Cost of Living in Pyongyang vs Kaesong

Cost of living in Pyongyang is 14% higher than in Kaesong (without rent).

Rent in Pyongyang is very similar to Kaesong.

Cost of living including rent in Pyongyang is 7% higher than in Kaesong.

Food in Pyongyang is very similar to Kaesong.

Transport in Pyongyang is 114% more expensive than in Kaesong.

Pyongyang vs. Kaesong Comparision

Pyongyang Kaesong
Cost of Living, including rent
1,672 $
1,567 $
Without Rent
715 $
629 $
Rent & Utilities
957 $
939 $
Food
494 $
498 $
Transport
167 $
78 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
424 $
404 $
Quality of Life
16
14
Population
2.9M
308.0K

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Pyongyang Kaesong

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
8.46 $ 8.53 $
Dinner, for 2 111 $ 111 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.03 $ 5.03 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.89 $ 1.78 $
Capuccino 1.91 $ 1.84 $
Coke, 330ml 0.52 $ 0.55 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.53 $ 2.5 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.65 $ 2.64 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.61 $ 2.65 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.53 $ 2.58 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.39 $ 9.57 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 17.9 $ 18.2 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.69 $ 6.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.14 $ 3.15 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.18 $ 1.24 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.58 $ 1.67 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.95 $ 3.03 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.99 $ 1.01 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.32 $ 0.34 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.18 $ 2.17 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 7.04 $ 6.94 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.69 $ 2.69 $
Cigarette pack 2.8 $ 2.82 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.37 $ 0.38 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 47.3 $ 46.6 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.88 $ 0.9 $
Taxi, 8 km 18.9 $ 19 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 16 $ 15.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.27 $ 3.59 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 2.93 $ 2.95 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.56 $ 1.56 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 4.4 $ 4.44 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
81.5 $ 81.2 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
125 $ 124 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
54.9 $ 55.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 803 $ 789 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,610 $ 1,569 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 893 $ 856 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 3,195 $ 3,083 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,714 $ 1,493 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 930 $ 854 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 424 $ 404 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 12.42 % 12.5 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 24.2 $ 22.7 $
Cinema, 1 seat 4.26 $ 4.26 $
Haircut 4.42 $ 4.04 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 64.5 $ 63.4 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 28.6 $ 28.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 104 $ 101 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 3,493 $ 3,340 $