Cost of living in North Korea compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 22% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in North Korea is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ ($6.00) | $21 | - 71% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ ($5.00) | $12 | - 58% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $5.51 | - 46% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ ($1.50) | $1.07 | + 40% | |
12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ ($10) | $5.01 | + 100% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $4.44 | - 32% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ ($4.00) | $7 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $3.79 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ ($4.88) | $1.98 | + 147% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ ($4.00) | $3.97 | + 1% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ ($13) | $18 | - 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $2.89 | + 4% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ ($2.00) | $2.61 | - 23% | |
Housing | - 16% | |||
Housing in North Korea is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $2,776 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | $2,037 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | $226 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ ($1,111) | $2,067 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,456 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | $168 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | $59 | - | |
40” flat screen tv | - | $248 | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $148 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $15 | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in North Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $55 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | $51 | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | $105 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $139 | - | |
Transportation | + 3% | |||
Transportation in North Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $30,719 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ ($1.11) | $0.93 | + 20% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | $79 | - | |
Personal Care | ||||
Personal Care in North Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $9 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $22 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $155 | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $9 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | $5.26 | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $7 | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | - | $5.05 | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | - | $2.43 | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $30 | - | |
Entertainment | ||||
Entertainment in North Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | $61 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | $29 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $216 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $103 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $15 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | $6 | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $7 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $491 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.55 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $63 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | $11 | - | |
TOTAL | - 15% |

These prices were last updated on February 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00111
USD
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 15% cheaper than in United States
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