Cost of living in Aruba compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 43% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Aruba is 43% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ƒ 25 (¥2,020) | ¥1,035 | + 95% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ƒ 14 (¥1,092) | ¥840 | + 30% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ƒ 7 (¥595) | ¥618 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ƒ 4.38 (¥354) | ¥237 | + 50% | |
12 eggs, large | ƒ 6 (¥521) | ¥335 | + 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ƒ 8 (¥642) | ¥439 | + 46% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ƒ 12 (¥970) | ¥1,195 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ƒ 8 (¥686) | ¥822 | - 17% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ƒ 7 (¥562) | ¥509 | + 10% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ƒ 5.98 (¥483) | ¥303 | + 60% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ƒ 65 (¥5,252) | ¥1,267 | + 315% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ƒ 7 (¥561) | ¥276 | + 103% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ƒ 2.00 (¥162) | ¥293 | - 45% | |
Housing | - 18% | |||
Housing in Aruba is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ƒ 2,500 (¥201,992) | ¥365,082 | - 45% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ƒ 1,800 (¥145,434) | ¥197,136 | - 26% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ƒ 300 (¥24,239) | ¥19,132 | + 27% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ƒ 1,850 (¥149,474) | ¥145,654 | + 3% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ƒ 1,250 (¥100,996) | ¥102,459 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ƒ 225 (¥18,179) | ¥8,349 | + 118% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ƒ 54 (¥4,363) | ¥4,448 | - 2% | |
40” flat screen tv | ƒ 556 (¥44,919) | ¥74,559 | - 40% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ƒ 300 (¥24,239) | ¥25,414 | - 5% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ƒ 47 (¥3,797) | ¥1,338 | + 184% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ƒ 13 (¥1,012) | ¥2,815 | - 64% | |
Clothes | + 41% | |||
Clothes in Aruba is 41% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ƒ 93 (¥7,474) | ¥9,315 | - 20% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ƒ 113 (¥9,090) | ¥5,103 | + 78% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ƒ 200 (¥16,159) | ¥9,892 | + 63% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ƒ 275 (¥22,219) | ¥12,189 | + 82% | |
Transportation | + 46% | |||
Transportation in Aruba is 46% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,122,540 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ƒ 5.19 (¥419) | ¥169 | + 147% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ƒ 152 (¥12,281) | ¥8,198 | + 50% | |
Personal Care | - 31% | |||
Personal Care in Aruba is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥2,133 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ƒ 15 (¥1,212) | ¥2,551 | - 52% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ƒ 150 (¥12,120) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ƒ 3.89 (¥314) | ¥1,337 | - 76% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ƒ 4.99 (¥403) | ¥930 | - 57% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ƒ 4.37 (¥353) | ¥622 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ƒ 6.00 (¥485) | ¥224 | + 116% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ƒ 3.16 (¥256) | ¥188 | + 36% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ƒ 28 (¥2,284) | ¥4,604 | - 50% | |
Entertainment | + 20% | |||
Entertainment in Aruba is 20% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Aruba | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ƒ 75 (¥6,060) | ¥4,908 | + 23% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ƒ 30 (¥2,424) | ¥3,881 | - 38% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ƒ 180 (¥14,543) | ¥8,269 | + 76% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ƒ 18 (¥1,454) | ¥1,244 | + 17% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ƒ 7 (¥566) | ¥547 | + 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ƒ 11 (¥857) | ¥674 | + 27% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥51,659 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ƒ 185 (¥14,947) | ¥9,530 | + 57% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥602 | - | |
TOTAL | + 16% |

These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
80.797
JPY
/
AWG
Cost of living in Aruba is 16% more expensive than in Japan
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