Cost of living in Japan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥998 (49元) | 46元 | + 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥723 (35元) | 40元 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥544 (27元) | 15元 | + 76% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥204 (10元) | 17元 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥323 (16元) | 18元 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥616 (30元) | 11元 | + 182% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥934 (46元) | 62元 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥850 (42元) | 15元 | + 173% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥535 (26元) | 7元 | + 293% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥288 (14元) | 6元 | + 118% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,240 (61元) | 118元 | - 49% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥240 (12元) | 9元 | + 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥202 (10元) | 15元 | - 35% | |
| Housing | + 22% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥279,056 (13,627元) | 13,507元 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥163,427 (7,980元) | 7,710元 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥23,363 (1,141元) | 488元 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥150,519 (7,350元) | 7,095元 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥81,210 (3,966元) | 4,246元 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥36,753 (1,795元) | 271元 | + 563% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,386 (214元) | 113元 | + 89% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥49,710 (2,427元) | 1,322元 | + 84% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥17,687 (864元) | 592元 | + 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,118 (55元) | 34元 | + 61% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥1,483 (72元) | 49元 | + 48% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,145 (300元) | 510元 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,263 (257元) | 252元 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,604 (469元) | 624元 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,529 (661元) | 839元 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | + 61% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 61% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,697,750 (131,735元) | 159,743元 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥170 (8元) | 9元 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,950 (486元) | 198元 | + 145% | |
| Personal Care | + 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,154 (105元) | 41元 | + 154% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,551 (125元) | 29元 | + 333% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥5,499 (269元) | 328元 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,340 (65元) | 52元 | + 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥842 (41元) | 45元 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥750 (37元) | 36元 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥225 (11元) | 12元 | - 7% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥233 (11元) | 15元 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,812 (186元) | 86元 | + 117% | |
| Entertainment | + 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Japan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,064 (198元) | 249元 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,590 (175元) | 111元 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥4,524 (221元) | 1,566元 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,047 (295元) | 399元 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥896 (44元) | 76元 | - 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥487 (24元) | 30元 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥585 (29元) | 15元 | + 87% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥98,506 (4,810元) | 2,783元 | + 73% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (2.55元) | 0.24元 | + 982% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,275 (453元) | 427元 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥587 (29元) | 24元 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.04883
CNY
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,257 prices entered by 256 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 31% more expensive than in China
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