Retire Modestly in Seoul, KR (2026)
Small apartment, cook at home, public transit, minimal travel. In Seoul (COL 73), this costs $1,933/month — a $9K less than the US average.
Monthly budget breakdown
Estimated monthly expenses for a modest retirement in Seoul (COL-adjusted from national baseline).
| Category | Monthly | Annual | % of budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $638 | $7,656 | 33% |
| Food | $290 | $3,480 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $271 | $3,252 | 14% |
| Transport | $232 | $2,784 | 12% |
| Leisure | $271 | $3,252 | 14% |
| Misc | $232 | $2,784 | 12% |
| Total | $1,933 | $23,200 | 100% |
How long to save $580K?
Time to reach your nest egg target investing at 7% annual return (S&P 500 historical avg).
| Monthly savings | Years to retire | Retirement age (start 30) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000/mo | 22 yrs | Age 52 |
| $2,000/mo | 15 yrs | Age 45 |
| $3,000/mo | 11 yrs | Age 41 |
| $5,000/mo | 8 yrs | Age 38 |
| $8,000/mo | 6 yrs | Age 36 |
Seoul vs US average — Modest retirement
Other retirement tiers in Seoul
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modest retirement cost in Seoul?
A modest retirement in Seoul costs approximately $23,200/year or $1,933/month — based on a 73 cost-of-living index (US avg = 100). Using the 4% safe withdrawal rule, you need a nest egg of about $580K.
How long will it take to save $580K for retirement in Seoul?
Saving $2,000/month at a 7% average annual return would take roughly 15 years to accumulate $580K. At $3,000/month, it would take about 11 years. These estimates assume consistent investing in a diversified portfolio.
What is the biggest expense in a modest retirement in Seoul?
Housing is the largest expense at roughly 33% of the budget ($638/month). Healthcare ($271/month) is the second-largest category.
4% safe withdrawal rule · 7% annualized return assumption · COL-adjusted from BLS data · Q1 2026 estimates