Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and North Korea Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and North Korea

Name: North Korea
Address: KP

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $391 per month in Pakistan vs $88.0 in North Korea, rent included.

A couple spends around $592 per month in Pakistan vs $140 in North Korea, rent included.

A family of three spends $792 per month in Pakistan vs $192 in North Korea, rent included.

The cost of living in Pakistan is about 344% higher than in North Korea on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Pakistan and North Korea are more affordable than the global median – Pakistan 71% lower, North Korea 93% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.81 PKR 503

$2.92 $2.92

-38.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$12.15 PKR 3,375

$23.33 $23.33

-47.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.29 PKR 1,190

$13.10 $13.10

-67.25%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.75 PKR 485

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.98 PKR 1,106

Cappuccino

$1.74 PKR 482

$1.14 $1.14

52.63%

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

$0.36 PKR 100

$2.33 $2.33

-84.55%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 PKR 58.3

$1.13 $1.13

-81.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$13.71 $13.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 $2.83

Milk (1 liter)

$0.78 PKR 216

$1.00 $1.00

-22.00%

White Bread (500g)

$0.56 PKR 155

$2.16 $2.16

-74.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 PKR 337

$1.60 $1.60

-24.38%

Eggs

$1.20 PKR 334

$2.39 $2.39

-49.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.69 PKR 1,579

$4.59 $4.59

23.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.84 PKR 789

$2.25 $2.25

26.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.09 PKR 1,135

$5.69 $5.69

-28.12%

Apples (1kg)

$1.00 PKR 279

$6.74 $6.74

-85.16%

Banana (1kg)

$0.61 PKR 170

$4.60 $4.60

-86.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.76 PKR 212

$2.35 $2.35

-67.66%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 PKR 145

$2.35 $2.35

-77.87%

Potato (1kg)

$0.38 PKR 106

$3.39 $3.39

-88.79%

Onion (1kg)

$0.51 PKR 143

$3.41 $3.41

-85.04%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.38 PKR 106

$2.25 $2.25

-83.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.36 PKR 98.8

$0.48 $0.48

-25.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.01 PKR 559

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 PKR 304

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 PKR 578

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.96 PKR 545

$4.70 $4.70

-58.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 $1.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.20 PKR 56.1

$1.02 $1.02

-80.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.24 PKR 2,011

$41.18 $41.18

-82.42%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 PKR 232

$1.53 $1.53

-45.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.52 PKR 145

$2.11 $2.11

-75.36%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 PKR 496

$42.45 $42.45

-95.78%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 PKR 248

$0.74 $0.74

20.27%

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

$17.8K PKR 4.9M

$23.6K $23.6K

-24.53%

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

$23.7K PKR 6.6M

$29.3K $29.3K

-18.97%

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

$110 PKR 30.5K

$34.48 $34.48

218.74%

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

$4.58 PKR 1,270

$11.34 $11.34

-59.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.58 PKR 4,326

$47.07 $47.07

-66.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.28 PKR 3,687

$43.36 $43.36

-69.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.84 PKR 2,456

$14.76 $14.76

-40.11%

Cinema Ticket

$4.13 PKR 1,148

$7.99 $7.99

-48.31%

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

$39.62 PKR 11.0K

$111 $111

-64.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,170 PKR 324.9K

$2,153 $2,153

-45.66%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.59 PKR 4,330

$22.90 $22.90

-31.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.77 PKR 6,601

$28.80 $28.80

-17.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.9 PKR 20.0K

$63.7 $63.7

12.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$32.15 PKR 8,928

$86.7 $86.7

-62.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$115 PKR 31.9K

$98.1 $98.1

17.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$66.3 PKR 18.4K

$107 $107

-37.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$274 PKR 76.1K

$1,478 $1,478

-81.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$163 PKR 45.2K

$217 $217

-24.89%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$965 PKR 268.0K

$1,689 $1,689

-42.84%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$502 PKR 139.4K

$1,421 $1,421

-64.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$186 PKR 51.6K

$234 $234

-20.67%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.97

7.11

166.81%

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

Last update for Pakistan: July 12, 2026

Last update for North Korea: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $78.0 in Pakistan vs $17.00 in North Korea. For reference, capital cities sit at $199 in Islamabad and $92.0 in Pyongyang.

Average salary: $181 in Pakistan vs $230 in North Korea. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 359% higher in Pakistan.

Dining out costs 175% more in Pakistan.

Public transport is 75% more expensive in Pakistan.

Salaries are 27% higher in North Korea, and purchasing power comes out stronger in North Korea.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Pakistan vs North Korea: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

North Korea is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 14% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in Pakistan, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Pakistan consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in North Korea, contributing to the overall 14% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in North Korea, but in Pakistan it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

North Korea is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.