Cost of living in Hong Kong compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Hong Kong is 24% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | HK$80 (¥1,469) | ¥1,035 | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | HK$50 (¥909) | ¥840 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | HK$39 (¥710) | ¥618 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | HK$25 (¥456) | ¥237 | + 92% | |
| 12 eggs, large | HK$30 (¥557) | ¥335 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | HK$25 (¥453) | ¥439 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | HK$98 (¥1,797) | ¥1,195 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | HK$30 (¥558) | ¥822 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | HK$20 (¥364) | ¥509 | - 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | HK$18 (¥333) | ¥303 | + 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | HK$210 (¥3,856) | ¥1,267 | + 204% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | HK$16 (¥296) | ¥276 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | HK$19 (¥345) | ¥293 | + 18% | |
| Housing | + 88% | |||
| Housing in Hong Kong is 88% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | HK$39,730 (¥729,209) | ¥365,082 | + 100% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | HK$27,196 (¥499,155) | ¥201,500 | + 148% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | HK$1,418 (¥26,033) | ¥19,132 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | HK$19,653 (¥360,714) | ¥145,654 | + 148% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | HK$13,702 (¥251,486) | ¥102,459 | + 145% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | HK$799 (¥14,664) | ¥8,349 | + 76% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | HK$190 (¥3,481) | ¥4,448 | - 22% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | HK$3,504 (¥64,317) | ¥74,559 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | HK$1,032 (¥18,948) | ¥25,414 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | HK$104 (¥1,904) | ¥1,338 | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | HK$78 (¥1,431) | ¥2,815 | - 49% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Hong Kong is 23% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | HK$609 (¥11,170) | ¥9,315 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | HK$310 (¥5,689) | ¥5,103 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | HK$705 (¥12,942) | ¥9,892 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | HK$1,097 (¥20,139) | ¥12,189 | + 65% | |
| Transportation | + 49% | |||
| Transportation in Hong Kong is 49% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | HK$295,916 (¥5,431,234) | ¥3,060,780 | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | HK$24 (¥448) | ¥169 | + 164% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | HK$550 (¥10,093) | ¥8,198 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 17% | |||
| Personal Care in Hong Kong is 17% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | HK$353 (¥6,480) | ¥2,133 | + 204% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | HK$88 (¥1,615) | ¥2,551 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | HK$493 (¥9,044) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | HK$40 (¥734) | ¥1,337 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | HK$24 (¥434) | ¥930 | - 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | HK$68 (¥1,243) | ¥622 | + 100% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | HK$19 (¥346) | ¥224 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | HK$23 (¥418) | ¥188 | + 123% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | HK$176 (¥3,239) | ¥4,604 | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | + 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Hong Kong is 59% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Hong Kong | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | HK$337 (¥6,191) | ¥4,908 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | HK$199 (¥3,653) | ¥3,881 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | HK$500 (¥9,179) | ¥7,212 | + 27% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | HK$554 (¥10,174) | ¥8,269 | + 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | HK$165 (¥3,029) | ¥1,244 | + 144% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | HK$40 (¥737) | ¥547 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | HK$60 (¥1,108) | ¥674 | + 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | HK$25,000 (¥458,849) | ¥51,659 | + 788% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | HK$1.00 (¥18) | ¥52 | - 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | HK$634 (¥11,640) | ¥9,530 | + 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | HK$102 (¥1,870) | ¥613 | + 205% | |
| TOTAL | + 56% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 727 prices entered by 152 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
18.354
JPY
/
HKD
Cost of living in Hong Kong is 56% more expensive than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 17% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 41% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 31% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 38% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Argentina is 14% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Andorra is 26% more expensive than in Japan