Cost of living in North Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 288% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 288% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 23,798 ₩ (186元) | 45元 | + 309% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | 34元 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 25,000 ₩ (195元) | 15元 | + 1164% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | 15元 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | 13元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | 8元 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | 59元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ (78元) | 15元 | + 422% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ (78元) | 6.00元 | + 1202% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 5.17元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 112元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | 8元 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ (78元) | 14元 | + 462% | |
| Housing | + 178% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 178% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,875,860 ₩ (45,879元) | 9,398元 | + 388% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 600,000 ₩ (4,685元) | 4,943元 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (937元) | 431元 | + 117% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (7,808元) | 5,740元 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,007元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (1,171元) | 285元 | + 311% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (461元) | 96元 | + 381% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 185,000 ₩ (1,444元) | 2,464元 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (468元) | 561元 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 38元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 47元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 80% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 80% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 481元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (703元) | 250元 | + 181% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (82元) | 647元 | - 87% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 620元 | - | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 134,340元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (8元) | 7元 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 149元 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | 37元 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 45元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 347元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 62元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 47元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 31元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 8元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 12元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 71元 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 58% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 58% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (781元) | 177元 | + 340% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 100元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,029元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 395元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 68元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 33元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 31元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,256元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.31元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 335元 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 22元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 135% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 3,095 prices entered by 365 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 20, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00781
CNY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 135% more expensive than in China
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