Cost of Living Comparison Between Ongjin and Pyongyang Cost of Living Comparison Between Ongjin and Pyongyang

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $737 in Ongjin versus $245 in Pyongyang.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,158 in Ongjin versus $385 in Pyongyang.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,580 in Ongjin versus $526 in Pyongyang.

Living in Ongjin is roughly 201% more expensive than Pyongyang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ongjin 45% lower, Pyongyang 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.92 $2.92

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.93 $22.93

$23.41 $23.41

-2.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.31 $8.31

Cappuccino

$1.17 $1.17

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.01 $1.01

$2.25 $2.25

-55.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.14 $1.14

-8.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$13.65 $13.65

-48.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$3.43 $3.43

-32.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$0.96 $0.96

-6.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.64 $1.64

$2.42 $2.42

-32.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.38 $2.38

$0.92 $0.92

158.70%

Eggs

$3.31 $3.31

$2.08 $2.08

59.13%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.70 $4.70

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.32 $2.32

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.91 $5.91

Apples (1kg)

$6.82 $6.82

Banana (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

Oranges (1kg)

$2.36 $2.36

Tomato (1kg)

$2.34 $2.34

Potato (1kg)

$3.54 $3.54

Onion (1kg)

$3.44 $3.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 $2.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.47 $0.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.66 $4.66

Wine (Bottle)

$7.94 $7.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 $1.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.06 $1.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.13 $41.13

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.52 $1.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.12 $2.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.5K $23.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29.2K $29.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$34.86 $34.86

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.43 $11.43

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.48 $46.48

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.14 $43.14

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.32 $15.32

Cinema Ticket

$7.98 $7.98

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$112 $112

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,189 $2,189

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$22.78 $22.78

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.77 $28.77

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.5 $63.5

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.9 $87.9

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$91.3 $91.3

$92.6 $92.6

-1.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$94.0 $94.0

$92.0 $92.0

2.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 $2,336

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$140 $140

$139 $139

0.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,783 $1,783

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,452 $1,452

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$216 $216

$253 $253

-14.83%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.11

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ongjin: May 31, 2026

Last update for Pyongyang: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $91.3 in Ongjin and $92.6 in Pyongyang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Pyongyang pays 17% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $23.00 in Ongjin vs $23.00 in Pyongyang. Groceries flip the comparison at $234 vs $46.00, with Pyongyang cheaper for home cooking.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated June 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Ongjin vs Pyongyang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Pyongyang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 201% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, Pyongyang earns 17% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $91.3 in Ongjin versus $92.6 in Pyongyang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 410% higher in Ongjin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Pyongyang – a meal for two runs $23.00 versus $23.00 in Ongjin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Pyongyang gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Ongjin and Pyongyang are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Pyongyang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 201% less than in Ongjin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.