- Cost of Living
- North Korea
- China
- Comparison
Cost of living in North Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 27% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | 50元 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | 34元 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,000 ₩ (60元) | 15元 | + 312% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,850 ₩ (21元) | 15元 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,875 ₩ (22元) | 16元 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 543 ₩ (4.09元) | 8元 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | 57元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | 14元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | 7元 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 5.59元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 115元 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | - | 7元 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | 12元 | - | |
| Housing | + 180% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 180% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 5,875,860 ₩ (44,236元) | 9,408元 | + 370% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 600,000 ₩ (4,517元) | 4,307元 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (903元) | 439元 | + 106% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,000,000 ₩ (7,528元) | 5,706元 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 597,224 ₩ (4,496元) | 3,520元 | + 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (1,129元) | 311元 | + 263% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (444元) | 86元 | + 414% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 185,000 ₩ (1,393元) | 2,131元 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (452元) | 703元 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 37元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 38元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 68% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 68% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | 556元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (678元) | 260元 | + 161% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (79元) | 624元 | - 87% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 694元 | - | |
| Transportation | + 87% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 87% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 52,500,000 ₩ (395,244元) | 143,509元 | + 175% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | 7元 | - | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 37,333 ₩ (281元) | 157元 | + 79% | |
| 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) | - | 30元 | - | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | 493元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | - | 29元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 36元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 36元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 9元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 14元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 59元 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 91% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 91% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (753元) | 148元 | + 408% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 86元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 752元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 367元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ (512元) | 59元 | + 772% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 34元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 33元 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | 3,255元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 1.04元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 309元 | - | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | - | 20元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 105% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,466 prices entered by 570 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 18, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00753
CNY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 105% more expensive than in China
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