How Much Does a Monthly Apartment Rental Cost in Seoul? (2026)
Most international visitors choosing a 1-month Seoul stay pay between KRW 2.8M and 5M, depending on accommodation type and neighborhood. Here is what each option actually costs in 2026.
Quick Answer: A 1-month furnished apartment in Seoul costs around KRW 2.8M for a serviced residence (ASTY Cabin in Songpa-gu, all-inclusive), KRW 4.5M+ for an equivalent 4-star hotel, and KRW 1.5–3M for Airbnb (with significant legal and quality risk). Long-term unfurnished apartment leases require a deposit of KRW 50M+ on top of monthly rent.
Why this question matters
Seoul has very different short-term and long-term housing markets, and most English-language search results are either outdated or focused on locals signing 2-year leases. International visitors arriving for 1–6 months need a different answer.
What does a 1-month serviced residence cost in Seoul?
A serviced residence — a fully licensed accommodation category in Korea — is the closest equivalent to "extended-stay hotel" or "furnished monthly rental" elsewhere. Costs in 2026:
- Studio (21 m²): starting from KRW 700,000/week ≈ KRW 2.8M/month
- Standard double (28 m²): ~KRW 3.4M/month
- Premium suite (45 m²): ~KRW 4.5M/month
These are all-inclusive — no separate utilities, internet, or weekly cleaning fees.
How does this compare to a hotel?
A typical 4-star Seoul hotel runs KRW 150,000–200,000 per night. Over 30 nights that's KRW 4.5M–6M, with smaller floor space (15–22 m² vs 21–45 m²) and no kitchen.
For stays of 1 week or longer, a serviced residence is 40–60% cheaper per night than an equivalent hotel.
What about Airbnb?
In Korea, most Airbnb listings are legally restricted from hosting foreign tourists. Only specific licensed categories (urban hostels, registered guesthouses) can legally host non-Korean visitors. Many Airbnb hosts in Seoul list illegally — you risk being asked to leave mid-stay during a city audit.
Reliable, legal alternatives include licensed serviced residences (like ASTY Cabin), licensed urban hostels, and budget hotels.
What about a real apartment lease?
Korean apartment leases use either jeonse (one large refundable deposit, no rent) or wolse (smaller deposit + monthly rent). For foreigners, wolse is typical: KRW 50M+ deposit and KRW 1.5–3M monthly rent for a small Songpa apartment. Most leases are 1 year minimum and require a Korean bank account, ARC (residence card), and local guarantor.
This only makes sense for stays of 12+ months.
Comparison table
| Option | Monthly cost | Deposit | Furnished | Stay length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serviced residence (ASTY Cabin) | ~KRW 2.8M+ | None | Yes | 1 wk – 12 mo |
| 4-star hotel | ~KRW 4.5M+ | None | Yes | Any |
| Airbnb | ~KRW 2M (variable) | 1 night | Varies | Days–months (legal grey zone) |
| Apartment lease | KRW 1.5M+ | KRW 50M+ | No | 12+ months |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a deposit required for ASTY Cabin? A: No — payment is per-stay, no separate refundable deposit.
Q: Are utilities and internet included? A: Yes — electricity, water, gas, high-speed Wi-Fi, and weekly cleaning are all included in the rate.
Q: Can I get a corporate invoice for tax purposes? A: Yes — ASTY Cabin issues VAT-inclusive invoices to companies on request.
Q: How much in advance should I book a 1-month stay? A: For specific dates and room types, 4–8 weeks in advance is recommended. Last-minute availability is sometimes possible but less likely for premium suites.
Last updated: 2026 | Source: ASTY Cabin Seoul pricing team. For a real-time quote, visit /booking or email astycabinseoul@gmail.com.
