Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 15% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (¥768) | ¥1,145 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (¥640) | ¥719 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (¥384) | ¥437 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (¥192) | ¥211 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (¥1,279) | ¥282 | + 354% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (¥384) | ¥815 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (¥512) | ¥951 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (¥384) | ¥984 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (¥625) | ¥421 | + 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (¥512) | ¥268 | + 91% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (¥1,663) | ¥1,770 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (¥384) | ¥217 | + 77% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (¥256) | ¥225 | + 14% | |
| Housing | - 0% | |||
| 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 | - | ¥194,768 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥126,641 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ¥21,178 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥142,146) | ¥142,258 | - 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥80,836 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥13,643 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥3,988 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | ¥59,521 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥17,809 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥665 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,700 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥7,941 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥4,162 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥7,471 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥15,388 | - | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| 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 | - | ¥2,576,380 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (¥142) | ¥161 | - 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥16,725 | - | |
| 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) | - | ¥1,370 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,955 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥3,523 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥2,205 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥648 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥409 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥143 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥184 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥3,583 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥4,280 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,593 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥20,657 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥6,242 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥1,034 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥533 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥526 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥58,872 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥41 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥11,178 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥554 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 5% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 643 prices entered by 81 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.14215
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 5% more expensive than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Armenia is 53% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 5% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 56% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is about the same as in Japan