Cost of Living in North Korea
Summary of cost of living in North Korea:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,287.9$ (1,973.4€), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 614.1$ (529.7€), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in North Korea is, on average, 44.5% lower than in United States.
- Rent in North Korea is, on average, 77.4% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 2.50 € | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 20.20 € | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 11.11 € | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 12.00 € | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.50 € | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 1.00 € | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 1.97 € | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 1.00 € | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 0.81 € | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 1.67 € | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 0.64 € | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 2.13 € | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 1.81 € | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 0.91 € | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 2.27 € | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.72 € | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.81 € | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 0.91 € | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 0.91 € | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.36 € | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.36 € | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.00 € | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 0.40 € | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 7.00 € | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1.00 € | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.00 € | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 4.00 € | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.90 € | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 35.00 € | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 1.35 € | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 3.22 € | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 36.00 € | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.65 € | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 20,000.00 € | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 25,000.00 € | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 30.00 € | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 10.00 € | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 40.00 € | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 38.00 € | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 13.00 € | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 7.00 € | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 95.00 € | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 1,885.00 € | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 20.00 € | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 25.00 € | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 55.00 € | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 75.00 € | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 85.33 € | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 93.33 € | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,269.00 € | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 186.67 € | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 140.00 € | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 115.00 € | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 207.92 € | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 7.11 |
Prices in North Korea
This country had 86 entries in the past 12 months by 15 different contributors.
Last update: 8 June 2025
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 8 June 2025
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
Moving to North Korea? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Moving to North Korea? Explore:
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Nordkorea
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida na Coréia do Norte
|
 ItalianoCosto della Vita in Corea del Nord
|
 FrançaisCoût de la Vie en Corée du Nord
|
 EspañolCosto de Vida en Corea del Norte
|