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 ₩ (¥843) | ¥1,028 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (¥703) | ¥723 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (¥422) | ¥519 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (¥211) | ¥197 | + 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (¥1,405) | ¥316 | + 344% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (¥422) | ¥629 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (¥562) | ¥962 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (¥422) | ¥902 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (¥686) | ¥574 | + 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (¥562) | ¥285 | + 97% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (¥1,827) | ¥1,208 | + 51% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (¥422) | ¥184 | + 129% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (¥281) | ¥206 | + 37% | |
| 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 | - | ¥326,267 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥171,772 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ¥28,488 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥156,116) | ¥157,603 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥82,713 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥24,082 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥4,699 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | ¥47,482 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥32,093 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥1,313 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥6,136 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥5,199 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥8,989 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥13,588 | - | |
| 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 | - | ¥2,700,660 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (¥156) | ¥165 | - 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥10,143 | - | |
| 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) | - | ¥2,497 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,967 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥5,380 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥650 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥938 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥702 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥218 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥216 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥3,927 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| North Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥4,141 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,600 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥4,000 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥5,993 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥984 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥472 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥575 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥101,122 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥9,280 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥592 | - | |
| 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 756 prices entered by 103 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.15612
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 6% more expensive than in Japan
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