Skyline of Pyongyang
Cost of Living: 35 3,000,000

Pyongyang, North Korea

Pyongyang is a city in North Korea with a population of 3,000,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Pyongyang is a city in Pyongyang with a population of 3,000,000. Pyongyang is a city in North Korea with a population of 3,000,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 35

Below Average vs North Korea Avg (100)

Housing Index 20

Affordable

Median Income ₩ 1,200,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.0%

Job market health

Pyongyang vs North Korea Average

Cost of Living
Pyongyang: 35
North Korea Avg: 100
Housing Index
Pyongyang: 20
North Korea Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ₩ 1,200,000
  • Unemployment: 4.0%
  • Population: 3,000,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 18°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: ₩10,000
  • 1BR Rent: ₩50/mo

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Cost of Living

Pyongyang's cost of living index is 35 (North Korea average = 100).

CategoryPyongyangNational AverageDifference
Overall35100-65.0%
Housing20100-80.0%

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price₩10,000
Median Rent (1BR)₩50/mo
Median Rent (2BR)₩63/mo
Price per Sq Ft₩6

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 Pyongyang:

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

Pyongyang scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 35
Rent
— ₩50
Sunny Days
— 200
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 4.0%
Climate
— 82°F / 18°F
Safety
— 4.0 homicides/100k
Population
— 3,000,000
Internet Speed
— 2 Mbps

Climate

Pyongyang has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January38°F18°F2.5"
April67°F33°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F36°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Pyongyang 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 4.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Pyongyang 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.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Pyongyang is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Korean
99.0%
Other
1.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
20.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Buddhist
4.0%
Christian
2.0%
Folk
16.0%
Other
8.0%
Unaffiliated
70.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Central Bureau of Statistics (2008)

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 Pyongyang, North Korea?

The cost of living index in Pyongyang is 35, which is Lower the North Korea national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Pyongyang is ₩10,000. The housing index is 20.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Pyongyang is approximately ₩50/mo.

Does Pyongyang, Pyongyang have income tax?

Pyongyang is in Pyongyang, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Pyongyang?

Pyongyang enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 18°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.