Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and North Korea Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and North Korea

Name: North Korea
Address: KP

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,643 per month in United States vs $89.0 in North Korea, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $140 in North Korea, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,070 per month in United States vs $191 in North Korea, rent included.

United States costs about 2870% more than North Korea on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while North Korea is 93% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.04 $20.04

$2.96 $2.96

577.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$23.49 $23.49

223.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.42 $11.42

$13.11 $13.11

-12.89%

Cappuccino

$5.39 $5.39

$1.18 $1.18

356.78%

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

$2.55 $2.55

$2.21 $2.21

15.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.14 $1.14

78.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$14.14 $14.14

-56.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$2.83 $2.83

153.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.94 $0.94

10.64%

White Bread (500g)

$3.65 $3.65

$2.08 $2.08

75.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

$1.62 $1.62

191.98%

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$2.51 $2.51

74.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.76 $12.76

$4.74 $4.74

169.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.42 $12.42

$2.34 $2.34

430.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.41 $16.41

$5.96 $5.96

175.34%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$6.73 $6.73

-19.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$4.75 $4.75

-65.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$2.34 $2.34

96.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.25 $2.25

118.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.38 $3.38

-13.61%

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$3.50 $3.50

-10.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.35 $2.35

-3.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$0.48 $0.48

379.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 $9.89

$4.52 $4.52

118.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.10 $15.10

$7.92 $7.92

90.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.15 $1.15

66.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$2.30 $2.30

59.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.05 $1.05

136.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.8 $64.8

$39.91 $39.91

62.44%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 $3.84

$1.58 $1.58

143.04%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.03 $2.03

-13.30%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.58 $30.58

$41.06 $41.06

-25.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.72 $0.72

33.33%

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

$30.5K $30.5K

$22.7K $22.7K

34.30%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$29.5K $29.5K

-10.49%

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

$204 $204

$34.83 $34.83

486.19%

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

$57.3 $57.3

$11.58 $11.58

394.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$46.48 $46.48

53.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.67 $46.67

$44.32 $44.32

5.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.12 $22.12

$14.79 $14.79

49.56%

Cinema Ticket

$13.84 $13.84

$8.15 $8.15

69.82%

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

$1,384 $1,384

$112 $112

1134.72%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.7K $22.7K

$2,153 $2,153

954.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.0 $53.0

$22.78 $22.78

132.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.17 $43.17

$28.75 $28.75

50.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 $90.6

$63.0 $63.0

43.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$86.6 $86.6

32.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 $1,766

$99.7 $99.7

1672.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,459 $1,459

$110 $110

1226.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 $2,832

$1,447 $1,447

95.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,411 $2,411

$215 $215

1020.45%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,287 $3,287

$1,755 $1,755

87.33%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,650 $2,650

$1,445 $1,445

83.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,379 $4,379

$243 $243

1698.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

7.11

-8.44%

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

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Last update for North Korea: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $17.00 in North Korea. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $93.0 in Pyongyang.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $234 in North Korea. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 9529% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 1725% more in United States.

Public transport is 525% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1823% higher in United States, giving North Korea stronger purchasing power.

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

United States vs North Korea: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

North Korea is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 772% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

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

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in North Korea, contributing to the overall 772% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in North Korea, but in United States 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.