The report card
Editorial scores from people who have worked from each city. The hard numbers below come from official sources.
Cost in real numbers
Data last checked July 2026. Sources: KOSIS, Korea Real Estate Board, Korail, KMA, Ookla, and each coworking space's published pricing.
Busan is Korea's second city: ~3.24 million people, beaches on one side and Jeonpo's cafe alleys on the other. A month runs ₩1.25–1.9M, roughly 15–20% less than Seoul, with rent about 40% cheaper.
About this city
Korea's second city moves at half Seoul's speed, and that's the point. Beach mornings in Gwangalli, laptop afternoons in Jeonpo's cafe alleys, and a sunset that makes you close the laptop on time for once.
The KTX puts Seoul 2.5 hours away, so you're never far from the big-city fix. We run beach workations here most summers — the Busan crowd will make room for you.
Getting around
Metro covers the city; KTX to Seoul in 2.5 hours
Where it sits
From our community
I was only in Busan for one week but I had so much fun and met so many kind-hearted people.
Kerstin, Be your best self in Korea
I feel like a local in Busan now, which is awesome.
Ana-Maria, Korea: An Unexpected Journey