Cost of living in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 4% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥1,052 | - | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | ¥806 | - | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 50,000 Dobra (¥366) | ¥571 | - 36% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | ¥230 | - | |
12 eggs, large | - | ¥328 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | ¥615 | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | ¥1,198 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | ¥702 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | ¥468 | - | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥304 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,292 | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | - | ¥218 | - | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ¥191 | - | |
Housing | ||||
Housing in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥364,940 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥197,136 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | ¥19,817 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ¥174,888 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥106,796 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥12,528 | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | ¥4,254 | - | |
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.) | - | ¥1,338 | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,831 | - | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | ¥8,708 | - | |
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) | - | ¥9,729 | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,189 | - | |
Transportation | ||||
Transportation in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,019,750 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | - | ¥170 | - | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | ¥9,221 | - | |
Personal Care | ||||
Personal Care in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | 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) | - | ¥6,000 | - | |
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 | - | ¥224 | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥188 | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
Entertainment | ||||
Entertainment in Sao Tome and Principe is about the same as in Japan | ||||
Sao Tome and Principe | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥4,908 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,873 | - | |
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.) | - | ¥674 | - | |
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 | - | ¥600 | - | |
TOTAL | - 4% |

These prices were last updated on February 03, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00732
JPY
/
STD
Cost of living in Sao Tome and Principe is 4% cheaper than in Japan
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