Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 20% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (¥876) | ¥1,035 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (¥730) | ¥817 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (¥438) | ¥618 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (¥219) | ¥237 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (¥1,461) | ¥335 | + 336% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (¥438) | ¥439 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (¥584) | ¥1,195 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (¥438) | ¥822 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (¥713) | ¥509 | + 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (¥584) | ¥312 | + 87% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (¥1,899) | ¥1,267 | + 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (¥438) | ¥276 | + 59% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (¥292) | ¥293 | - 0% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥365,082 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥197,811 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ¥19,132 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥162,298) | ¥145,654 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥106,059 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥8,349 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥4,448 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | ¥74,559 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥25,414 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥1,338 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥9,315 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥5,103 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥9,892 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,189 | - | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,060,780 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (¥162) | ¥169 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥8,198 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥2,133 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥2,551 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥1,337 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥930 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥622 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥224 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥188 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥4,908 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,881 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥8,269 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥1,244 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥547 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥674 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥51,659 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥9,530 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥613 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 6% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 353 prices entered by 88 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.16230
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 6% more expensive than in Japan
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