Cost of living in North Korea compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 396% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 396% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 23,798 ₩ (руб 1,812) | руб 407 | + 346% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | руб 265 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 25,000 ₩ (руб 1,903) | руб 147 | + 1192% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | руб 67 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | руб 87 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | руб 145 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | руб 317 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ (руб 761) | руб 97 | + 681% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ (руб 761) | руб 34 | + 2117% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | руб 64 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | руб 591 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | руб 102 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ (руб 761) | руб 32 | + 2281% | |
| Housing | + 57% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 57% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | руб 71,169 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 600,000 ₩ (руб 45,677) | руб 39,385 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ (руб 9,135) | руб 6,163 | + 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ (руб 76,128) | руб 40,158 | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 24,350 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ (руб 11,419) | руб 4,247 | + 169% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ (руб 4,492) | руб 417 | + 977% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 185,000 ₩ (руб 14,084) | руб 26,540 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ (руб 4,568) | руб 6,255 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | руб 462 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 628 | - | |
| Clothes | + 78% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 78% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | руб 5,495 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ (руб 6,857) | руб 2,544 | + 170% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ (руб 799) | руб 5,941 | - 87% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | руб 6,606 | - | |
| 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 1,358,270 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ (руб 76) | руб 46 | + 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | руб 1,874 | - | |
| 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 449 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 578 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | руб 1,374 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 313 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | руб 167 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | руб 227 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | руб 82 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | руб 100 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | руб 559 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 60% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 60% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ (руб 7,613) | руб 1,511 | + 404% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | руб 594 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 5,681 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | руб 3,689 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | руб 394 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | руб 200 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | руб 215 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | руб 31,375 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | руб 2.24 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | руб 3,654 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | руб 155 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 111% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,764 prices entered by 496 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 06, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.07613
RUB
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 111% more expensive than in Russia
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