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- North Korea
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 15% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥1,019 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | ¥714 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | ¥466 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,850 ₩ (¥348) | ¥199 | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,875 ₩ (¥351) | ¥272 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 543 ₩ (¥66) | ¥653 | - 90% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥890 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | ¥621 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | ¥427 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥261 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,550 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | - | ¥210 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ¥200 | - | |
| Housing | + 73% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 73% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 5,875,860 ₩ (¥717,704) | ¥238,838 | + 200% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 600,000 ₩ (¥73,287) | ¥120,252 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (¥14,657) | ¥23,358 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥122,144) | ¥123,093 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 597,224 ₩ (¥72,948) | ¥84,293 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (¥18,322) | ¥11,955 | + 53% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (¥7,207) | ¥4,050 | + 78% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 185,000 ₩ (¥22,597) | ¥61,346 | - 63% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (¥7,329) | ¥15,579 | - 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥745 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,601 | - | |
| Clothes | + 78% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 78% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥6,784 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (¥11,002) | ¥4,071 | + 170% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (¥1,282) | ¥8,377 | - 85% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,050 | - | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 52,500,000 ₩ (¥6,412,582) | ¥2,782,080 | + 130% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | ¥146 | - | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 37,333 ₩ (¥4,560) | ¥13,003 | - 65% | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥1,232 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,175 | - | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥4,451 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | - | ¥672 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥735 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥471 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥143 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥221 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥2,643 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 73% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 73% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (¥12,214) | ¥4,236 | + 188% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,338 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥10,379 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥8,199 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ (¥8,306) | ¥943 | + 780% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥487 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥532 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | ¥53,054 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥57 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥9,945 | - | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥472 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 24% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,870 prices entered by 344 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.12214
JPY
/
KPW
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Cost of living in North Korea is 24% more expensive than in Japan
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