Cost of living in North Korea compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 97% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 97% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (руб 485) | руб 496 | - 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (руб 404) | руб 370 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (руб 242) | руб 195 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (руб 121) | руб 85 | + 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (руб 808) | руб 119 | + 578% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (руб 242) | руб 197 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (руб 323) | руб 431 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (руб 242) | руб 111 | + 117% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (руб 395) | руб 50 | + 682% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (руб 323) | руб 78 | + 312% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (руб 1,050) | руб 726 | + 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (руб 242) | руб 148 | + 63% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (руб 162) | руб 45 | + 258% | |
| Housing | + 11% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 11% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | руб 92,638 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | руб 56,538 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | руб 9,374 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (руб 89,786) | руб 45,680 | + 97% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 28,184 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | руб 6,168 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | руб 491 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | руб 25,097 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 10,146 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | руб 626 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 1,061 | - | |
| 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 5,476 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | руб 3,659 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 7,691 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | руб 8,501 | - | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 8% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | руб 2,157,330 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (руб 90) | руб 51 | + 77% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | руб 2,318 | - | |
| 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 511 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 686 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,858 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 385 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | руб 259 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | руб 285 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | руб 115 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | руб 154 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | руб 842 | - | |
| 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 1,814 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 723 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 7,974 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 3,857 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | руб 461 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | руб 217 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 259 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 71,350 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 2.76 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | руб 4,408 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | руб 205 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 28% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 6,241 prices entered by 531 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.08979
RUB
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 28% more expensive than in Russia
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