- Cost of Living
- North Korea
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 4% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥1,054 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | ¥698 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,000 ₩ (¥1,006) | ¥436 | + 130% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,850 ₩ (¥358) | ¥205 | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,875 ₩ (¥361) | ¥285 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 543 ₩ (¥68) | ¥777 | - 91% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥910 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | ¥697 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | ¥414 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥265 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,538 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | - | ¥203 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ¥198 | - | |
| Housing | + 84% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 84% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 5,875,860 ₩ (¥738,633) | ¥231,808 | + 219% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 600,000 ₩ (¥75,424) | ¥125,591 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (¥15,085) | ¥21,159 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥125,706) | ¥113,754 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 597,224 ₩ (¥75,075) | ¥74,885 | + 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (¥18,856) | ¥12,611 | + 50% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (¥7,417) | ¥4,134 | + 79% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 185,000 ₩ (¥23,256) | ¥55,558 | - 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (¥7,542) | ¥16,830 | - 55% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥693 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,932 | - | |
| Clothes | + 74% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 74% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥6,829 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (¥11,323) | ¥4,215 | + 169% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (¥1,320) | ¥8,321 | - 84% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥13,972 | - | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 52,500,000 ₩ (¥6,599,583) | ¥2,590,890 | + 155% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | ¥145 | - | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 37,333 ₩ (¥4,693) | ¥11,257 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥1,278 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,016 | - | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥3,622 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | - | ¥630 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥707 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥455 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥137 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥217 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥2,939 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 78% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 78% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (¥12,571) | ¥3,981 | + 216% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,365 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥14,181 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥7,768 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ (¥8,548) | ¥880 | + 872% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥487 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥560 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | ¥49,094 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥56 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥10,296 | - | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥468 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 36% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,000 prices entered by 364 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 10, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.12571
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 36% more expensive than in Japan
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