Seoul average 1-bed rent: ₩1,150,000/mo Year-on-year rent increase: +4.5% Jeonse fraud concerns push renters to monthly rent Seoul wolse rents at record Gangnam demand remains strong Monthly rent (wolse) usually requires a large deposit; jeonse is deposit-only. Register your move-in (jeonip singo) and get a fixed date to protect your deposit. Seoul average 1-bed rent: ₩1,150,000/mo Year-on-year rent increase: +4.5% Jeonse fraud concerns push renters to monthly rent Seoul wolse rents at record Gangnam demand remains strong Monthly rent (wolse) usually requires a large deposit; jeonse is deposit-only. Register your move-in (jeonip singo) and get a fixed date to protect your deposit.
South Korea · Rent guide
Seoul Rent Guide 2026
Average rent costs by neighbourhood, yearly rent increases and tenant rights in Seoul. The typical one-bedroom rent is ₩1,150,000 per month, up 4.5% year on year.
Average rent by neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | Yearly increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangnam | ₩1,600,000 | ₩2,500,000 | +4% |
| Yongsan | ₩1,400,000 | ₩2,200,000 | +4.3% |
| Mapo | ₩1,150,000 | ₩1,700,000 | +4.8% |
| Nowon | ₩800,000 | ₩1,150,000 | +4.2% |
Indicative 2026 figures (per month, KRW). Compare with real tenant-reported rents on RentScore.
Average rent per square metre in Seoul
₩23,000 / m² per month
City-wide indicative average, based on a typical 50 m² one-bedroom flat. Central neighbourhoods cost more:
- Gangnam: ₩32,000 / m²
- Yongsan: ₩28,000 / m²
- Mapo: ₩23,000 / m²
- Nowon: ₩16,000 / m²
Deposit laws in Seoul
- Monthly rent (wolse) usually requires a large deposit; jeonse is deposit-only.
- Register your move-in (jeonip singo) and get a fixed date to protect your deposit.
- Always get a written inventory with dated photos at move-in to protect your deposit.
How do foreigners and expats without a local credit score find a home in Seoul with RentScore?
- Check the building first: read verified tenant reviews, rent history and street safety on RentScore before you contact a landlord.
- Know the fair price: use the neighbourhood averages above and the RentScore rent estimate so you are not overcharged as a newcomer.
- Replace the missing credit score: offer an employment contract, recent payslips, a reference from your previous landlord and your RentScore rental history.
- Consider a rent guarantee service or a larger (but legal) deposit instead of a local guarantor — never pay more than the legal limit shown above.
- Upload your lease to the free RentScore contract check: RentScore flags hidden clauses, unfair rent increases and deposit traps in your own language.
- Ask the RentScore advisor below any local question, in any language.
Tenant rights in Seoul
- Monthly rent (wolse) usually requires a large deposit; jeonse is deposit-only.
- Register your move-in (jeonip singo) and get a fixed date to protect your deposit.
- Renewal increases are capped at 5% under the Lease Protection Act.
- Tenants can request one 2-year renewal.
Ask the RentScore advisor about renting in Seoul
Ask anything about rents here
For example: Which neighbourhood is cheapest for a 2-bedroom? Can my landlord raise the rent twice a year?
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