Ilsan vs Fuyang: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Fuyang costs roughly 15.6x less than Ilsan. Ilsan scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Ilsan is approximately 3x more expensive than Fuyang based on cost of living including rent. This makes Fuyang a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Fuyang has a FIRE Score of 93/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Fuyang is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Ilsan
Ilsan is a solid, unglamorous pick for expats who want Seoul access without Seoul prices, with 1-bedroom city center rent at $750/mo and a monthly public transport pass at just $48. The tradeoffs are real: air quality sits at 62, English proficiency is limited, and the $5,500/mo income floor on the South Korea Digital Nomad Visa prices out most remote workers. Safety is excellent at an 85/100 index, healthcare quality is excellent, and an average monthly net salary of $3,461/mo comfortably covers a mid-range single life at $1,216/mo. Come for the value and the ICN access at 29 km, not for the nightlife or the winter air.
About South Korea
A 1BR downtown runs $677, less than half of comparable rent in Boston or Seattle. Add $966 for monthly living costs and a solid 82.8 healthcare index, and the math works even before factoring in the 6% to 45% progressive tax. The Workcation Visa requires $5,500/mo income, steep for most remote workers. No retirement visa and a difficult residency pathway mean this fits nomads far better than retirees chasing permanent residency.
$1,784/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Fuyang
Fuyang is a budget powerhouse for anyone serious about stretching a dollar, with a one-bedroom in the city center running just $250/mo and a full single-person budget tier at $650/mo. The overall expat score of 91/100 and a FIRE score of 93/100 scream value, but the trade-offs are real: English proficiency is limited, the expat community is small, and the nearest airport is 160 km away in HFE. Safety is solid at 75/100, yet the air quality index of 85 will test your lungs, and healthcare, while good, won't be a Western-style crutch. If you crave cheap living and don't mind a language barrier and a long haul to a major hub, Fuyang delivers; if you need convenience and community, look elsewhere.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$1,900/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Ilsan | Fuyang |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $750 | $250 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $600 | $180 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1700 | $500 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1300 | $350 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 75 |
| Internet Speed | 105Mbps | 100Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Ilsan | Fuyang |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,287/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $687/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $600/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $203/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $74.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $94.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $268/mo | N/A |
| Transport | $48.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Fuyang? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including China and South Korea.
Compare visas →Ilsan vs Fuyang -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Fuyang
Find hotels in Fuyang
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Fuyang
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Fuyang
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Fuyang
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Fuyang
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →