Cost of living in North Korea compared to Pakistan
Currency:
| Food | + 184% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 184% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (₨1,688) | ₨916 | + 84% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (₨1,407) | ₨1,082 | + 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (₨844) | ₨533 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (₨422) | ₨231 | + 83% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (₨2,814) | ₨315 | + 792% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (₨844) | ₨170 | + 398% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (₨1,126) | ₨836 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (₨844) | ₨289 | + 193% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (₨1,374) | ₨114 | + 1104% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (₨1,126) | ₨391 | + 188% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (₨3,658) | ₨2,739 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (₨844) | ₨216 | + 290% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (₨563) | ₨144 | + 291% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 17% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ₨137,741 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ₨58,708 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ₨21,580 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (₨312,685) | ₨75,090 | + 316% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨35,699 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ₨17,044 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ₨2,308 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | ₨58,431 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨29,384 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ₨1,281 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨625 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ₨4,832 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ₨9,004 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨13,089 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ₨13,255 | - | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ₨2,800,000 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (₨313) | ₨272 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | ₨4,030 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ₨230 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨838 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | ₨3,307 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨1,222 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ₨649 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ₨557 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ₨396 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ₨217 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨495 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
| North Korea | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ₨3,859 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | ₨1,827 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨6,844 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ₨8,435 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ₨2,877 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ₨566 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | ₨965 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ₨149,999 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ₨255 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | ₨5,305 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ₨637 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 38% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 776 prices entered by 198 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 07, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.31269
PKR
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 38% more expensive than in Pakistan
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