Seoul vs Ulsan Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Ulsan leads on CPI (39.3 vs 71.6, NYC=100), Ulsan leads on rent index, and Seoul leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Ulsan
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Housing (75% gap, Ulsan ahead); Utilities (75% gap, Ulsan ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $1,338 lower in Ulsan than in Seoul (~74% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $1,338 (favoring Ulsan).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Ulsan | CPI 39.3 vs 71.6 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Ulsan | Rent index 12.1 vs 47.9 (lower is better) |
| Food | Ulsan | Groceries index 60.2 vs 92.5 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Ulsan | One-way ticket 1044.52 vs 2117.06 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Ulsan | Utilities (85m²) 33396 vs 132204 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Ulsan | Internet 45402 vs 64335.6 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Ulsan | Restaurant index 30 vs 68.5 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Seoul | Avg net salary 11003016 vs 4303668 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Seoul | PP index 128.6 vs 50.3 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Housing: Ulsan leads with a 75% gap.
Rent index 12.1 vs 47.9 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Ulsan — Lower housing / rent index (75% gap).
- Families: Ulsan — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Ulsan; purchasing power favors Seoul.
- Remote Workers: Ulsan — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Ulsan (~45% gap).
- Budget Living: Ulsan — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Ulsan is the overall cost winner on CPI (~45% lower everyday-cost index than Seoul).
- Housing: Ulsan leads on rent index (75% gap).
- Food / groceries: Ulsan is lower (35% gap).
- Purchasing power: Seoul scores higher (61% gap).
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$1,338 cheaper in Ulsan.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 71.6/39.3, rent 47.9/12.1, purchasing power 128.6/50.3. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Regional
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Regional.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.