Cost of living in United States compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 10% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $16 (¥1,838) | ¥1,140 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (¥988) | ¥728 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.56 (¥522) | ¥418 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.91 (¥104) | ¥210 | - 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.91 (¥333) | ¥275 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.30 (¥492) | ¥668 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (¥715) | ¥1,129 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.75 (¥429) | ¥710 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.94 (¥222) | ¥393 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.10 (¥355) | ¥255 | + 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (¥1,697) | ¥1,985 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.06 (¥235) | ¥206 | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.35 (¥269) | ¥211 | + 27% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in United States is 44% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,368 (¥270,891) | ¥217,328 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,811 (¥207,138) | ¥126,162 | + 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $190 (¥21,719) | ¥16,068 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,676 (¥191,787) | ¥132,665 | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,276 (¥146,027) | ¥70,782 | + 106% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $127 (¥14,570) | ¥9,982 | + 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $54 (¥6,212) | ¥4,119 | + 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $284 (¥32,488) | ¥46,045 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $129 (¥14,767) | ¥15,187 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (¥1,264) | ¥663 | + 91% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $24 (¥2,767) | ¥1,759 | + 57% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (¥5,587) | ¥7,849 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (¥4,955) | ¥3,745 | + 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $90 (¥10,258) | ¥8,707 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $112 (¥12,867) | ¥16,382 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,786 (¥2,721,273) | ¥2,749,320 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.83 (¥96) | ¥144 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $76 (¥8,732) | ¥11,441 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | + 14% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 14% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (¥829) | ¥700 | + 18% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (¥2,035) | ¥1,350 | + 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $109 (¥12,443) | ¥5,760 | + 116% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (¥765) | ¥2,342 | - 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.90 (¥446) | ¥937 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.25 (¥601) | ¥540 | + 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.97 (¥454) | ¥142 | + 220% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.90 (¥217) | ¥247 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $24 (¥2,689) | ¥2,858 | - 6% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $49 (¥5,558) | ¥4,449 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $26 (¥2,982) | ¥3,459 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 (¥19,120) | ¥16,372 | + 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $80 (¥9,105) | ¥3,771 | + 141% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (¥1,442) | ¥1,130 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.91 (¥561) | ¥520 | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.93 (¥678) | ¥517 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $442 (¥50,556) | ¥56,570 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.18 (¥20) | ¥49 | - 59% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (¥5,708) | ¥9,121 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (¥991) | ¥554 | + 79% | |
| TOTAL | + 9% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
114.407
JPY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,284 prices entered by 3,022 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 9% more expensive than in Japan
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