Living in Pyongyang
What it really costs to live in Pyongyang, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for North Korea, updated 2026. Pyongyang lies in Eastern Asia. The main language is Korean. North Korea borders China, South Korea, Russia.
Cost of Living in Pyongyang
Full Monthly Breakdown for Pyongyang
What You Can Earn in North Korea
Typical gross annual salaries in North Korea by sector (entry · median · senior). Pyongyang pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €1 500 | €2 500 | €3 500 |
| retail | €1 000 | €1 000 | €1 500 |
| finance | €1 500 | €2 000 | €3 000 |
| education | €1 000 | €1 500 | €2 000 |
| healthcare | €1 500 | €2 000 | €2 500 |
| engineering | €1 500 | €2 000 | €3 000 |
| hospitality | €1 000 | €1 500 | €2 000 |
| construction | €1 000 | €1 500 | €2 000 |
Living in Pyongyang: Safety, Health & Climate
Pyongyang shares North Korea's wider quality-of-life profile. Pyongyang has a temperate climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Taxes in North Korea
Top marginal rate 10%, VAT 0%.
Settling into Pyongyang
- Budget around €5 000 for first-month setup in Pyongyang.
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How much does it cost to live in Pyongyang?
A single person in central Pyongyang should budget about €1 975/month, roughly €1 745 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €3 800/month.
Can I get a visa to live in North Korea?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about None years. See the full North Korea visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: North Korea Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries