Skyline of Chongjin
Cost of Living: 32 600,000

Chongjin, North Korea

Chongjin is a city in North Korea with a population of 600,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 32

Below Average vs North Korea Avg (100)

Housing Index 17

Affordable

Median Income ₩ 900,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Chongjin vs North Korea Average

Cost of Living
Chongjin: 32
North Korea Avg: 100
Housing Index
Chongjin: 17
North Korea Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ₩ 900,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 600,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 78°F
  • Winter Low: 10°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: ₩7,000
  • 1BR Rent: ₩35/mo

Cost of Living

Chongjin's cost of living index is 32 (North Korea average = 100).

CategoryChongjinNational AverageDifference
Overall32100-68.0%
Housing17100-83.0%

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price₩7,000
Median Rent (1BR)₩35/mo
Median Rent (2BR)₩44/mo
Price per Sq Ft₩4

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Chongjin:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity₩0
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water₩0Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)₩0Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities₩0Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: National Utility Regulator, 2025

Remote Work Score

Chongjin scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
32
Rent
₩35
Sunny Days
180
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
78°F / 10°F
Safety
4.0 homicides/100k
Population
600,000
Internet Speed
2 Mbps

Climate

Chongjin has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January30°F10°F2.5"
April63°F25°F2.8"
July78°F53°F1.5"
October58°F28°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Chongjin faces the following natural hazards:

Typhoon High Risk

Significant typhoon risk.

Blizzard High Risk

North Korea experiences severe winter storms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding during monsoon.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Chongjin per 100,000 residents:

30.0
Violent Crime
30.0
Property Crime
4.0
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic calendar.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chongjin, North Korea?

The cost of living index in Chongjin is 32, which is Lower the North Korea national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Chongjin?

The median home price in Chongjin is ₩7,000. The housing index is 17.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chongjin is approximately ₩35/mo.

Does Chongjin, North Hamgyong have income tax?

Chongjin is in North Hamgyong, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Chongjin?

Chongjin enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 78°F, while winter lows can drop to around 10°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: National Statistics, 2024
  • Utilities National Utility Regulator, 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.