SEOUL, BUSAN AND DAEJEON COMPARED – WHICH CITY SHOULD INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CHOOSE IN SOUTH KOREA?

When preparing to study in South Korea, students usually focus on universities, tuition fees, admission requirements and part-time work opportunities. However, another factor can have a major impact on the study-abroad experience: the city where you will live and study.

Seoul, Busan and Daejeon all have large international student populations, but they differ considerably in terms of accommodation, transport, living costs, climate, culture and the overall study environment.

According to 2025 figures, among the 253,434 international students enrolled at higher education institutions in South Korea, Seoul had around 82,911, Busan 18,630, and Daejeon 13,478 international students.

Rather than asking “Which city is the best?”, students and parents should ask:

“Which city is the right fit for my field of study, budget and lifestyle?”

The following comparison is designed to help students and parents consider the key factors before making a decision.

1. SEOUL – BUSAN – DAEJEON AT A GLANCE

This table is intended as a general guide rather than a ranking of the three cities.

2. SEOUL – MORE UNIVERSITIES, SERVICES AND A FAST-PACED LIFESTYLE

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and has the largest international student population among the three cities compared here.

One of Seoul's main characteristics is choice. Students have a wide range of universities, academic programmes, accommodation options, transport services and cultural activities.

In terms of higher education, Seoul offers programmes across a broad range of fields, including business, information technology, engineering, media, design, the arts, social sciences and languages.

The city also has an extensive subway and bus network, making it convenient for travelling between home, university, part-time jobs and other destinations.

However, the size of the city also means a fast pace of life, high population density and the need to plan accommodation costs carefully.

Actual living costs depend on lifestyle and location. Study in Korea currently gives a general estimate of around KRW 750,000–1,000,000 per month for international students' living expenses in South Korea, although actual costs can vary considerably depending on the city and type of accommodation.

Students can also refer to the Tohoku article Can Part-time Work Income Cover the Living Costs of International Students in South Korea? for further information about the relationship between part-time income and living expenses.

Seoul may be worth considering if you:

• Want a wide choice of universities and academic programmes.

• Prefer living in a large city.

• Want access to a wide range of cultural, entertainment and commercial services.

• Are comfortable with a fast-paced urban environment.

• Can plan your finances carefully.

3. BUSAN – A COASTAL CITY WITH A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE FROM SEOUL

Busan had approximately 18,630 international students in 2025 and is one of South Korea's major urban and educational centres.

The most noticeable difference between Busan and Seoul is its coastal location and port-city character.

Students living in Busan can experience an environment closely connected with the sea, tourism, services, restaurants and outdoor activities.

Busan has a subway and bus network serving the main areas of the city. Choosing accommodation close to the university or public transport is still important for saving both time and money.

Climate is another factor worth considering. Winters in Busan are generally warmer than in Seoul. According to climate data from Visit Korea, the average January high is around 2.1°C in Seoul compared with approximately 8.2°C in Busan, while the average January low is around -5.5°C and -0.1°C respectively.

Busan is also home to a range of universities and programmes for international students. Students can explore institutions such as Pusan National University, Pusan University of Foreign Studies, Dong-A University and other higher education institutions.

In terms of part-time work, Busan has opportunities in services, restaurants, retail and tourism. However, actual opportunities depend on Korean language ability, location, study schedules and visa regulations.

Busan may be worth considering if you:

• Want to study in a major city without necessarily living in Seoul.

• Like coastal environments and outdoor activities.

• Are interested in tourism, services or business.

• Want to experience a cultural environment different from the capital.

• Consider climate differences between different parts of South Korea important.

4. DAEJEON – AN ENVIRONMENT FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Daejeon had approximately 13,478 international students in 2025.

Compared with Seoul and Busan, Daejeon is smaller in scale but has an important role in South Korea's education, research and science and technology sectors.

The city is home to universities such as KAIST, Chungnam National University, Hanbat National University and Daejeon University, among others.

Daejeon is particularly worth exploring for students interested in:

• Science.

• Engineering.

• Information technology.

• Technology.

• Research.

In terms of lifestyle, Daejeon does not offer the same level of urban activity as Seoul, nor does it have Busan's coastal character. On the other hand, the city has many student areas and university communities, which can suit students who want to focus more heavily on their studies.

Public transport includes the subway and buses, providing convenient access to major areas of the city.

Daejeon may be worth considering if you:

• Are interested in science and technology.

• Want to focus strongly on your studies.

• Prefer a moderately sized city.

• Are less concerned about large-scale urban entertainment.

• Want to explore options beyond Seoul and Busan.

5. ACCOMMODATION – A COST THAT SHOULD BE CALCULATED BEFORE CHOOSING A CITY

Accommodation can make a significant difference to a student's overall budget.

Students can choose university accommodation or private housing. Costs depend on:

• The city.

• The neighbourhood.

• Distance from the university.

• Type of room.

• Deposit.

• Management fees and other charges.

Seoul offers many accommodation options, but parents should pay particular attention to rent and deposits.

Busan and Daejeon also have many student-oriented areas, but it should not be assumed that every cost will automatically be lower than in Seoul.

When comparing accommodation, consider the total cost, rather than looking only at monthly rent.

A cheaper room located far from the university may result in higher transport costs and longer daily journeys.

6. TRANSPORT – CONSIDER TIME AS WELL AS MONEY

Transport has a direct impact on students' daily lives.

Seoul: has a very extensive subway and bus network, connecting a large number of areas.

Busan: has a subway and bus network covering the city's main areas.

Daejeon: has a subway and bus network, while the city's smaller urban scale can make daily travel more manageable depending on the location of the university and accommodation.

When choosing accommodation, students should ask:

“How much time will I spend travelling from home to university every day?”

rather than simply:

“How much is the rent?”

7. FOOD AND DAILY EXPENSES

All three cities offer:

• University cafeterias.

• Convenience stores.

• Supermarkets.

• Restaurants.

• Student-oriented dining areas.

The main differences often come down to individual lifestyle and location.

A student who cooks regularly, lives in university accommodation or shares a property will manage their budget differently from someone who rents a private room and frequently eats out.

Therefore, families should include personal spending in their financial planning rather than calculating only tuition and accommodation costs.

8. CLIMATE AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT

For Vietnamese students, climate is an important factor to consider.

Seoul: has distinctly cold winters.

Busan: generally has warmer winters than Seoul because of its southern location and maritime influence.

Daejeon: is inland and also experiences cold winters.

Students should consider not only temperature but also the overall living environment:

9. PART-TIME WORK – LOOK AT THE REALITIES

Part-time work is an important concern for many international students, but it should not be used as the only criterion when choosing a city.

Actual opportunities depend on:

• Korean language ability.

• Visa and work eligibility.

• Study schedule.

• Location.

• Type of job.

• Regulations on part-time employment.

Seoul has a large service and business market.

Busan has significant activity in services, tourism, restaurants and retail.

Daejeon has service sectors serving students and local residents, as well as a strong presence of businesses, research institutions and technology-related organisations.

Students should remember that a city having many part-time jobs does not mean that an individual student will automatically find a job.

Part-time work should be treated as part of a financial plan, rather than the foundation of the entire plan.

Before starting work, students should check their visa conditions and any required procedures. For more information, see the Tohoku article TOPIK 2, TOPIK 3 and TOPIK 4: Part-time Work Requirements for International Students in South Korea.

10. HEALTH INSURANCE AND OTHER COSTS THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED

In addition to tuition, accommodation and food, international students need to budget for expenses such as health insurance, mobile phone services, internet, transport and personal spending.

International students holding a D-2 visa are generally covered by the National Health Insurance system subject to the applicable conditions. For 2026, Tohoku's guidance indicates an average monthly contribution of KRW 158,630 for foreigners under the relevant regional contribution system, with D-2 international students eligible for a 50% reduction under the applicable rules, giving a reference figure of approximately KRW 79,320 per month.

For more information, see National Health Insurance in South Korea for D-2 International Students.

When preparing a budget, families should also set aside an emergency fund rather than calculating only fixed expenses.

11. UNIVERSITIES – CHOOSE THE FIELD AND UNIVERSITY BEFORE CHOOSING THE CITY

A practical decision-making process can be:

Field of study → University → Tuition → Scholarships → Accommodation → Living costs → Transport → Living environment → Post-graduation plans.

Students should not start with:

“I want to study in Seoul.”

If you are interested in science, engineering or technology, Daejeon has a number of universities worth exploring.

If you want a broad choice of programmes, universities and urban activities, Seoul offers a wider range of options.

If you want to study in a major city with a coastal environment and a distinctive local culture, Busan has its own characteristics to consider.

Ultimately, however, the most important factor remains the specific university and academic programme.

12. WHICH CITY MAY SUIT YOU?

A simple way to approach the decision is:

If you prioritise variety:
Seoul offers a wide range of universities, academic programmes, services and activities.

If you enjoy the sea and coastal life:
Busan offers a living environment very different from Seoul.

If you are interested in science and technology:
Daejeon is a city worth exploring.

If transport is important to you:
All three cities have public transport systems, although their scale and connectivity differ.

If you are concerned about living costs:
Do not compare cities only at a general level. Compare the specific university, accommodation, neighbourhood and lifestyle.

If you are concerned about part-time work:
Consider the city together with your Korean language ability, visa conditions, study schedule and employment regulations.

13. WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS AND PARENTS CONSIDER BEFORE DECIDING?

Before making a decision, students and parents can discuss these seven questions:

1. What do I want to study?

2. Which universities offer suitable programmes?

3. How much can my family afford each year?

4. How much will accommodation cost near the university?

5. Is the city suitable for my personality and ability to adapt?

6. Do I plan to work part-time legally?

7. What do I want to do after graduation?

Answering these questions can make the choice between Seoul, Busan and Daejeon much more concrete.

14. CONCLUSION

Seoul, Busan and Daejeon each have their own characteristics.

Seoul stands out for its urban scale, universities, transport network, services and cultural activities.

Busan is characterised by its coastal environment, tourism, services and generally warmer winters than Seoul.

Daejeon is particularly associated with education, science, engineering and technology, within a smaller urban environment.

There is no single choice that suits every international student.

The most useful approach is to compare the three cities based on practical factors:

University – field of study – tuition fees – accommodation – living costs – transport – climate – culture – part-time work – living environment – post-graduation plans.

By considering these factors together, students can identify the city that fits their own circumstances, rather than choosing simply because it is famous or because many Vietnamese people live there.

Studying abroad is not only about choosing a university. It is also about choosing a living environment for several years.

THÔNG TIN LIÊN HỆ

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