Cost of living in North Korea compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 228% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 228% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | руб 401 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | руб 286 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | руб 143 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | руб 66 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | руб 88 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10,822 ₩ (руб 888) | руб 127 | + 597% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | руб 342 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ (руб 821) | руб 109 | + 654% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ (руб 821) | руб 35 | + 2245% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | руб 66 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | руб 575 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | руб 110 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ (руб 821) | руб 29 | + 2756% | |
| Housing | ||||
| Housing in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | руб 68,803 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | руб 38,675 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | руб 6,804 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | руб 31,727 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 22,421 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | руб 4,158 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | руб 487 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | руб 23,685 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 6,433 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | руб 428 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 903 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | руб 4,749 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | руб 2,574 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 5,620 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | руб 6,945 | - | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 9% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | руб 1,259,160 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (руб 82) | руб 47 | + 74% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | руб 1,545 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 468 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 494 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,321 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 297 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | руб 177 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | руб 209 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | руб 77 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | руб 99 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | руб 577 | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | руб 1,440 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 584 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 5,926 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 3,381 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | руб 397 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | руб 166 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 227 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 38,434 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 3.53 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | руб 3,345 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | руб 161 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 114% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 6,591 prices entered by 701 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.08205
RUB
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 114% more expensive than in Russia
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Russia
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 109% more expensive than in Russia
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is about the same as in Russia
- Cost of living in Andorra is 157% more expensive than in Russia
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 122% more expensive than in Russia
- Cost of living in Armenia is 10% cheaper than in Russia
- Cost of living in Angola is 75% more expensive than in Russia
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 149% more expensive than in Russia