Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 111% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 111% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥981 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | ¥700 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | ¥414 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | ¥205 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | ¥251 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10,822 ₩ (¥1,318) | ¥655 | + 101% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥964 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,218) | ¥741 | + 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,218) | ¥391 | + 211% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥300 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,420 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | ¥178 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,218) | ¥217 | + 461% | |
| Housing | ||||
| Housing in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥299,320 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥164,446 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ¥21,056 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ¥150,152 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥78,123 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥11,902 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥4,118 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | ¥70,060 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥12,705 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥794 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,406 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥7,319 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥4,417 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥8,375 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥13,139 | - | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥2,627,120 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (¥122) | ¥135 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥10,272 | - | |
| 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) | - | ¥1,148 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,229 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥5,176 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥803 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥611 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥528 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥152 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥258 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥3,156 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥3,672 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,638 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥16,372 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥6,066 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥1,131 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥435 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥548 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥55,862 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥53 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥9,625 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥530 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 62% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 938 prices entered by 141 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.12177
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 62% more expensive than in Japan
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