Busan, South Korea 🇰🇷
#795
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
51%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Seoul; cheaper than many Western cities but still higher than Southeast Asian cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
48%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; affordable options exist but prime locations can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Local food is affordable; groceries moderately priced with good availability of fresh produce.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79%
Weight: 20
Public transit is efficient and inexpensive, with extensive bus and metro networks.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are varied but can be moderately expensive compared to other Asian cities.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, with many options including international chains.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
South Korean won is stable with low volatility and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
94%
Weight: 100
One of the fastest and most reliable internet infrastructures globally.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Good number of coworking spaces, especially in Haeundae and Seomyeon areas.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
81%
Weight: 30
Abundant cafes with free WiFi, popular among locals and expats alike.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and quiet environments.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; Busan is less popular than Seoul or other Asian hubs.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
65%
Weight: 30
Improving work culture with more flexible options, but traditional work hours still common.
🌳 Environmental Quality
68%
Weight: 15
Coastal city with decent air quality; occasional pollution spikes during winter.
🧼 Cleanliness
79%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean and well-maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
41%
Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency outside tourist areas; Korean language skills helpful.
💨 Air Quality
57%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; occasional yellow dust and pollution affect the city.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
63%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks; family activities available but limited international schools.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
85%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with modern hospitals and clinics.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are reasonable, especially with national health insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services with easy access for residents and foreigners.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
64%
Weight: 80
Mild summers and cold winters; some rainy days especially in summer monsoon season.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
71%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional typhoons and minor earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
69%
Weight: 10
Several parks and coastal green areas, but urban density limits large green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport have reliable air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
72%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with noticeable changes, including snowy winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
58%
Weight: 10
Urban noise present, especially near busy roads and nightlife districts.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
80%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, museums, and traditional markets.
🌃 Nightlife
63%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars and clubs, though less intense than Seoul.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
78%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, mountains, and hiking trails nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Korean classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours, including food, cultural, and nature experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural venues provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
86%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food scene with fresh seafood and Korean cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
59%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as widespread as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
67%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness centers with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-focused food options.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 timezone is convenient for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe/Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
54%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to Seoul; some meetups and expat groups exist.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
47%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
50%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but still developing.
🏢 Coworking Quality
71%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities, though fewer in number than bigger cities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
53%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem but less vibrant than Seoul or Pangyo.
💳 Local Payment Services
76%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of mobile payments and local apps like KakaoPay.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with active local communities and exchanges.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
Good international and domestic flight connections via Gimhae Airport.
🚇 Public Transit
83%
Weight: 20
Efficient metro and bus systems with extensive coverage.
🚶 Walkability
68%
Weight: 20
Walkable neighborhoods, especially near beaches and downtown areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps available but less prevalent than taxis.
🚲 Cycling
57%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and rental services, but infrastructure is limited.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
80%
Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses connect Busan to other major cities efficiently.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; bike rentals available mainly in tourist areas.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Excellent 4G/5G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75%
Weight: 20
VPNs work well; some restrictions exist but generally accessible.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
88%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
72%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes, malls, and public spaces.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
43%
Weight: 40
Standard tourist visas are easy to obtain; no dedicated digital nomad visa yet.
📊 Tax Friendliness
49%
Weight: 30
Tax system is complex; foreign income taxation can be challenging.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
76%
Weight: 15
Generally free society with some limitations on sensitive topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
80%
Weight: 20
Stable democratic government with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
52%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and sometimes in-person visits.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
58%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes are improving but still involve paperwork.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of May 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
56%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly; infrastructure is good but language and visa limitations exist.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events; some expat and tech meetups available.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
53%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online communities for Busan-based nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
84%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe public spaces.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
51%
Weight: 50
Some cultural barriers and occasional discrimination; improving awareness.