Cost of living in Taiwan compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Taiwan is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 202 NT$ (¥724) | ¥1,001 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 144 NT$ (¥517) | ¥722 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 133 NT$ (¥476) | ¥446 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 99 NT$ (¥356) | ¥214 | + 66% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 104 NT$ (¥374) | ¥289 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 156 NT$ (¥559) | ¥501 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 314 NT$ (¥1,125) | ¥1,246 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 186 NT$ (¥666) | ¥640 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 173 NT$ (¥622) | ¥381 | + 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 64 NT$ (¥231) | ¥260 | - 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 524 NT$ (¥1,877) | ¥1,652 | + 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 69 NT$ (¥249) | ¥221 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 37 NT$ (¥132) | ¥277 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Taiwan is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,975 NT$ (¥132,559) | ¥212,128 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 23,631 NT$ (¥84,717) | ¥121,270 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 4,352 NT$ (¥15,602) | ¥15,948 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 27,227 NT$ (¥97,612) | ¥127,445 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 17,055 NT$ (¥61,141) | ¥86,552 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,324 NT$ (¥8,332) | ¥11,000 | - 24% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,038 NT$ (¥3,720) | ¥3,835 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 16,501 NT$ (¥59,156) | ¥39,892 | + 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 5,162 NT$ (¥18,506) | ¥10,465 | + 77% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 286 NT$ (¥1,026) | ¥749 | + 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 423 NT$ (¥1,516) | ¥2,162 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in Taiwan is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,259 NT$ (¥8,100) | ¥6,528 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,408 NT$ (¥5,047) | ¥4,644 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,784 NT$ (¥9,981) | ¥7,685 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,361 NT$ (¥12,049) | ¥13,013 | - 7% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in Taiwan is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 912,103 NT$ (¥3,269,946) | ¥2,936,380 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 35 NT$ (¥125) | ¥142 | - 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,734 NT$ (¥6,216) | ¥9,348 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | + 9% | |||
| Personal Care in Taiwan is 9% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 319 NT$ (¥1,142) | ¥1,406 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 313 NT$ (¥1,124) | ¥929 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 986 NT$ (¥3,536) | ¥8,740 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 318 NT$ (¥1,139) | ¥554 | + 106% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 286 NT$ (¥1,026) | ¥669 | + 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 259 NT$ (¥929) | ¥525 | + 77% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 84 NT$ (¥302) | ¥206 | + 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 101 NT$ (¥360) | ¥238 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 437 NT$ (¥1,565) | ¥2,654 | - 41% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Taiwan is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,129 NT$ (¥4,047) | ¥3,275 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 641 NT$ (¥2,296) | ¥3,323 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,360 NT$ (¥12,048) | ¥16,766 | - 28% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,591 NT$ (¥5,703) | ¥5,924 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 463 NT$ (¥1,660) | ¥806 | + 106% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 115 NT$ (¥413) | ¥520 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 133 NT$ (¥476) | ¥510 | - 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,908 NT$ (¥49,861) | ¥47,417 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 11 NT$ (¥40) | ¥26 | + 53% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,427 NT$ (¥5,115) | ¥8,220 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 139 NT$ (¥499) | ¥491 | + 2% | |
| TOTAL | - 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
3.585
JPY
/
TWD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,932 prices entered by 222 different people.
Cost of living in Taiwan is 13% cheaper than in Japan
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