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Best Cities in South Korea to Live In 2026

1 city ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.

Country at a Glance

83/100

Freedom House score

#61

Press freedom rank

98/100

Grid reliability

5yr

Path to PR

24%

Corporate tax

Living in South Korea — Common Questions

What is the best city to live in South Korea?

Based on our Livability Score, Seoul ranks #1 in South Korea with a score of 81/100, and city-centre rent from around $871/month.

What is the safest city in South Korea?

By UNODC homicide rate data, Seoul is the safest city in South Korea in our database, with a rate of 0.5 per 100,000 people.

How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in South Korea?

South Korea offers the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (complex process). Duration: 1 year (renewable once). Key requirement: Income ≥ ~$65,800/yr after tax (≥200% Korean GNI, adjusts annually). Remote work for non-Korean employer.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.