Cost of living
South Korea compared to North Korea
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Overview comparison
South KoreaNorth Korea
Consumer prices in South Korea are roughly 45% higher than in North Korea.
Cost of living
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
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| Total with rent one person | 1,345 | 1,873 |
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| Total with rent family | 3,148 | 3,899 |
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| Without rent one person | 783 | 612 |
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| Without rent one family | 2,362 | 2,155 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 497.99 | 838.14 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 1,112.64 | 1,724.89 |
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| Food person | 484 | 444 |
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| Food family | 1,319 | 1,187 |
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| Transport person | 100.94 | 103.55 |
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| Transport family | 292.51 | 286.92 |
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| Life expectancy | 83.63 years | 73.74 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 5.48 | 9.83 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 35.1 | 105.21 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 5.76 | 4.5 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 3.49 | 1.91 |
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| Cappuccino | 3.27 | 2.04 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 1.47 | 0.55 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 557.93 | 930 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 297.08 | 664.39 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 1,188.78 | 2,499.79 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 760.76 | 1,596.98 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 99.45 | 95.6 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 161.15 | 112.39 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 17.95 | 63.18 |
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Transportation
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 4.74 | 14.41 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.13 | 0.35 |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 9.72 | 15.37 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.44 | 0.95 |
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Groceries
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
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| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.86 | 2.49 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 3.36 | 2.21 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 3.36 | 2.35 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 12.74 | 8.22 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 9.03 | 18.08 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 27.04 | 5.42 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 3.23 | 1.42 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.67 | 0.3 |
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Other
| Item | South Korea | North Korea |
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| Gym Membership, 1 month | 50.16 | 21.17 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 9.93 | 4.45 |
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| Doctors visit | 34.01 | 15.48 |
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| Haircut, simple | 7.81 | 3.76 |
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| Brand Jeans | 54.11 | 22.44 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 79.5 | 71.25 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 395.05 | 108.49 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 25,632 | 3,990 |
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