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Analytics
Busan, South Korea 🇰🇷
#795
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
52%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Seoul; cheaper than many Western cities but still higher than Southeast Asian hubs.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
48%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be high in popular expat and beach areas; affordable options exist outside city center.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food are affordable; imported goods and dining out at Western-style restaurants are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
81%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and inexpensive, with extensive subway and bus networks.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for movies, bars, and cultural events; nightlife can be affordable depending on venue.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced; premium facilities cost more but basic gyms are accessible.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is relatively stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
94%
Weight: 100
One of the fastest and most reliable internet infrastructures globally.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
72%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces, especially near Haeundae and Seomyeon districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
85%
Weight: 30
Abundant cafes with free WiFi, popular among locals and expats alike.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Many cafes are laptop-friendly but some have time limits or discourage long stays.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
51%
Weight: 100
Busan is emerging as a digital nomad spot but still less popular than Seoul or Southeast Asian cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
84%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIMs with good data plans for tourists.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
64%
Weight: 30
Generally good balance; culture encourages hard work but Busan’s relaxed vibe helps.
🌳 Environmental Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Coastal city with decent air quality but occasional pollution from industry.
🧼 Cleanliness
83%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
41%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Korean language skills beneficial.
💨 Air Quality
57%
Weight: 15
Generally acceptable but can be affected by seasonal yellow dust and industrial emissions.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
67%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; safe environment but language barrier for schooling.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with modern technology and skilled professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance and government subsidies.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure with easy access to hospitals and clinics.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
60%
Weight: 80
Four distinct seasons; hot humid summers and cold winters; moderate rainfall.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons but well-prepared city.
🏞️ Green Spaces
68%
Weight: 10
Several parks and coastal green areas; urban green space is moderate.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
74%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with spring cherry blossoms and colorful autumn foliage.
🔊 Noise Pollution
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise in busy districts; quieter in residential and coastal areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
83%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, museums, and traditional markets.
🌃 Nightlife
65%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife in Seomyeon and Haeundae with bars, clubs, and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Beaches, mountains, and hiking trails nearby offer diverse outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours including food, cultural, and nature experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
87%
Weight: 25
Renowned for seafood and Korean cuisine; diverse dining options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Limited but growing number of yoga and wellness studios.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-conscious food choices.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67%
Weight: 20
UTC+9; good for Asia-Pacific clients but less ideal for Europe/Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
62%
Weight: 25
Growing expat and startup community with occasional networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly reliant on international remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
53%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is emerging but still small compared to major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities but fewer options than Seoul.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
55%
Weight: 15
Developing startup ecosystem with government support but smaller scale.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of mobile payments and local apps like KakaoPay.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; regulatory environment cautious but evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
78%
Weight: 30
Busan’s Gimhae International Airport offers good regional and some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
86%
Weight: 20
Efficient subway and bus systems with extensive coverage.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
City center and tourist areas are walkable; some suburban areas less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps available but less dominant than taxis.
🚲 Cycling
59%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental services but cycling infrastructure is limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
80%
Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses connect Busan well to other Korean cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Limited electric scooter rentals; bike rentals available mainly for leisure.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
90%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G/5G coverage throughout the city and suburbs.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well; some restrictions on certain services but generally reliable.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
92%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
78%
Weight: 10
Free public WiFi available in many public areas and transport hubs.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
43%
Weight: 40
Standard tourist visas available; limited digital nomad visa options.
📊 Tax Friendliness
47%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; foreign income taxation can be complex.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
79%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech with some restrictions on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Requires residency or alien registration; can be bureaucratic for short-term stays.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate process; foreign entrepreneurs face some paperwork but support exists.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with growing infrastructure but language and visa challenges remain.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
48%
Weight: 25
Few regular nomad-specific events; some expat meetups available.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
57%
Weight: 20
Small but active online groups for Busan digital nomads and expats.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe for solo travelers and women.
♀️ Female Friendly
75%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment; some cultural conservatism.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; occasional challenges for foreigners but improving.