Cost of living in Kiribati compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 37% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kiribati is 37% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$12 (¥1,154) | ¥1,035 | + 12% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$30 (¥2,885) | ¥820 | + 252% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | ¥618 | - | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$3.80 (¥365) | ¥237 | + 54% | |
12 eggs, large | AU$8 (¥808) | ¥335 | + 141% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | ¥439 | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥1,195 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | ¥822 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | ¥509 | - | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$3.00 (¥288) | ¥312 | - 7% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 (¥1,923) | ¥1,267 | + 52% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | - | ¥276 | - | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ¥293 | - | |
Housing | - 32% | |||
Housing in Kiribati is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$963 (¥92,588) | ¥365,082 | - 75% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$857 (¥82,416) | ¥197,811 | - 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$321 (¥30,909) | ¥19,132 | + 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ¥145,654 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥106,059 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$60 (¥5,769) | ¥8,349 | - 31% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥4,448 | - | |
40” flat screen tv | - | ¥74,559 | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥25,414 | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$20 (¥1,923) | ¥1,338 | + 44% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in Kiribati is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥9,315 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | ¥5,103 | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥10,686 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,189 | - | |
Transportation | ||||
Transportation in Kiribati is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,060,780 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | ¥169 | - | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥8,198 | - | |
Personal Care | + 9% | |||
Personal Care in Kiribati is 9% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | ¥2,133 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥2,551 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥1,337 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | ¥930 | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | ¥622 | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$6.00 (¥577) | ¥224 | + 157% | |
Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥188 | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
Entertainment | - 11% | |||
Entertainment in Kiribati is 11% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Kiribati | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$12 (¥1,154) | ¥4,908 | - 76% | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,881 | - | |
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 | - | ¥8,269 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥1,244 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | ¥547 | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$3.00 (¥288) | ¥674 | - 57% | |
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 | - | ¥9,530 | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$15 (¥1,410) | ¥613 | + 130% | |
TOTAL | - 10% |

These prices were last updated on June 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
96.156
JPY
/
AUD
Cost of living in Kiribati is 10% cheaper than in Japan
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