Cost of living comparison
North Korea is 2.1 times more expensive than Bhutan overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.8 times more in North Korea
- Groceries
-
pay 51.7% more in North Korea
- Housing
-
pay 11.6% less in North Korea
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 35.0% more in North Korea
The cost of restaurants, groceries, and entertainment and sports in North Korea are more expensive than in Bhutan. Notably, restaurants is significantly more expensive in North Korea.
If you lived in North Korea instead of Bhutan, you would:
pay 4.8 times more for restaurants
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$2.95
BTN251.80
|
?? | |
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$2.95
BTN251.80
|
?? | |
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.55
BTN47.34
|
$2.14
KPW1,929
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.19
BTN15.95
|
$1.07
KPW965
|
|
pay 51.7% more for groceries
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$0.94
BTN80.58
|
$2.20
KPW1,983
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$1.68
BTN143.53
|
?? | |
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.17
BTN270.70
|
$3.40
KPW3,058
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.20
BTN188.35
|
$2.52
KPW2,267
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$1.74
BTN148.48
|
?? | |
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.07
BTN91.37
|
?? | |
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.65
BTN55.97
|
?? | |
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.82
BTN70.36
|
?? | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.37
BTN31.52
|
?? | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.23
BTN19.65
|
?? | |
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.26
BTN21.93
|
?? | |
pay (unknown) more for transportation
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.93
BTN335.48
|
?? | |
| Monthly public transit pass |
$3.97
BTN338.95
|
?? | |
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$21,215.98
BTN1,812,972.62
|
?? | |
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$15.09
BTN1,289.22
|
?? |
pay 11.6% less for housing
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$31.25
BTN2,670.03
|
?? | |
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$124.45
BTN10,634.76
|
$85.74
KPW77,167
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$79.38
BTN6,783.46
|
$85.74
KPW77,167
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$16.69
BTN1,425.97
|
?? | |
pay (unknown) more for childcare
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$246.05
BTN21,025.45
|
?? | |
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$677.73
BTN57,914.40
|
?? |
pay 35.0% more for entertainment and sports
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.43
BTN549.59
|
$12.86
KPW11,575
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$1.53
BTN130.94
|
$1.07
KPW965
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$3.83
BTN327.34
|
?? | |
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$49.11
BTN4,196.70
|
?? | |
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$3.54
BTN302.16
|
?? | |
pay (unknown) more for clothing
|
Bhutan
|
North Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$9.43
BTN805.77
|
?? | |
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$11.79
BTN1,007.21
|
?? | |
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$32.41
BTN2,769.82
|
?? | |
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$32.41
BTN2,769.82
|
?? |
Change currency:
Help us improve these prices
ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY
Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about North Korea or Bhutan. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.