Cost of living in Tokyo (Japan) is about the same as in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 582 prices entered by 81 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Tokyo (Japan) is 7% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,032 (£6) | £11 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥721 (£4.47) | £6 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥553 (£3.43) | £3.11 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥199 (£1.24) | £1.00 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥284 (£1.76) | £3.44 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥631 (£3.92) | £2.05 | + 91% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,006 (£6) | £3.39 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥939 (£5.83) | £2.03 | + 186% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥592 (£3.67) | £0.87 | + 321% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥289 (£1.79) | £1.74 | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,241 (£8) | £8 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥239 (£1.48) | £2.04 | - 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥211 (£1.31) | £0.91 | + 44% | |
| Housing | + 10% | |||
| Housing in Tokyo (Japan) is 10% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥343,765 (£2,133) | £1,491 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥189,101 (£1,173) | £1,037 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥25,691 (£159) | £272 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥159,856 (£992) | £852 | + 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥92,905 (£577) | £865 | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥18,187 (£113) | £84 | + 35% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,516 (£28) | £27 | + 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥50,930 (£316) | £347 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,954 (£62) | £102 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥985 (£6) | £7 | - 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,206 (£14) | £13 | + 5% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in Tokyo (Japan) is about the same as in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,146 (£38) | £63 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,168 (£32) | £28 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥8,786 (£55) | £67 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,791 (£86) | £62 | + 38% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Tokyo (Japan) is 5% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,687,690 (£16,679) | £24,000 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥166 (£1.03) | £1.37 | - 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥10,345 (£64) | £65 | - 1% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ¥3,972 (£25) | £13 | + 91% | |
| Personal Care | - 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Tokyo (Japan) is 13% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,787 (£11) | £7 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥1,320 (£8) | £8 | + 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥4,244 (£26) | £100 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥759 (£4.71) | £3.66 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥601 (£3.73) | £1.98 | + 88% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥407 (£2.52) | £3.40 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥206 (£1.28) | £1.99 | - 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥262 (£1.62) | £1.92 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,216 (£20) | £13 | + 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Tokyo (Japan) is 7% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥3,820 (£24) | £23 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,590 (£22) | £19 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥11,604 (£72) | £93 | - 22% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,254 (£39) | £49 | - 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,006 (£6) | £8 | - 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥470 (£2.92) | £3.15 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥574 (£3.56) | £4.04 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥48,237 (£299) | £444 | - 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (£0.33) | £0.19 | + 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,331 (£58) | £25 | + 128% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥600 (£3.72) | £11 | - 67% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 2% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 582 prices entered by 81 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00621
GBP
/
JPY
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For example, you would need at least £4,919 (¥792,596) in Tokyo to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £4,800 in Birmingham.
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