South Korea · Asia
Busan
Costs last verified
Part of the Cost of Living Abroad guideMonthly cost
$1,665Estimate for a solo remote worker — verify current local prices.
Studying here? About $1,120/mo
Studying here? Reckon on roughly 35% less. Shared halls instead of a private flat is most of it, with a meal plan, a student travel pass and a campus you do not have to rent a desk in doing the rest. Phone, insurance and a social life cost the same either way.
At a glance
Healthcare, taxes & language
The decisive three for a longer stay in South Korea.
Healthcare
Universal National Health Insurance covers ~97% of residents; large public and private hospitals in Seoul and Busan offer high-quality care with short waits and international clinics.
Taxes
Residents are taxed on worldwide income including foreign pensions, but a foreign national resident for 5 years or less within the past 10 years is taxed on foreign-source income only if it is paid in or remitted to Korea.
English
Moderate — English is widely taught and signage/transport in Seoul and Busan is bilingual, but conversational English is limited outside tourist areas, international clinics and younger urban professionals.
Getting in — South Korea
Full South Korea guideTop visa routes, ranked by route score — stay, ease and speed.
D-2 Student Visa
Length of the course, extendable
Workation Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D)
1 year, extendable by 1 year
Similar places in Asia
Comparable cost, same part of the world. Compare side by side →
Busan at a glance
Busan, South Korea costs about $1,665 USD a month for a solo remote worker, with rent at 42% of that budget. The biggest budget line is rent at $700 and the smallest is transport at $45. In our data internet averages 280 Mbps and safety scores 9/10. Similar cities range from Addu City at $1,640 a month to Bangkok at $1,720.
Costs verified on September 11, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Questions about Busan
How much does it cost to live in Busan?
A solo remote worker in Busan, South Korea spends an estimated $1,665 USD/month on rent, food, transport and coworking, based on our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much is rent in Busan?
Rent in Busan is an estimated $700 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How fast is the internet in Busan?
Internet in Busan averages 280 Mbps in our cost-of-living breakdown.
How much does coworking cost in Busan?
A coworking space in Busan costs an estimated $140 USD/month in our cost-of-living breakdown.
Is Busan safe?
Busan has a safety score of 9/10 in our cost-of-living breakdown.
What is Busan's nomad score?
Busan scores 7/10 on our nomad score, which weighs cost, safety and internet quality for remote workers.