After studying DPRK wages and prices for a while, I wanted to make a comparison between the economic life of a north Korean coal miner in North Hamgyong Province compared to one in West Virginia, USA.
Working conditions
Workweek
DPRK: 6 hours/day, 6 days/week (36 hours)
USA: 10 hours/day, 5 days/week (50 hours)
Paid Time Off
DPRK: 52 weekends + 71 national holidays + 28 PTO = 151 days
US: 104 weekends + 11 national holidays = 124 days
% unionized
DPRK: 100% (+ Taean work system giving extra worker democracy)
USA: 17%
Monthly wages & expenses
Wages
DPRK: 360,000 KPW
USA: 4,600 USD
Rent
DPRK: Free
USA: 600 USD (13% income)
Utilities
DPRK: Free
USA: 200 USD (4.3% income)
Food
DPRK: Free (From PDS)
USA: 710 USD (15.4% income)
Healthcare
DPRK: Free
USA: 1400 USD (30% income)
Taxes
DPRK: No taxes
USA: 750 USD (16% income)
Leftover Salary after monthly expenses
DPRK: 360,000 KPW
USA: 940 USD
One-time purchases
Television
DPRK: 22,000 KPW (6% of saved income, subsidized by state)
USA: 100 USD (11% of saved income)
Bicycle
DPRK: 250,000 KPW (69% of saved income, unreliable figure)
USA: 100 USD (11% of saved income)
However, most Americans cannot navigate with just a bike and need a car (15,000 USD) while DPRK residents only need a bike due to better-planned towns.
Aspirin, one bottle
DPRK: 600 KPW (0.17% saved income)
USA: $8 (0.89% saved income)
Eating out at a medium-grade restaurant, per person
DPRK: 20,000 KPW (5.6% saved income)
USA: 25 USD (2.8% saved income)
Ski Vacation, per person
DPRK: Free (Paid for by government)
USA: 2,500 USD (278% saved income)
Long-term Expenses
Childbirth
DPRK: Free (Covered by healthcare)
USA: 20,000 USD (2200% saved income)
Tertiary Education
DPRK: Free (All universities)
USA: 52,000 USD (4 years at WVU, 5780% saved income)
Funeral
DPRK: Free (Paid for by government)
USA: 5000 USD (556% saved income)
Please tell me if I made a mistake or missed out on something crucial. Of course, there is no way to portray the increased workers' rights and enhanced democratic system in numbers.