Cost of living in North Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 59% more expensive than in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (40元) | 43元 | - 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (34元) | 37元 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (20元) | 17元 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (10元) | 14元 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (67元) | 16元 | + 310% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (20元) | 9元 | + 130% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (27元) | 48元 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (20元) | 13元 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (33元) | 6元 | + 443% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (27元) | 7元 | + 302% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (88元) | 97元 | - 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (20元) | 9元 | + 118% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (13元) | 13元 | + 2% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | 13,898元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 8,379元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | 462元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (7,498元) | 6,525元 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,376元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 516元 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | 140元 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | 1,829元 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | 546元 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 50元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 66元 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 511元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | 288元 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | 654元 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 844元 | - | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 148,501元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (7元) | 8元 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 206元 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | 28元 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 27元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 386元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 30元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 44元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 21元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 16元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 82元 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | 260元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 122元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 417元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 319元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 90元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 31元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 2,968元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.24元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 410元 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 38元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 17% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,197 prices entered by 116 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 04, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00750
CNY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 17% more expensive than in China
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