Which South Korean city has the highest rent for international students, and how does Seoul compare with Daegu?
Seoul is usually the most expensive city in South Korea for international students, mainly because of private housing. A central 1BHK in Seoul costs around KRW 1,287,500 a month, compared with about KRW 564,694 in Daegu, so regional cities can be far cheaper.
Seoul is usually the most expensive city for international students in South Korea. A central 1BHK there costs around KRW 1,287,500 (approx INR 91,284) a month, against about KRW 564,694 (approx INR 40,037) in Daegu.
1BHK rent by city (monthly)
| City | 1BHK city centre | 1BHK outside centre |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 1,287,500 (approx INR 91,284) | 872,105 (approx INR 61,832) |
| Busan | 965,714 (approx INR 68,469) | 489,750 (approx INR 34,723) |
| Incheon | 823,383 (approx INR 58,378) | 491,570 (approx INR 34,852) |
| Daejeon | 500,000 (approx INR 35,450) | 400,000 (approx INR 28,360) |
| Daegu | 564,694 (approx INR 40,037) | 366,294 (approx INR 25,970) |
| Gwangju | 675,000 (approx INR 47,858) | 483,333 (approx INR 34,268) |
Seoul vs Daegu
- Outside the centre, a 1BHK in Seoul is about KRW 872,105 (approx INR 61,832) a month, while Daegu is about KRW 366,294 (approx INR 25,970).
- Regional cities such as Daegu can offer lower rental costs than Seoul.
My Advice
If budget is a priority, include regional cities on your shortlist, and check university housing before you commit to private rent. These are crowd-sourced averages, so verify current listings.
How much will a month in South Korea cost you?
Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.
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