China

Compared with South Korea, using real observed prices.

Baseline: South Korea = 1×

China vs

South Korea

Overall verdict

China is about 0.86× South Korea.

Average across 5 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs South Korea = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is South Korea. A bar running right means China is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

South Korea South Korea = 1×

China is pricier →

📱 Electronics 1 item

×1.00
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.98
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.97
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.78
⚡ Utilities 2 items

×0.65

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In China, iPhone (base model, base storage) costs 1.0× what it does in South Korea — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.6×. Calling this country simply "expensive" hides a gap this wide.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

iPhone (base model, base storage) 1 unit ×1.00

China ₩1,293,126 CNY 5,999

South Korea ₩1,290,000 KRW 1,290,000

Observed 2026-07-27 · Apple official online store
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.98

China ₩5,383 CNY 25.5

South Korea ₩5,500 KRW 5,500

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.97

China ₩64,236 CNY 298

South Korea ₩66,000 KRW 66,000

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×0.83

China ₩1,837 USD 1.179

South Korea ₩2,223 USD 1.427

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×0.74

China ₩1,628 USD 1.045

South Korea ₩2,205 USD 1.415

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Natural gas 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.70

China ₩77 USD 0.051

South Korea ₩110 USD 0.073

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.60

China ₩114 USD 0.076

South Korea ₩191 USD 0.127

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com