Cost of living in North Korea compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 179% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in North Korea is 179% more expensive than in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (₨465) | ₨336 | + 39% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (₨388) | ₨294 | + 32% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (₨233) | ₨163 | + 43% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (₨116) | ₨54 | + 117% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (₨775) | ₨83 | + 829% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (₨233) | ₨40 | + 486% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (₨310) | ₨216 | + 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (₨233) | ₨152 | + 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (₨379) | ₨29 | + 1210% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (₨310) | ₨148 | + 110% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (₨1,008) | ₨766 | + 32% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (₨233) | ₨88 | + 165% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (₨155) | ₨35 | + 346% | |
Housing | + 22% | |||
Housing in North Korea is 22% more expensive than in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ₨30,707 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ₨20,031 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ₨4,413 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (₨86,162) | ₨22,933 | + 276% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨14,192 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ₨3,664 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ₨511 | - | |
40” flat screen tv | - | ₨29,219 | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨12,383 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ₨416 | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨320 | - | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ₨2,328 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ₨2,564 | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨3,571 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ₨3,002 | - | |
Transportation | - 4% | |||
Transportation in North Korea is 4% cheaper than in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨980,422 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (₨86) | ₨107 | - 20% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | ₨1,414 | - | |
Personal Care | ||||
Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨140 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨303 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨1,443 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨402 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ₨190 | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ₨248 | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ₨152 | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | - | ₨72 | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨373 | - | |
Entertainment | ||||
Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in India | ||||
North Korea | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ₨1,405 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | ₨592 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,517 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ₨2,140 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ₨607 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ₨229 | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ₨173 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨46,652 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨1.29 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ₨1,540 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ₨247 | - | |
TOTAL | + 43% |

These prices were last updated on May 18, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.08616
INR
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 43% more expensive than in India
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 169% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 178% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in India
- Cost of living in Andorra is 174% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 167% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in India
- Cost of living in Albania is 48% more expensive than in India
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 337% more expensive than in India