Cost of living in North Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 189% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 189% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 23,798 ₩ (¥2,848) | ¥1,001 | + 184% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | ¥722 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 25,000 ₩ (¥2,992) | ¥446 | + 571% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | ¥214 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | ¥289 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | ¥501 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥1,246 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,197) | ¥640 | + 87% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,197) | ¥381 | + 214% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥260 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,652 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | ¥221 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ (¥1,197) | ¥277 | + 333% | |
| Housing | + 7% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 7% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥212,128 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 600,000 ₩ (¥71,808) | ¥121,270 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (¥14,362) | ¥15,948 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (¥119,679) | ¥127,445 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥86,552 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (¥17,952) | ¥11,000 | + 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (¥7,061) | ¥3,835 | + 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 185,000 ₩ (¥22,141) | ¥39,892 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (¥7,181) | ¥10,465 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥749 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,162 | - | |
| Clothes | + 68% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 68% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥6,528 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (¥10,780) | ¥4,644 | + 132% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (¥1,256) | ¥7,685 | - 84% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥13,013 | - | |
| Transportation | - 4% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥2,936,380 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (¥120) | ¥142 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥9,348 | - | |
| 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) | - | ¥1,406 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥929 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ¥8,740 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥554 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥669 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥525 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥206 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥238 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥2,654 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 53% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 53% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (¥11,968) | ¥3,275 | + 265% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,323 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥16,766 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥5,924 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥806 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥520 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ¥510 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥47,417 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥26 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ¥8,220 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥491 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 59% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,140 prices entered by 182 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.11968
JPY
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 59% more expensive than in Japan
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