Cost of living in North Korea compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 88% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 88% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ (руб 378) | руб 466 | - 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ (руб 315) | руб 308 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ (руб 189) | руб 177 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ (руб 94) | руб 79 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ (руб 630) | руб 115 | + 448% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ (руб 189) | руб 206 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ (руб 252) | руб 410 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ (руб 189) | руб 115 | + 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ (руб 307) | руб 59 | + 425% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ (руб 252) | руб 69 | + 266% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ (руб 819) | руб 631 | + 30% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ (руб 189) | руб 130 | + 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ (руб 126) | руб 36 | + 249% | |
| Housing | + 13% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 13% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | руб 62,658 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | руб 44,642 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | руб 8,116 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (руб 69,972) | руб 36,661 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 26,502 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | руб 4,494 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | руб 525 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | руб 29,351 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 8,731 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | руб 490 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 773 | - | |
| 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 5,378 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | руб 3,420 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | руб 6,726 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | руб 7,140 | - | |
| Transportation | + 5% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 5% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| North Korea | Russia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | руб 1,924,830 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (руб 70) | руб 50 | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | руб 1,664 | - | |
| 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 466 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 459 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,425 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 300 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | руб 210 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | руб 248 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | руб 101 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | руб 123 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | руб 662 | - | |
| 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 1,583 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 572 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 3,947 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 4,452 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | руб 394 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | руб 190 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 231 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 48,530 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 2.66 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | руб 2,624 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | руб 171 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 30% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,051 prices entered by 418 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.06997
RUB
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 30% more expensive than in Russia
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