Cost of living in Russia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Russia is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | руб 537 (¥974) | ¥1,035 | - 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | руб 357 (¥648) | ¥840 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | руб 199 (¥362) | ¥618 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | руб 87 (¥157) | ¥237 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | руб 143 (¥260) | ¥335 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | руб 226 (¥410) | ¥439 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | руб 435 (¥790) | ¥1,195 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | руб 131 (¥238) | ¥822 | - 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | руб 55 (¥101) | ¥509 | - 80% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | руб 87 (¥158) | ¥303 | - 48% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | руб 729 (¥1,323) | ¥1,267 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | руб 167 (¥303) | ¥276 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | руб 45 (¥81) | ¥293 | - 72% | |
| Housing | - 43% | |||
| Housing in Russia is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | руб 108,612 (¥197,092) | ¥365,082 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | руб 58,529 (¥106,209) | ¥197,136 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | руб 8,064 (¥14,634) | ¥19,132 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | руб 54,731 (¥99,316) | ¥145,654 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | руб 33,269 (¥60,371) | ¥102,459 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | руб 5,365 (¥9,736) | ¥8,349 | + 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | руб 955 (¥1,733) | ¥4,448 | - 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | руб 21,598 (¥39,192) | ¥74,559 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,518 (¥13,642) | ¥25,414 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | руб 548 (¥994) | ¥1,338 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | руб 763 (¥1,384) | ¥2,815 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in Russia is 29% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | руб 6,829 (¥12,392) | ¥9,315 | + 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | руб 3,368 (¥6,112) | ¥5,103 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | руб 7,728 (¥14,024) | ¥9,892 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | руб 9,144 (¥16,594) | ¥12,189 | + 36% | |
| Transportation | - 29% | |||
| Transportation in Russia is 29% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | руб 2,729,180 (¥4,952,477) | ¥3,122,540 | + 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | руб 56 (¥101) | ¥169 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | руб 2,159 (¥3,917) | ¥8,198 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Russia is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | руб 251 (¥456) | ¥2,133 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | руб 549 (¥996) | ¥2,551 | - 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | руб 1,878 (¥3,409) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | руб 347 (¥630) | ¥1,337 | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | руб 222 (¥402) | ¥930 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | руб 181 (¥328) | ¥622 | - 47% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | руб 123 (¥224) | ¥224 | - 0% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | руб 128 (¥233) | ¥188 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | руб 559 (¥1,014) | ¥4,604 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Russia is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Russia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | руб 1,534 (¥2,784) | ¥4,908 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | руб 654 (¥1,187) | ¥3,881 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | руб 5,196 (¥9,429) | ¥7,212 | + 31% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | руб 3,180 (¥5,770) | ¥8,269 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | руб 502 (¥911) | ¥1,244 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | руб 192 (¥349) | ¥547 | - 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | руб 228 (¥414) | ¥674 | - 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | руб 51,956 (¥94,281) | ¥51,659 | + 83% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | руб 4.26 (¥8) | ¥52 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | руб 3,278 (¥5,949) | ¥9,530 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | руб 202 (¥366) | ¥602 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 2,299 prices entered by 258 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 01, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.815
JPY
/
RUB
Cost of living in Russia is 36% cheaper than in Japan
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