- Cost of Living
- North Korea
- China
- Comparison
Cost of living in North Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | 53元 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | 33元 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,000 ₩ (62元) | 15元 | + 308% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,850 ₩ (22元) | 16元 | + 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,655 ₩ (20元) | 16元 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 543 ₩ (4.19元) | 8元 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | 63元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | 13元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | 7元 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 5.64元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 114元 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | - | 8元 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | 12元 | - | |
| Housing | + 87% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 87% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 2,670,050 ₩ (20,580元) | 9,680元 | + 113% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 600,000 ₩ (4,625元) | 4,478元 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (925元) | 425元 | + 117% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,000,000 ₩ (7,708元) | 5,710元 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 597,224 ₩ (4,603元) | 3,523元 | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (1,156元) | 304元 | + 280% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (455元) | 88元 | + 419% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 185,000 ₩ (1,426元) | 2,242元 | - 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (462元) | 678元 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 40元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 39元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 68% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 68% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | 554元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (694元) | 280元 | + 148% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (81元) | 614元 | - 87% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 672元 | - | |
| Transportation | + 47% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 32,359,600 ₩ (249,416元) | 145,666元 | + 71% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 444 ₩ (3.42元) | 7元 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 37,333 ₩ (288元) | 154元 | + 87% | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | 26元 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 32元 | - | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | 425元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | - | 30元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 37元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 38元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 10元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 14元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 59元 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 32% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | 159元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 86元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 723元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 375元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ (524元) | 60元 | + 777% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 34元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 34元 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | 3,310元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.98元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 300元 | - | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | - | 20元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 56% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,418 prices entered by 602 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00771
CNY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 56% more expensive than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 81% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 11% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 31% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 79% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 14% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 21% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 9% more expensive than in China