Is it better to live close to campus or commute from a neighborhood a little farther away while studying in Seoul?

When looking for a place to live, there’s more to consider than just monthly rent and distance from campus.

💰 What if the monthly rent is affordable, but the deposit is high?
🚌 What if you like the place, but have to commute to campus every day?

🛒 How convenient is it to shop for groceries or grab a meal near home?
🎓 What can you do after class?

In this article, we’ll use Sinchon, near Yonsei University, and Eungam-dong, within commuting distance of the university, as examples and draw on relevant data to compare housing costs · commuting · daily convenience · leisure options.

Let’s take a look at which option might better fit your budget and lifestyle.

(1) Housing Costs: Deposit & Monthly Rent

How do housing costs differ between living near campus and commuting from farther away?

We compared three one-room listings of similar size in Sinchon and three in Eungam-dong, all listed on Zigbang in September 2026.

In these examples, Sinchon had deposits of KRW 5–10 million and monthly rents of KRW 600,000–700,000, while Eungam-dong had deposits of KRW 10–20 million and monthly rents of KRW 400,000–600,000.

Some listings in Eungam-dong had lower monthly rents but higher deposits, so it’s important to compare the deposit and maintenance fee along with the monthly rent.

💡TIP. Lower monthly rent doesn’t always mean lower housing costs.

Check the Deposit + Monthly Rent + Maintenance Fee together!

※ These prices are based on six actual one-room listings on Zigbang in September 2026 and do not represent average housing costs in either neighborhood.

(2) Commute: Time, Transportation & Cost

How do commute time and transportation costs differ when traveling to Yonsei University from Sinchon and Eungam-dong?

From Sinchon, you can get to campus relatively easily on foot or by bus, so commuting takes less time and costs less. In contrast, commuting from Eungam-dong usually requires a bus or subway, which can add extra time and transportation costs each day.

So, along with the lower monthly rents in the Eungam-dong listings we looked at earlier, it’s important to compare the time and cost of commuting.

💡TIP. Before signing a lease, use a map app to check the travel time and number of transfers from home → campus during your morning commute. Commute conditions can vary depending on where you live, even within the same neighborhood.

(3) Daily Convenience

How does daily life around your home differ by neighborhood?

Sinchon is a university neighborhood with a lively commercial area, making it easy to enjoy everyday conveniences such as restaurants and cafés near campus.

In contrast, Eungam-dong has local commercial areas such as Eungam Market and Eungam Ogeori Shopping Street, making it convenient to shop for groceries and access essential services near home.

In other words, your choice may depend on whether you prefer to spend most of your day around campus or have a separate everyday living area in your own neighborhood.

💡TIP. Before signing a lease, check the supermarket · convenience store · pharmacy · hospital near your home on a map.

(4) Student Life & Enjoying Seoul

What can you enjoy after class in each neighborhood?

Sinchon is a university neighborhood where you can easily enjoy youth culture, including shopping, performances, and games. Nearby Hongdae offers even more options for music, performances, and art.

In contrast, Bulgwangcheon Stream in Eungam-dong has walking and cycling paths where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, running, and cycling.

💡TIP. Think about the kind of life you want in Seoul—whether you prefer to enjoy a variety of activities near campus or spend your free time outdoors near home.

So, Where Should You Live?

In the end, what matters isn’t which neighborhood is better, but which lifestyle is a better fit for you.

Rather than comparing monthly rent alone, consider Housing Costs · Commute · Daily Convenience · Leisure together based on your budget and preferred lifestyle.

Sources & Image Credits

• Housing costs & listings: Zigbang, listings posted in September 2026
• Transportation fares: Seoul Metropolitan Government transportation fare information
• Local amenities & leisure information: Seoul Metropolitan Government · Eunpyeong-gu Office
• Comparison table: Created based on the sources above
• Images used in this content: AI-generated