πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea's #1 Expat Living Platform

Everything You Need
to Live in Korea.

From visa applications to apartment hunting β€” settlykorea is your all-in-one guide for every stage of life in Korea.

200+

Living Guides

7

Visa Types

6

Cities Covered

5

Languages

πŸ—’ Korea Setup Checklist

Your Step-by-Step Korea Setup Guide

Everything you need to do β€” from booking flights to settling in.

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View Full Checklist (All 20 Steps) β†’
πŸ’° Cost of Living Calculator

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Korea?

Estimate your monthly budget based on city, housing type, and number of people.

1
Total Monthly Estimate
πŸ™

Seoul

Total Monthly Estimate

β‚©1,835,000

β‰ˆ $1,198 USD

🏠Rent
β‚©700,000
🍜Food
β‚©950,000
🚌Transport
β‚©65,000
πŸ’‘Utilities
β‚©120,000

* Estimates based on average costs as of 2026. Actual costs may vary.

πŸ“‹ Visa Finder

Find the Right Korean Visa

Select your purpose to see which visa you need.

Korea City Guides

Where should you live? Compare cities by cost, vibe, and lifestyle.

πŸ™

Seoul

The Vibrant Capital

Very High

Korea's capital and largest city. Home to 10 million people, Seoul blends cutting-edge tech with deep tradition. World-class food, nightlife, and career opportunities.

Avg Rent

β‚©700,000–₩1,500,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©8,000–₩12,000

View Seoul Guide β†’
πŸ–

Busan

Korea's Beach City

Medium

Korea's second-largest city with a beautiful coastline. Busan offers a relaxed vibe, incredible seafood, and a growing tech scene at 60–70% the cost of Seoul.

Avg Rent

β‚©400,000–₩900,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©7,000–₩10,000

View Busan Guide β†’
🌿

Jeju

Korea's Island Paradise

Medium

Korea's volcanic island province. A UNESCO World Heritage site popular with digital nomads, retirees, and nature lovers. Car-dependent but uniquely beautiful.

Avg Rent

β‚©350,000–₩800,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©8,000–₩13,000

View Jeju Guide β†’
✈️

Incheon

Gateway to Korea

Medium

Home to Korea's main international airport and a free economic zone. A practical base for frequent travelers, with direct Seoul subway access.

Avg Rent

β‚©400,000–₩800,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©7,000–₩10,000

View Incheon Guide β†’
πŸ”¬

Daejeon

Korea's Science City

Low

Korea's science and research hub, home to KAIST and ETRI. Centrally located with fast KTX access to Seoul. Popular with researchers and university students.

Avg Rent

β‚©300,000–₩700,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©6,000–₩9,000

View Daejeon Guide β†’
🌢

Daegu

The Fashion City

Low

Korea's fourth-largest city, known as a fashion hub and gateway to southeastern Korea. Hot summers, affordable living, and vibrant local food culture.

Avg Rent

β‚©300,000–₩650,000/mo

Avg Meal

β‚©6,500–₩9,000

View Daegu Guide β†’

Ready to Start Your Korea Journey?

Follow our step-by-step Korea Setup Checklist to get everything done β€” from your visa to your first apartment.