- Cost of Living
- North Korea
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in North Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | $14 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | $8 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 8,000 ₩ ($9) | $4.52 | + 97% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,850 ₩ ($3.17) | $0.89 | + 256% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 2,875 ₩ ($3.19) | $3.18 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 543 ₩ ($0.60) | $3.98 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | $6 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | $3.33 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | $1.61 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.61 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $15 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | - | $1.92 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | $2.13 | - | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 50% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 5,875,860 ₩ ($6,528) | $2,047 | + 219% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 600,000 ₩ ($667) | $1,577 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 120,000 ₩ ($133) | $177 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 1,000,000 ₩ ($1,111) | $1,589 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 597,224 ₩ ($664) | $1,132 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 150,000 ₩ ($167) | $119 | + 40% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 59,000 ₩ ($66) | $48 | + 36% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 185,000 ₩ ($206) | $329 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 60,000 ₩ ($67) | $120 | - 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $11 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $23 | - | |
| Clothes | + 56% | |||
| Clothes in North Korea is 56% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | - | $48 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 90,076 ₩ ($100) | $45 | + 123% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 10,499 ₩ ($12) | $86 | - 86% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $115 | - | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| Transportation in North Korea is 3% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 52,500,000 ₩ ($58,330) | $22,427 | + 160% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | $0.78 | - | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 37,333 ₩ ($41) | $85 | - 51% | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in North Korea is in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $7 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | - | $111 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | $3.47 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $5.13 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | $3.47 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | $1.87 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $21 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 64% | |||
| Entertainment in North Korea is 64% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 100,000 ₩ ($111) | $45 | + 147% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $25 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $175 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $79 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 67,999 ₩ ($76) | $12 | + 554% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | $4.90 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $5.94 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | - | $421 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.36 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $53 | - | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | - | $8 | - | |
| 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 90,241 prices entered by 12,827 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00111
USD
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 30% more expensive than in United States
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