Is Busan South Korea cheap? Do they speak English in Busan South Korea?

If you are planning to visit or live in Busan, you might be wondering how much it costs and how easy it is to communicate with the locals.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Busan is lower than in Seoul but higher than in other cities in South Korea. For example, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs about 8,500 won ($7) in Busan, compared to 10,000 won ($8.4) in Seoul and 7,000 won ($5.9) in Daegu.

A monthly pass for public transportation costs 60,000 won ($50.4) in Busan, compared to 75,000 won ($63) in Seoul and 55,000 won ($46.2) in Daegu.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs about 600,000 won ($504) per month in Busan, compared to 900,000 won ($756) in Seoul and 400,000 won ($336) in Daegu.

The average cost of living in Busan is $1067, which is close to the world’s average cost of living, ranked 4704th out of 9294 in our global list and 16th out of 87 in South Korea. The median after-tax salary is $2192, which is enough to cover living expenses for 2.1 months.

As for English proficiency, Busan is not very different from other major cities in South Korea. Most people can speak some basic English, especially young people and those who work in tourism or hospitality.