- Cost of Living
- North Korea
- Iran
- Pyongyang
- Abadan
- Comparison
Cost of living in Pyongyang, North Korea compared to Abadan, Iran

Currency:
Food | + 66% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 66% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 9,755 ₩ (﷼ 455,210) | ﷼ 150,000 | + 203% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 250,000 | - 81% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 3,574 ₩ (﷼ 166,809) | ﷼ 60,000 | + 178% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,460 ₩ (﷼ 68,141) | ﷼ 23,333 | + 192% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,554 ₩ (﷼ 72,510) | ﷼ 41,333 | + 75% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 841 ₩ (﷼ 39,258) | ﷼ 30,000 | + 31% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4,558 ₩ (﷼ 212,713) | ﷼ 93,333 | + 128% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 35,000 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 648 ₩ (﷼ 30,252) | ﷼ 31,667 | - 4% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 552 ₩ (﷼ 25,775) | - | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,640 ₩ (﷼ 123,200) | - | - | |
2 liters of Coca-Cola | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 27,870 | + 67% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 14,719 | + 217% | |
Housing | + 121% | |||
Housing in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 121% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 3,276,010 ₩ (﷼ 152,880,467) | ﷼ 22,897,900 | + 568% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 2,800,000 ₩ (﷼ 130,666,667) | ﷼ 9,947,130 | + 1214% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ﷼ 3,603,310 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | - | ﷼ 38,099,200 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | - | ﷼ 10,793,400 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | - | ﷼ 1,000,000 | - | |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 49,300 ₩ (﷼ 2,300,667) | ﷼ 1,905,730 | + 21% | |
40” flat screen TV | 100,000 ₩ (﷼ 4,666,667) | ﷼ 33,829,500 | - 86% | |
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 13,200 ₩ (﷼ 616,000) | ﷼ 10,449,500 | - 94% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,440 ₩ (﷼ 67,200) | ﷼ 150,000 | - 55% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ﷼ 154,583 | - | |
Clothes | + 47% | |||
Clothes in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 47% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | ﷼ 2,454,550 | - | |
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 73,087 ₩ (﷼ 3,410,717) | ﷼ 1,580,860 | + 116% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (﷼ 489,935) | ﷼ 3,489,490 | - 86% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ﷼ 2,997,220 | - | |
Transportation | + 282% | |||
Transportation in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 282% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 20,146,100 ₩ (﷼ 940,151,333) | ﷼ 562,945,000 | + 67% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 787 ₩ (﷼ 36,746) | ﷼ 9,801 | + 275% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 70,926 ₩ (﷼ 3,309,866) | ﷼ 283,333 | + 1068% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 16,301 ₩ (﷼ 760,709) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 116% | |||
Personal Care in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 116% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 71,667 | - 35% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 78,976 ₩ (﷼ 3,685,547) | ﷼ 110,000 | + 3250% | |
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | ﷼ 153,967 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 786 ₩ (﷼ 36,698) | ﷼ 200,000 | - 82% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 983 ₩ (﷼ 45,873) | ﷼ 91,667 | - 50% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 786 ₩ (﷼ 36,698) | ﷼ 177,155 | - 79% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,977 ₩ (﷼ 185,612) | ﷼ 96,667 | + 92% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,977 ₩ (﷼ 185,612) | ﷼ 64,049 | + 190% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ﷼ 150,000 | - | |
Entertainment | + 83% | |||
Entertainment in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 83% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ﷼ 368,227 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | 76,555 ₩ (﷼ 3,572,567) | ﷼ 130,000 | + 2648% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ﷼ 433,333 | - | |
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ﷼ 717,668 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ (﷼ 3,173,287) | - | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 667 ₩ (﷼ 31,121) | ﷼ 56,667 | - 45% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 786 ₩ (﷼ 36,698) | - | - | |
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 531 ₩ (﷼ 24,786) | ﷼ 1,000 | + 2379% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ﷼ 651,615 | - | |
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | 1,000 ₩ (﷼ 46,667) | ﷼ 93,333 | - 50% | |
TOTAL | + 121% |

These prices were last updated on April 24, 2018.
Exchange rate:
46.667
IRR
/
KPW
*
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Cost of living in Pyongyang (North Korea) is 121% more expensive than in Abadan (Iran)
For example, you would need at least ﷼ 161,102,934
(3,452,206 ₩)
in Pyongyang
to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with
﷼ 73,000,000
in Abadan.
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