Cost of living in Tonga compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Tonga is 12% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Pa'anga 28 (¥1,731) | ¥1,035 | + 67% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Pa'anga 8 (¥495) | ¥840 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Pa'anga 5.00 (¥309) | ¥618 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Pa'anga 3.00 (¥186) | ¥237 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Pa'anga 8 (¥495) | ¥335 | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Pa'anga 3.00 (¥186) | ¥439 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Pa'anga 16 (¥989) | ¥1,195 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | - | ¥822 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Pa'anga 7 (¥433) | ¥509 | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥303 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Pa'anga 30 (¥1,855) | ¥1,267 | + 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Pa'anga 1.00 (¥62) | ¥276 | - 78% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Pa'anga 3.50 (¥216) | ¥293 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in Tonga is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Pa'anga 3,000 (¥185,508) | ¥365,082 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Pa'anga 2,000 (¥123,672) | ¥201,500 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Pa'anga 400 (¥24,734) | ¥19,132 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Pa'anga 2,000 (¥123,672) | ¥145,654 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Pa'anga 1,000 (¥61,836) | ¥102,459 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | ¥8,349 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Pa'anga 60 (¥3,710) | ¥4,448 | - 17% | |
| 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 | Pa'anga 5.00 (¥309) | ¥2,815 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in Tonga is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | 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) | - | ¥9,892 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | ¥12,189 | - | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Tonga is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Pa'anga 30,000 (¥1,855,079) | ¥3,060,780 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Pa'anga 4.00 (¥247) | ¥169 | + 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Pa'anga 40 (¥2,473) | ¥8,198 | - 70% | |
| Personal Care | + 4% | |||
| Personal Care in Tonga is 4% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | 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.) | Pa'anga 16 (¥965) | ¥622 | + 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | ¥224 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | ¥188 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Tonga is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Tonga | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Pa'anga 60 (¥3,710) | ¥4,908 | - 24% | |
| 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 | Pa'anga 100 (¥6,184) | ¥8,269 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Pa'anga 10 (¥618) | ¥1,244 | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Pa'anga 6.00 (¥371) | ¥547 | - 32% | |
| 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 | Pa'anga 50 (¥3,092) | ¥613 | + 405% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 390 prices entered by 95 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
61.836
JPY
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Cost of living in Tonga is 25% cheaper than in Japan
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