Cost of living in North Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| North Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (42元) | 46元 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (35元) | 40元 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (21元) | 16元 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (11元) | 18元 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (71元) | 19元 | + 276% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (21元) | 11元 | + 95% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (28元) | 63元 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (21元) | 15元 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (35元) | 6元 | + 444% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (28元) | 7元 | + 286% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (92元) | 118元 | - 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (21元) | 8元 | + 152% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (14元) | 16元 | - 14% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| 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 | - | 15,059元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 9,006元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | 421元 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (7,859元) | 7,547元 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,347元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 262元 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | 115元 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | 1,086元 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | 589元 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | 39元 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 51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) | - | 529元 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | 248元 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | 626元 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | 828元 | - | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| 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 | - | 161,247元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (8元) | 9元 | - 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 204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) | - | 39元 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 27元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | 391元 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 53元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | 33元 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 34元 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | 13元 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | 15元 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 74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 | - | 265元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | 110元 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,294元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | 348元 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 79元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 29元 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 18元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,321元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.20元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | 410元 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 24元 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 12% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,343 prices entered by 137 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00786
CNY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 12% more expensive than in China
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