Cost of living in North Korea compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 90% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 90% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (руб 493) | руб 537 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (руб 411) | руб 357 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (руб 247) | руб 199 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (руб 123) | руб 87 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (руб 822) | руб 143 | + 473% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (руб 247) | руб 226 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (руб 329) | руб 435 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (руб 247) | руб 131 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (руб 401) | руб 58 | + 595% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (руб 329) | руб 87 | + 277% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (руб 1,068) | руб 729 | + 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (руб 247) | руб 167 | + 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (руб 164) | руб 45 | + 269% | |
| Housing | + 8% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 8% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | руб 108,612 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | руб 58,529 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | руб 8,064 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (руб 91,304) | руб 54,731 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 33,269 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | руб 5,365 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | руб 955 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | руб 21,598 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 7,518 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | руб 548 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 763 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | руб 6,829 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | руб 3,368 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 7,728 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | руб 9,144 | - | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 7% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | руб 2,729,180 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (руб 91) | руб 56 | + 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | руб 2,159 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 251 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 549 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,878 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 347 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | руб 222 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | руб 181 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | руб 123 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | руб 128 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | руб 559 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | руб 1,534 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 654 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 5,196 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 3,180 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | руб 502 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | руб 192 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 228 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 51,956 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 4.26 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | руб 3,278 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | руб 202 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 25% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,114 prices entered by 173 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.09130
RUB
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 25% more expensive than in Russia
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