Ranked by estimated single-person monthly budget including rent
| # | City | Monthly budget | 1BR outside centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Changyŏn Hwangnam | $574 | $196 |
| 2 | Sejiyŏn Ryanggang | $574 | $196 |
| 3 | P’ungsan Ryanggang | $574 | $196 |
| 4 | Tae-dong P’yŏngbuk | $574 | $196 |
| 5 | Sil-li P’yŏngnam | $595 | $205 |
| 6 | Munha-dong Kangwŏn | $595 | $205 |
| 7 | Namsan Hambuk | $595 | $205 |
| 8 | Anju P’yŏngnam | $644 | $224 |
| 9 | Rajin Rasŏn | $644 | $224 |
| 10 | Kusŏng P’yŏngbuk | $644 | $224 |
| 11 | Hyesan Ryanggang | $644 | $224 |
| 12 | Chŏngju P’yŏngbuk | $644 | $224 |
| 13 | Hŭich’ŏn Chagang | $644 | $224 |
| 14 | Sinpo Hamnam | $644 | $224 |
| 15 | Songnim Hwangbuk | $644 | $224 |
| 16 | Munch’ŏn Kangwŏn | $644 | $224 |
| 17 | Ongjang Hwangnam | $644 | $224 |
| 18 | Hamhŭng Hamnam | $686 | $241 |
| 19 | Nampo Namp’o | $686 | $241 |
| 20 | Ch’ŏngjin Hambuk | $686 | $241 |
| 21 | Sunch’ŏn P’yŏngnam | $686 | $241 |
| 22 | Wŏnsan Kangwŏn | $686 | $241 |
| 23 | Sinŭiju P’yŏngbuk | $686 | $241 |
| 24 | Tanch’ŏn Hamnam | $686 | $241 |
| 25 | Kaech’ŏn P’yŏngnam | $686 | $241 |
| 26 | Kaesŏng Kaesŏng | $686 | $241 |
| 27 | Sariwŏn Hwangbuk | $686 | $241 |
| 28 | P’yŏngsŏng-si P’yŏngnam | $686 | $241 |
| 29 | Haeju Hwangnam | $686 | $241 |
| 30 | Kanggye Chagang | $686 | $241 |
| 31 | Pyongyang P’yŏngyang | $857 | $311 |