Cost of living in North Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 192% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 192% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 23,798 ₩ ($26) | $14 | + 83% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | $8 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 25,000 ₩ ($28) | $4.34 | + 541% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | $0.87 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | $3.01 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | $4.09 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | $6 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 10,000 ₩ ($11) | $3.37 | + 230% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 10,000 ₩ ($11) | $1.72 | + 545% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.24 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $15 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | $1.92 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10,000 ₩ ($11) | $2.08 | + 435% | |
| Housing | + 51% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 51% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,875,860 ₩ ($6,529) | $2,232 | + 192% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 600,000 ₩ ($667) | $1,606 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ ($133) | $179 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ ($1,111) | $1,609 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,137 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ ($167) | $117 | + 43% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ ($66) | $48 | + 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 185,000 ₩ ($206) | $299 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ ($67) | $120 | - 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $11 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $23 | - | |
| Clothes | + 63% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 63% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $49 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ ($100) | $44 | + 130% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ ($12) | $87 | - 87% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $113 | - | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $22,926 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ ($1.11) | $0.77 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $80 | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $7 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $20 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $110 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | $3.50 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $4.98 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | $3.55 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | $1.84 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $22 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 39% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 39% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ ($111) | $45 | + 147% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $24 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $221 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $75 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $12 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | $4.81 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $5.83 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $404 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.19 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $54 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | $8 | - | |
| TOTAL | + 72% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 51,296 prices entered by 6,496 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 16, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00111
USD
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 72% more expensive than in United States
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