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Cost of Living in Suwon

Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea · Population 1,234,300

▲ +8% vs South Korea average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₩1,516,127 ($1,099)
Couple, monthly₩2,751,949 ($1,994)
Family of four, monthly₩3,617,674 ($2,622)

Estimated Prices in Suwon

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₩14,159 ($10.26)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₩56,635 ($41.04)per meal
Cappuccino₩4,248 ($3.08)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₩320,933 ($233)per month
Monthly public transport pass₩51,916 ($37.62)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₩136,868 ($99.18)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₩39,645 ($28.73)per month
Fitness club membership₩39,645 ($28.73)per month
Cinema ticket₩10,383 ($7.52)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₩822,547 ($596)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₩572,207 ($415)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₩1,716,620 ($1,244)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Suwon is ₩4,090,320 ($2,964) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₩1,516,127 ($1,099) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₩1,970,964 ($1,428) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₩572,207 ($415)) represents about 38% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Suwon

Suwon vs SeoulSuwon vs BusanSuwon vs IncheonSuwon vs DaeguSuwon vs GwangjuSuwon vs Daejeon

Nearby Cities

Ŭiwang

8 km away · Gyeonggi

Pongnam

9 km away · Gyeonggi

Kunp’o

11 km away · Gyeonggi

Anyang

14 km away · Gyeonggi

Gwacheon

16 km away · Gyeonggi

Osan

17 km away · Gyeonggi

Ansan

17 km away · Gyeonggi

Tongjin

18 km away · Gyeonggi

Other Major Cities in South Korea

Seoul

Seoul · pop. 23,016,000

₩1,750,697 ($1,269) / mo

Busan

Busan · pop. 3,453,198

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Incheon

Incheon · pop. 3,049,315

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Daegu

Daegu · pop. 2,444,412

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Gwangju

Gwangju · pop. 1,490,092

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Daejeon

Daejeon · pop. 1,475,221

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Ulsan

Ulsan · pop. 1,127,553

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Tongjin

Gyeonggi · pop. 1,084,817

₩1,516,127 ($1,099) / mo

Living in Suwon

Suwon is one of the key cities in South Korea. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₩1,516,127 ($1,099), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₩572,207 ($415) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₩3,617,674 ($2,622) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₩2,751,949 ($1,994) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Suwon is ₩4,090,320 ($2,964). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₩1,970,964 ($1,428) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Suwon expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₩1,516,127 ($1,099) per month in Suwon including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for South Korea.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Suwon?
A net salary of around ₩1,970,964 ($1,428) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Suwon with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Suwon is ₩4,090,320 ($2,964).
How much is rent in Suwon?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₩822,547 ($596) per month in the city centre and ₩572,207 ($415) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₩1,716,620 ($1,244).
Is Suwon cheaper than South Korea on average?
No — Suwon is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the South Korea average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Suwon?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₩320,933 ($233) in Suwon. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₩14,159 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around ₩4,248 ($3).
How do transport costs in Suwon compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Suwon is estimated at ₩51,916 ($38). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Suwon are estimates based on South Korea national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,234,300). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.