What your rent budget gets you in Seoul

Pick a monthly budget. These are the neighborhoods and districts where the median new lease fits it, with the deposit you would also pay upfront.

For $500 a month

Studio-size place (under 33 m²), by neighborhood

11 of 15 fit this budget

33–60 m², by neighborhood

1 of 15 fit this budget

Apartment 40–70 m², by district

None at this budget; the cheapest median is $561/mo.

For $700 a month

Studio-size place (under 33 m²), by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

33–60 m², by neighborhood

11 of 15 fit this budget

Apartment 40–70 m², by district

3 of 25 fit this budget

For $1,000 a month

Studio-size place (under 33 m²), by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

33–60 m², by neighborhood

13 of 15 fit this budget

Apartment 40–70 m², by district

8 of 25 fit this budget

For $1,500 a month

Studio-size place (under 33 m²), by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

33–60 m², by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

Apartment 40–70 m², by district

21 of 25 fit this budget

For $2,000 a month

Studio-size place (under 33 m²), by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

33–60 m², by neighborhood

15 of 15 fit this budget

Apartment 40–70 m², by district

25 of 25 fit this budget

These are medians: about half the new leases in each place cost less and half cost more. The deposit is paid upfront and returned when you move out. Rent here excludes maintenance fees and utilities. The deposit is usually many times one month's rent.

New leases only: renewals and public or subsidized housing are left out. Medians of the latest three months whose 30-day reporting window has closed. Monthly rent and its deposit are separate medians, leaving out near-jeonse leases whose deposit exceeds 240 months of rent.

Source: Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport lease and sale records (data.go.kr), converted at the Bank of Korea KRW/USD rate on each contract date. Processed by AptDollar.

For reference only, not legal or financial advice.