Cost of Living in Ongjin - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $737 monthly including rent, or $567 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,158 with rent, or $1,063 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,580 including rent, or $1,558 for daily expenses alone.

Ongjin sits about 45% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 29% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
Do you live in Ongjin? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.92 $2.92
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.93 $22.93
-
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
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 $1.04
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.03 $7.03
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 $2.33
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$0.83 $0.83
$0.96 $0.96
White Bread (500g)
$1.64 $1.64
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.38 $2.38
-
Eggs
$3.31 $3.31
-
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
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
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
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
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
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.14 $43.14
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.32 $15.32
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.98 $7.98
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$112 $112
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,189 $2,189
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
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
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$91.3 $91.3
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$94.0 $94.0
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,336 $2,336
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$140 $140
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,783 $1,783
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,452 $1,452
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$216 $216
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.11
-

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $91.3 for a central one-bedroom, or $94.0 outside the center. At 42% of the average salary ($216), housing leaves real financial breathing room.

Average take-home pay sits at $216, while typical expenses reach $737. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $234 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $23.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $41.13 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Eggs is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

Local beer is more expensive than 93% of cities in Asia

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Ongjin - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability look in Ongjin for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Cost of Living in Ongjin, North Korea tends to favor simplicity and local resources over flashy options, which many travelers and remote workers find valuable. You’ll notice modest accommodations, predictable daily groceries from nearby markets, and slower service speeds that translate into thoughtful budgeting. Real cost levers are housing, meals, and utility use; long stays often unlock better per-night rates through guesthouses or small apartment rentals. Transport leans on walking, cycling, and occasional local buses. Tip: Plan for longer stays to spread fixed costs over more days and to deepen neighborhood familiarity.
What does a typical day look like in Ongjin, North Korea in terms of housing search, food, transport, and errands for a visitor or remote worker?
Ongjin, North Korea living cost centers on modest homes or guesthouses, local markets, and practical transport. Housing searches usually happen through on-site visits or informal networks, with small apartments or shared rooms common rather than built-for-expats options. Food comes from markets and simple eateries featuring seasonal seafood and vegetables. Transport relies on walking, bicycles, or basic buses, with longer trips planned around schedules. For errands and coworking, look for community spaces near town centers or university areas. Tip: Start with one or two reliable neighborhood anchors to cut transit time and keep daily flows simple.
What quality of life considerations and budgeting framework help visitors decide if Ongjin is the right fit, including seasonality and neighborhood choices?
Quality of life in Ongjin, North Korea can be steady and community driven, with a pace that rewards routine over rapid change. A simple budgeting framework helps: allocate funds to housing, food, transport, and utilities, and adjust monthly as seasons alter prices or availability. Seasonality affects groceries and leisure, as shoreline life and markets shift with harvests and festivals. Neighborhood fit depends on proximity to markets, calm streets, and transport links; coastal areas may offer quieter vibes, while inland pockets can shorten trips to services. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during a short stay to spot preferred rhythms and walkable routes.
How affordable is daily life in Ongjin?
Your money goes further in Ongjin than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $737 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
How much of a salary does housing take in Ongjin?
At roughly 42% of income going to housing, Ongjin is one of those places where rent doesn't dominate your paycheck. The low ratio is a standout advantage and gives residents real financial breathing room compared to pricier cities.
How much should you earn to live well in Ongjin?
Earning $1,106 monthly in Ongjin means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the price of renting a flat in Ongjin?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Ongjin range from $94.0 to $91.3, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
What does commuting cost in Ongjin?
A monthly transit pass in Ongjin goes for roughly $41.13, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Ongjin?
Childcare averages $112 monthly at a private kindergarten in Ongjin. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Ongjin?
$1,000 stretches far in Ongjin – all-in monthly costs average only $737. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Ongjin a good city to live in long-term?
Ongjin offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, coastal lifestyle, beach access, and at around $737 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Ongjin?
Monthly expenses in Ongjin run around $737, so putting money aside takes more than $1,106 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Ongjin vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities