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Expat Exchange - Cost of Living in Daegu 2024
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Cost of Living in Daegu

By Betsy Burlingame

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Summary: Understanding the the cost of living in Daegu helps a newcomer what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more.

Category Cost
Apartment Rentals (1 bedroom in city center) Approximately 500,000 KRW to 700,000 KRW per month
Apartment Rentals (1 bedroom outside city center) Approximately 300,000 KRW to 500,000 KRW per month
Apartment Purchase (Price per square meter in city center) Approximately 10,000,000 KRW to 12,000,000 KRW
Apartment Purchase (Price per square meter outside city center) Approximately 6,000,000 KRW to 8,000,000 KRW
Transportation (Monthly Pass) Approximately 55,000 KRW
Transportation (Taxi, 1km) Approximately 1,200 KRW
Groceries (Milk, 1 liter) Approximately 2,000 KRW
Groceries (Bread, 500g) Approximately 2,500 KRW
Groceries (Rice, 1kg) Approximately 4,000 KRW
Restaurants (Meal at an inexpensive restaurant) Approximately 7,000 KRW
Restaurants (Three-course meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant) Approximately 40,000 KRW
Utilities (Basic: Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage for 85m2 Apartment) Approximately 150,000 KRW to 200,000 KRW per month
Private School Tuition (Preschool) Approximately 500,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW per month
Private School Tuition (Elementary School) Approximately 1,000,000 KRW to 2,000,000 KRW per month
Private School Tuition (Middle School) Approximately 1,500,000 KRW to 2,500,000 KRW per month
Private School Tuition (High School) Approximately 2,000,000 KRW to 3,000,000 KRW per month
Please note that these are average costs and can vary depending on the specific location within Daegu, the quality of the goods or services, and other factors. Also, the exchange rate between the Korean Won (KRW) and other currencies can fluctuate, which can affect the cost in terms of those currencies.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Daegu

"The cost of living in Daegu is relatively affordable compared to other major cities in South Korea like Seoul or Busan. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is moderately priced, while outside the city center, it is significantly cheaper. The cost of utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage is also reasonable. Groceries in Daegu are quite affordable, with local markets offering fresh produce at lower prices. Eating out at inexpensive restaurants is also quite cheap, while a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant can be a bit more expensive. Public transportation in Daegu is very affordable, with a one-way ticket on local transport being quite cheap. Taxis start at a reasonable rate, but the cost can add up if used frequently. Healthcare in Daegu is of high quality and is reasonably priced. Both public and private hospitals offer services at affordable rates. Overall, the cost of living in Daegu is lower than in other major South Korean cities, making it an attractive place for both locals and expats," said one expat living in Daegu.

Can I live in Daegu on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Daegu for a few years now and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $1,500 a month, but it does require some careful budgeting and lifestyle adjustments. For housing, I'd recommend looking at neighborhoods like Dalseo-gu or Suseong-gu. They're a bit further from the city center, but the cost of living is more affordable. You can find a decent one-bedroom apartment for around $500 a month. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Dong-gu or Jung-gu are more expensive, so you might want to avoid those if you're on a tight budget. Food can be quite cheap if you stick to local cuisine. Eating out at local restaurants or street food stalls can cost you around $5-$10 per meal. If you prefer cooking at home, groceries are also reasonably priced. However, if you're used to eating Western food, it can be a bit more expensive. Transportation is also quite affordable. The subway and bus system are efficient and cheap, costing around $1 per ride. Taxis are also relatively cheap compared to Western countries. As for utilities, expect to pay around $100-$150 per month for electricity, water, and internet. The biggest sacrifice you might have to make is probably related to entertainment and leisure activities. Going out for drinks, attending concerts or events, or traveling to other parts of Korea can add up quickly. But if you're willing to explore local, less touristy spots and enjoy the city's parks and free cultural events, you can definitely make it work. Healthcare is also something to consider. While it's relatively cheap compared to the US, it's still an expense. If you're employed in Korea, you'll be covered by the national health insurance, but if not, you'll need to budget for private insurance or out-of-pocket costs. In conclusion, living in Daegu on $1,500 a month is doable, but it requires some adjustments and careful budgeting. It's all about finding the right balance between your needs and wants, and being open to experiencing the local lifestyle," commented an expat living in Daegu.

Can I live in Daegu on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Daegu for a few years now and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, but it does require some budgeting and planning. The cost of living in Daegu is lower than in Seoul or Busan, but it's still a city with modern amenities. Rent is probably going to be your biggest expense. If you want to live in a modern apartment in a popular area like Dongseongno or Suseong-gu, you could be looking at paying over $1,000 a month. However, there are cheaper options available. I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Dalseo-gu, which is a bit further out but still has good transport links, and I pay around $500 a month. Utilities and internet add another $100 or so. Food can be quite cheap if you eat local cuisine. I spend about $300 a month on groceries and eating out. I've found that Korean restaurants are generally cheaper than Western ones, and the food is delicious. If you're a fan of Western food, you might have to budget a bit more for groceries as imported goods can be expensive. Transportation is very affordable. The subway and bus systems are extensive and a one-way ticket costs less than $1. I spend about $50 a month on transportation. Healthcare is also quite affordable. The national health insurance scheme covers about 70% of medical costs, and I pay about $100 a month for it. As for entertainment, there's plenty to do in Daegu that doesn't cost a lot. There are beautiful parks, mountains for hiking, and lots of cultural events. I spend about $200 a month on entertainment. So, all in all, I spend about $1,250 a month, which leaves me with plenty of money for savings and unexpected expenses. Of course, everyone's lifestyle and spending habits are different, so you might need to adjust these numbers based on your own needs and preferences. But in my experience, $3,000 a month is more than enough to live comfortably in Daegu," said one expat living in Daegu.

Can I live in Daegu on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Daegu for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $5,000 a month is more than possible, it's actually quite comfortable. The cost of living here is significantly lower than in cities like Seoul or Busan. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center would cost you around $500-$700 per month, while outside the city center, you could find something for as low as $300-$500. If you're looking for more upscale accommodations, neighborhoods like Beomeo-dong and Suseong-gu are known for their luxury apartments and villas, but the prices can go up to $1,500 or more per month. On the other hand, if you're looking for more affordable options, neighborhoods like Chilseong-dong or Daebong-dong offer cheaper rents and are still quite nice. As for utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, you're looking at around $100-$150 per month. Internet and mobile phone services are quite cheap, around $30-$50 per month. Groceries are also reasonably priced. You can expect to spend around $200-$300 per month if you cook at home. Eating out is also quite affordable, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing around $6-$10, and a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around $20-$30. Transportation is also quite cheap. A one-way ticket on local transport costs less than $1, and a monthly pass is around $30. Taxis start at around $2 and increase by about $0.60 per kilometer. As for entertainment, movie tickets are around $8, and a monthly gym membership is around $40-$60. If you like to go out for drinks, a domestic beer in a bar will cost you around $3-$4, and a cocktail around $6-$8. So, as you can see, living on $5,000 a month in Daegu is not only doable, but you can live quite comfortably without making any major sacrifices. Of course, everyone's lifestyle and spending habits are different, but in general, you should be able to enjoy all the modern amenities you're used to without breaking the bank," commented an expat living in Daegu.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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