Cost of living in North Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in North Korea is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,400 ₩ ($6.00) | $17 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,500 ₩ ($5.00) | $9 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $5.07 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,350 ₩ ($1.50) | $0.99 | + 52% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 9,000 ₩ ($10) | $3.33 | + 200% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $4.43 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,600 ₩ ($4.00) | $7 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $3.93 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4,394 ₩ ($4.88) | $1.92 | + 154% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,600 ₩ ($4.00) | $3.30 | + 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 11,700 ₩ ($13) | $16 | - 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 ₩ ($3.00) | $2.26 | + 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,800 ₩ ($2.00) | $2.47 | - 19% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in North Korea is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| North Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $2,508 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | $1,960 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | $206 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,000,000 ₩ ($1,111) | $1,774 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,342 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | $139 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | $56 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | $300 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $135 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $12 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $27 | - | |
| 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) | - | $51 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | $46 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | $92 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $120 | - | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| 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 | - | $25,474 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,000 ₩ ($1.11) | $1.06 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $77 | - | |
| 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) | - | $7 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $125 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | $4.17 | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $5.50 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | $4.18 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | $2.05 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $25 | - | |
| 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 | - | $49 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $27 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $196 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | $83 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $13 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | $5.19 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $6 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $499 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $53 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | $9 | - | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,186 prices entered by 2,619 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00111
USD
/
KPW
*
Cost of living in North Korea is 8% cheaper than in United States
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