Essentials
- City
- Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- Population
- 2,980,000
- Internet Speed
- Gigabit fiber widely available; average speeds 150-500 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- South Korean Won (KRW); 1 USD ≈ 1,350 KRW, 1 EUR ≈ 1,460 KRW
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, but most locals use purifiers or boil it
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, LG U+; Unlimited data SIMs available at Incheon Airport for approx. 70,000 KRW/month
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank (most expat-friendly), Woori Bank, Shinhan Bank; KakaoBank for residents
- Accommodation
- Officetels and Apartments via Zigbang or Dabang apps; Airbnb for short-term
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile pay (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay) accepted everywhere except some traditional stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Weave Living (Co-living), Local Guesthouses (~800,000 - 1,500,000 KRW/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Incheon Airport Guesthouse (Paradise City area) or Cheap Motels in Juan (from 40,000 KRW/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Songdo International City (Modern) or Wolmido (Entertainment/History)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Songdo (Smart city infrastructure) and Yeonsu-dong (Amenities and accessibility)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workflex Songdo (Posco Tower, 30th Floor - approx. 350,000 KRW/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Terarosa Coffee Songdo (Large tables, power outlets, quiet atmosphere)
- Networking Events
- Incheon Global Campus (IGC) Networking nights; Startup Park Songdo events
- Social Events for Expats
- Songdo Expat Group (Facebook), Language Exchange Incheon (Meetup.com)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Kakao Taxi (Essential; Uber/UT also works for international cards)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Incheon Bike (K-Bike) and private apps like Beam or Swing (approx. 1,000 KRW base)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Eulwangni Beach (Incheon Island, 20 mins from Airport)
- Top Regional Airline
- Jin Air, Jeju Air (Operating from Terminal 1)
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air, Asiana Airlines (Hub: Incheon Terminal 2)
- Highway Access
- Incheon Bridge (Expressway 110), Gyeongin Expressway
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Incheon Station (Line 1) and Geomam Station (AREX/KTX)
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card; Climate Card (62,000 KRW/month for unlimited Seoul/Incheon transit)
- Regional Travel
- AREX Express Train to Seoul (45 mins, 9,500 KRW); Intercity buses from Incheon Terminal
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Inha University Hospital (Sinheung-dong) - Large International Healthcare Center
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Jai Yoga Songdo (English friendly classes available)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- GOTO Fitness (Incheon branches - approx. 50,000 KRW/month with membership)
- Laundry Services
- WashEnjoy Self Laundry (24h automated laundromats located in every neighborhood)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin) or Coupang Eats (Fastest service)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Jajangmyeon (Black bean noodles) - Invented in Incheon Chinatown
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Raw (Songdo) - Specialty vegan and raw food cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Akira Coffee (Chinatown) - Japanese style aesthetic and specialty desserts
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Sinpo International Market (Traditional market with cheap street food)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (Next-day 'Rocket' delivery is life-changing)
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly (Premium/organic) or SSG.com
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bupyeong Station area (The 'Theme Street' is packed with neon bars and clubs)
- Local Brewery
- Caligari Brewing (Songdo Taproom) - Local craft beer
- Wine Bars
- Vinyl House Songdo (Trendy music/wine bar)
- Street Food Stalls
- Sinpo Dakgangjeong (Sweet & Spicy Chicken) - Famous stall in Sinpo Market
- Popular International Cuisine
- Cuisine of the world in Songdo (e.g., Mexico Girl, various Indian and Italian spots)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Songdo Central Park (Tri-bowl and water taxi canal)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Incheon City Museum; G-Tower (Free observation deck with city overview)
- Historical Sites
- Jayu (Freedom) Park - Site of MacArthur's landing; Open Port Area
- Religious Sites
- Heungryunsa Temple (Beautiful mountain views and architecture)
- Annual Events
- Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (August); INK K-Pop Concert
- Cultural Districts
- Incheon Chinatown (The only official Chinatown in Korea)
- Theater Venues
- Incheon Culture & Arts Center (Guwol-dong)
- Local Markets
- Sorae Pogu Fish Market (Fresh seafood and traditional market vibes)
- Music Scene
- Paradise City 'Chroma' (Asia's largest nightclub/music venue)
- Street Art
- Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village (Murals and themed streets)
- Cooking Classes
- Incheon Tourism Organization Cultural Experience Center (various seasonal programs)
- Art Galleries
- Art Space Incheon (Platform living lab for contemporary art)
- Historic Buildings
- Incheon Art Platform (Red brick warehouse conversion)
- Local Heritage
- Incheon Open Port heritage - 19th-century architecture from international trade era
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Incheon Grand Park (Massive park with zoo, botanical gardens, and cherry blossoms)
- National Parks Nearby
- Bukhansan National Park (Approx. 1 hour by car/train)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Songdo Central Park Loop or the Ara Waterway Cycling Path
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Suibong Peak on Gyeyangsan Mountain (Highest point in Incheon)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Namdong Reservoir (Black-faced Spoonbill habitat)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Incheon Wangsan Camping Ground (Designated fire pits/glamping)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Post Office ( 우체국 - reliable and cheap) or GS25/CU Convenience Store drop-offs
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung/LG Service Centers (located in Bupyeong and Yeonsu - very fast service)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local Ping Pong Clubs (탁구장) found in Bupyeong (approx. 10,000 KRW/hour)
- Language Classes
- Incheon Global Center (Free or low-cost Korean classes for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Michuhol Library or the Study Cafes (e.g., Chosim Study Cafe - ~2,000 KRW/hour)
- Community Centers
- Songdo Global Center (Services and events for international residents)
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (widely available; approx. 1,500 KRW/hour with high-end rigs)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Paradise City Casino (Foreigners only) or G-Tower arcade
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 30m² Officetel = 165,000,000 KRW)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 30m² = 120,000,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,800,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50m² = 340,000,000 KRW)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50m² = 225,000,000 KRW)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,200,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80m² = 656,000,000 KRW in Songdo)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80m² = 400,000,000 KRW)
- Corporate Tax
- Graduated scale: 9% on first 200M KRW, up to 24% for higher brackets
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard rate 15.4% (including local income tax)
- Tax System
- Resident basis: Worldwide income; Non-resident: Korea-sourced income only
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% for income exceeding 1 Billion KRW
- VAT
- 10%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, taxation of retained earnings in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on assessed value (approx. 0.1% to 0.4%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Acquisition tax between 1% and 3% depending on price and size
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- F-1-D 'Workation' Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) allows stay up to 2 years if earning >85M KRW