What Seoul actually looks, feels, and costs like for someone considering moving. Neighbourhoods, climate, transport, healthcare, safety, and the practical scaffolding — every figure sourced.
Country
South Korea
Asia
Population
9,411,000
municipal · 2024
Area
605 km²
Elevation
38 m
city centre
Time zone
Asia/Seoul
Currency
KRW
Airport
ICN,GMP · Incheon International Airport
Metro
9 metro lines
Walkability
●●●●○
editorial score · 1–5
Bike friendliness
●●●○○
editorial score · 1–5
Primary language
Korean is the working language. English common in Gangnam tech firms, multinationals, and international schools; elsewhere Korean is essential.
Seoul is a city of 9,411,000 people in South Korea (Asia). It is the capital. The main international airport is ICN (Incheon International Airport). The metro system has 9 lines.
A one-bedroom city-centre apartment runs approximately ₩1,500,000 (approximately €1,020) per month. Monthly groceries for one person run approximately ₩450,000. A monthly public-transport pass costs ₩60,000. Across the 100 cities Meridian tracks, Seoul ranks 45th overall on combined monthly essentials — in the middle of the range.
Seoul's climate is tropical wet — August is typically the warmest month with average highs around 30°C, while January is the coldest with average lows near -6°C. Annual rainfall totals approximately 1462mm, wettest in July.
Cost of living
Cost of living
Total monthly essentials: approximately €1,530/month EUR-equivalent for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). District and lifestyle swing this 30–50% either way.
Visa policy, taxation, healthcare, and broadband infrastructure are national rather than city-level — the numbers below are South Korea-wide context for someone weighing Seoul specifically. Each links through to the full country brief.
The Yoon administration announced a Global Talent Attraction Initiative for 2025 covering multiple visa streams — expansion of the Top-Tier Visa, broader F-2-7 points-based eligibility, and proposed 18-month "Global Talent Visa" for individuals with peer-recognised exceptional achievement. Implementation began January 2025; full rollout extends through 2026.
Who it affects: Future foreign-talent applicants across multiple visa categories.
The Minimum Wage Council raised the minimum hourly wage to ₩10,030 for 2025 (from ₩9,860 in 2024) — the first time the threshold crossed ₩10,000. Continues a multi-year trajectory under both Moon and Yoon administrations.
Who it affects: All low-wage Korean and non-Korean workers.
The Startup Korea programme launched September 2024 to consolidate the various foreign-founder pathways (D-8-4 Technology Startup, OASIS programme, K-Startup Grand Challenge) under a single more-streamlined process. KOTRA-coordinated; integrates Korean Visa Center fast-track lanes for selected applicants.
Who it affects: Non-Korean founders considering Korea as a startup base.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Seoul rents for around ₩1,500,000 (approximately €1,020) per month. Combined monthly essentials (rent + utilities + groceries + transit) total approximately €1,530 EUR-equivalent. Individual spend varies 30–50% by district and lifestyle.
Is Seoul expensive compared to other global cities?
Seoul ranks 45th out of 100 cities Meridian tracks for combined monthly living costs — in the affordable half, and 5th of 5 within South Korea. Rankings use EUR-normalised rent + utilities + groceries + transit.
What's the weather like in Seoul?
Seoul sees average summer highs of 30°C in August and winter lows of -6°C in January. Annual rainfall totals about 1462mm. Full monthly breakdown in the Climate section above.
What visa do I need to move to Seoul?
Seoul's visa regime is set at the national level — South Korea tracks 4 residence-permit routes including E-7 Foreign Skilled Worker, D-8 Corporate Investment, D-10 Job Seeker / Top-Tier, among others. See the South Korea country brief for full eligibility, salary thresholds, and processing times.
How do you get around in Seoul?
Seoul has 9 metro lines; the city centre is highly walkable (Meridian editorial score 4/5). Monthly transit pass cost is in the breakdown above.
What language is spoken in Seoul?
Korean is the working language. English common in Gangnam tech firms, multinationals, and international schools; elsewhere Korean is essential.
What is the main airport for Seoul?
Seoul's primary international airport is ICN (Incheon International Airport). Secondary airports include GMP.