Cost of living in Northern Mariana Islands compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Northern Mariana Islands is 66% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $16 (¥2,289) | ¥1,035 | + 121% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 (¥1,633) | ¥840 | + 94% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6.00 (¥873) | ¥618 | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $3.00 (¥436) | ¥237 | + 84% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 (¥878) | ¥335 | + 162% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.18 (¥607) | ¥439 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (¥1,052) | ¥1,195 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.00 (¥436) | ¥822 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $5.09 (¥740) | ¥509 | + 45% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.66 (¥387) | ¥303 | + 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (¥2,305) | ¥1,267 | + 82% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $5.26 (¥765) | ¥276 | + 177% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.09 (¥449) | ¥293 | + 53% | |
| Housing | - 17% | |||
| Housing in Northern Mariana Islands is 17% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,444 (¥210,037) | ¥365,082 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $646 (¥93,966) | ¥197,136 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $211 (¥30,749) | ¥19,132 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $600 (¥87,260) | ¥145,654 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $389 (¥56,550) | ¥102,459 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $250 (¥36,359) | ¥8,349 | + 335% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $40 (¥5,817) | ¥4,448 | + 31% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $700 (¥101,804) | ¥74,559 | + 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $225 (¥32,723) | ¥25,414 | + 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | ¥1,338 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $28 (¥4,025) | ¥2,815 | + 43% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Northern Mariana Islands is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $37 (¥5,411) | ¥9,315 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (¥7,195) | ¥5,103 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $117 (¥16,945) | ¥9,892 | + 71% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $100 (¥14,533) | ¥12,189 | + 19% | |
| Transportation | + 33% | |||
| Transportation in Northern Mariana Islands is 33% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,000 (¥3,926,718) | ¥3,122,540 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.49 (¥217) | ¥169 | + 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (¥11,378) | ¥8,198 | + 39% | |
| Personal Care | + 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Northern Mariana Islands is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (¥955) | ¥2,133 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $60 (¥8,726) | ¥2,551 | + 242% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $75 (¥10,908) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $4.00 (¥582) | ¥1,337 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $9 (¥1,271) | ¥930 | + 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.00 (¥727) | ¥622 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.50 (¥654) | ¥224 | + 192% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $5.25 (¥764) | ¥188 | + 307% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $13 (¥1,857) | ¥4,604 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Northern Mariana Islands is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Northern Mariana Islands | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $30 (¥4,363) | ¥4,908 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $17 (¥2,481) | ¥3,881 | - 36% | |
| 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 | $64 (¥9,291) | ¥8,269 | + 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 (¥1,007) | ¥1,244 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.93 (¥862) | ¥547 | + 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6.00 (¥873) | ¥674 | + 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $110 (¥15,998) | ¥51,659 | - 69% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $80 (¥11,635) | ¥9,530 | + 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (¥1,212) | ¥602 | + 101% | |
| TOTAL | + 15% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 511 prices entered by 99 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
145.434
JPY
/
USD
Cost of living in Northern Mariana Islands is 15% more expensive than in Japan
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