Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students 2024

South Korea is an expensive destination for Indian students. The average monthly living expense for students in South Korea is Rs 65,000. This is an estimate of living expenses in South Korea, the actual cost might vary. The cost of living in South Korea for Indian students is about 199.3% higher than in India.

This Story also Contains

1. Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students 2024
2. Top Student Cities in South Korea 2024
3. Tips for Saving Money in South Korea

The actual cost of living in South Korea for international students depends on a variety of factors such as housing, food, clothing, and an individual's spending habits. Tuition fees and accommodation are the two most prominent variables determining Indian students' monthly spending in South Korea. An undergraduate degree in South Korea typically costs between Rs. 3 lakhs and INR 17 lakhs annually.

This article discusses the significant factors determining the cost of living in South Korea 2024 compared to India. Students wishing to study in South Korea should read the complete article to learn about differences in living expenses in popular South Korean cities, top university tuition fees, methods to save money in the country, and much more.

Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students 2024

The average living expenses in South Korea for international students is approximately Rs 60,000 per month. These living expenses are calculated by summing up all the basic expenditures such as accommodation, food, transportation, and utilities. All major expenses which one can expect while living in South Korea are mentioned in detail below:

Accommodation Cost in South Korea

Rent prices in Seoul are 245.1% more than in Delhi. Single-room lodging in South Korea costs between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 per month. However, outside the city centre, housing options are significantly more affordable.

Living Expenses in South Korea

Food Expenses in South Korea

The cost of food and restaurant meals in South Korea is quite expensive for Indian students. Restaurant prices in Seoul are 74.8% more than in Delhi. Students in South Korea must prepare their meals to save money on food. Grocery prices in Seoul are 270.6% more than in Delhi. Here's a breakdown of food expenses for Indian students in South Korea:

Cost of Food in South Korea

Cost of Living in South Korea: Clothes

Clothing prices in South Korea vary depending on several criteria, including brand, fabric quality, region, and season. Students might save money by shopping for clothes at flea markets, local businesses, or during sales.

Cost of Transportation in South Korea

Public transport in South Korea is more cheap than taxis and other modes of transportation. Students are encouraged to take public buses and trains to save money. The monthly public transport pass in South Korea costs around Rs. 3757. A one-way ticket for local transit costs roughly Rs 87.87. Other expenditures for transportation in South Korea are listed below.

Travel Expenses in South Korea

Utility Cost in South Korea

In addition to housing, food, and transportation fees, international students need to pay for water, electricity, mobile phone bills, internet charges, and other expenses. The cost of utilities in South Korea for Indian students is provided below.

Living Expenses for South Korea: Utilities

Cost of studying in South Korea

Tuition fees in South Korea are quite affordable for international students. Tuition fees in South Korea can vary widely depending on the university and program. On average, you can expect to pay between Rs. 3 lakhs and INR 17 lakhs per year. Apart from tuition fees, students are subjected to pay additional charges such as application fees, scholarship funds, sports association fees, and more. Candidates must check the official website of the university to learn more about the tuition fees, and other related costs.

Tuition Fee in South Korea for International Students

Also Read: Top Engineering Universities in South Korea

Top Student Cities in South Korea 2024

According to QS Best Student Cities 2025, Seoul, Daejeon, and Busan have been ranked among the top popular student cities in South Korea for international students. Seoul is ranked 3rd in the world with an overall score of 97.8, Daejeon is ranked 74th with an overall QS score of 66.2, while Busan is ranked 136th worldwide with an overall score of 48.6.

The cost of living in Seoul is the highest in the country and is approximately 176.4% higher than in India. However, the cost of rent is 207.8% higher than in India. The overall cost of living in both cities is approximately Rs 3 to Rs 4 lakhs per month for Indian Students.

QS Top Cities in South Korea

Cost of Living in South Korea vs India

Tips for Saving Money in South Korea

South Korea is highly expensive, as overseas students face heavy living costs. Living in South Korea can be financially challenging for Indian students, therefore they must budget their living expenses while studying there. Here are some excellent strategies for saving money while living in South Korea:

• Candidates can look for accommodations outside the city centre or share rent and utilities bills with roommates.

• Students could try home-cooked meals to save money on food and expensive restaurants; instead, they can visit the country's small Chinese and Korean restaurants.

• To save money, get a monthly transport pass and go by bus instead. Students can also walk or rent a bike to travel short distances.

• While shopping, take advantage of discounts at stores like Daiso or buy during sales. Students are recommended to utilise their student IDs to receive discounts.

• For sightseeing, go to free parks or festivals.

• Visit public clinics to receive low-cost medical care.

• Finally, make an expense tracker to help you manage your South Korean living expenses.