Cost of living in Daegu
Daegu, a vibrant city in South Korea, offers a unique blend of traditional culture and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone planning to move or visit.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Daegu, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $7.87 on average, with a range between $5.72 and $10.73.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $36.38, with prices ranging from $28.6 to $55.78.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $6.44, with a range between $5.36 and $6.79.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.43 to $3.6, imported beer $3.93 to $5.8, cappuccino $2.15 to $5.01, and Coke/Pepsi $1.22 to $1.79.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $2.12 and $2.53 per liter, averaging $2.37.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.29 and $6.44, with an average price of $4.86.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.72 to $3.32, averaging $2.79.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $3.58 to $13.59 per kg, while oranges range from $3.58 to $7.15 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.92 and $7.15 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.43 to $7.15 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.04 and $1.07, with a monthly pass priced at $71.51.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.07 and $1.16 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.93, with a cost of $0.36 to $0.72 per km and $8.58 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $357.56 to $429.07, averaging $383.2.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $178.78 to $321.8, averaging $257.88.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $715.12 to $2073.85, averaging $1182.53.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $429.07 to $1787.8, averaging $598.68.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $5720.95 to $9410, averaging $7000.77.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $7151.19 to $14302.38, averaging $9564.52.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $121.57 and $393.32, averaging $262.21.
- Internet - Internet services range from $14.3 to $67.94, with an average cost of $20.02.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for South Korea are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in South Korea, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
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Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
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Sports And Leisure
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Clothing And Shoes
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Buy Apartment Price
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Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Daegu offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in South Korea. Housing is notably less expensive, especially outside the city centre.
Dining out is affordable, with a variety of options ranging from inexpensive meals to mid-range dining experiences.
Transportation costs are low, with affordable public transport and taxi services. However, owning a car can be costly due to gasoline prices.
Grocery prices are moderate, with some variation in the cost of fresh produce and imported goods.
Conclusion
Overall, Daegu presents a cost-effective living environment, making it an attractive option for both locals and expatriates.
The city's affordable housing and dining options, combined with reasonable transportation costs, contribute to a balanced lifestyle.
Potential residents should consider the variability in utility costs and plan accordingly to manage monthly expenses effectively.