Moving to Iran from North Korea
What to Expect
Considering a move from North Korea to Iran? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from North Korea to Iran, and you’d need to navigate life in Persian (Farsi). Expect a noticeable climate shift — Tehran averages 72°F vs 60°F in P'yongyang, making it significantly warmer.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓Get free moving quotes to Iran
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Iran compared to North Korea.
How's the healthcare?
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
North Korea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Iran leads in health coverage index.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
North Korea generally does better on environment, though Iran leads in air pollution deaths.
Will I have good infrastructure?
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
North Korea generally does better on infrastructure, though Iran leads in electricity per capita.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
North Korea generally does better on employment & economy, though Iran leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
percentage of adults who can read and write
Iran generally does better on family life, though North Korea leads in literacy rate.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | P'yongyang | Tehran |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 38°/20°F (4°/-7°C) | 52°/35°F (11°/2°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) | 82°/61°F (28°/16°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 81°/65°F (27°/18°C) | 94°/72°F (35°/22°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 50°/31°F (10°/0°C) | 62°/44°F (17°/7°C) |
View all months
| Month | P'yongyang | Tehran |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°/13°F (-0.8°/-10.7°C) | 45°/30°F (7.2°/-1.1°C) |
| Feb | 36°/18°F (2.4°/-7.8°C) | 50°/33°F (9.9°/0.7°C) |
| Mar | 48°/29°F (8.9°/-1.8°C) | 60°/41°F (15.4°/5.2°C) |
| Apr | 63°/41°F (17.1°/4.9°C) | 71°/52°F (21.9°/10.9°C) |
| May | 73°/52°F (22.6°/10.9°C) | 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.1°C) |
| Jun | 80°/62°F (26.7°/16.5°C) | 93°/70°F (34.1°/20.9°C) |
| Jul | 83°/69°F (28.6°/20.7°C) | 98°/75°F (36.8°/24.0°C) |
| Aug | 84°/69°F (28.9°/20.5°C) | 96°/73°F (35.4°/23.0°C) |
| Sep | 76°/58°F (24.7°/14.3°C) | 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.2°C) |
| Oct | 65°/44°F (18.2°/6.7°C) | 75°/55°F (24.0°/12.9°C) |
| Nov | 49°/31°F (9.4°/-0.3°C) | 62°/44°F (16.5°/6.7°C) |
| Dec | 35°/19°F (1.7°/-7.2°C) | 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.3°C) |
Data:
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between North Korea and Iran. To live, work, or study long-term in Iran, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Iran's immigration authority.
North Korea passport holder visiting Iran
Visa on Arrival
Iran passport holder visiting North Korea
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Iran?
From major Iran cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in North Korea and Iran are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in Iran compared to North Korea?
North Korea generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Iran leads in health coverage index. There are 15.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Iran, compared to 36.7 in North Korea. Iran scores 74 on the WHO universal health coverage index (North Korea: 68).
What's the weather like in Iran compared to North Korea?
The average high temperature in Tehran is 72°F, compared to 60°F in P'yongyang. Tehran receives around 9.1 in of rainfall per year, while P'yongyang gets 37.0 in.
What language do they speak in Iran?
The official language in Iran is Persian (Farsi). In North Korea, the official language is Korean.
