Cost of living in United States compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 79% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 79% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (¥3,176) | ¥1,027 | + 209% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (¥1,776) | ¥808 | + 120% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.80 (¥862) | ¥613 | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.11 (¥164) | ¥220 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.25 (¥780) | ¥323 | + 141% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.85 (¥721) | ¥613 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (¥1,107) | ¥1,107 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.28 (¥637) | ¥766 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.31 (¥343) | ¥468 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.45 (¥514) | ¥304 | + 69% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (¥2,606) | ¥1,290 | + 102% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.92 (¥433) | ¥218 | + 99% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.17 (¥472) | ¥191 | + 147% | |
| Housing | + 69% | |||
| Housing in United States is 69% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,301 (¥490,638) | ¥365,082 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,469 (¥367,077) | ¥197,136 | + 86% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $227 (¥33,689) | ¥19,132 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,265 (¥336,681) | ¥174,888 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,664 (¥247,406) | ¥112,259 | + 120% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $171 (¥25,349) | ¥12,528 | + 102% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $63 (¥9,411) | ¥4,254 | + 121% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $249 (¥37,029) | ¥74,559 | - 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $146 (¥21,698) | ¥25,414 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (¥2,166) | ¥1,338 | + 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (¥5,110) | ¥3,163 | + 62% | |
| Clothes | + 34% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (¥8,672) | ¥8,708 | - 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (¥7,466) | ¥5,103 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (¥15,649) | ¥9,892 | + 58% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $144 (¥21,430) | ¥12,189 | + 76% | |
| Transportation | + 32% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 32% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,907 (¥4,594,141) | ¥3,079,890 | + 49% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.95 (¥141) | ¥170 | - 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $87 (¥12,877) | ¥9,221 | + 40% | |
| Personal Care | + 45% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 45% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (¥1,363) | ¥2,133 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (¥3,058) | ¥2,551 | + 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $159 (¥23,579) | ¥6,000 | + 293% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (¥1,324) | ¥1,337 | - 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.19 (¥771) | ¥930 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (¥1,037) | ¥622 | + 67% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.10 (¥757) | ¥224 | + 238% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 (¥346) | ¥188 | + 85% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (¥4,531) | ¥4,604 | - 2% | |
| Entertainment | + 63% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 63% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (¥9,001) | ¥4,908 | + 83% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (¥4,487) | ¥3,873 | + 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $212 (¥31,545) | ¥7,212 | + 337% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $103 (¥15,335) | ¥8,269 | + 85% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (¥2,211) | ¥1,244 | + 78% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.83 (¥867) | ¥547 | + 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (¥1,117) | ¥674 | + 66% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $495 (¥73,626) | ¥51,659 | + 43% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.54 (¥80) | ¥52 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $74 (¥10,939) | ¥9,530 | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (¥1,705) | ¥600 | + 184% | |
| TOTAL | + 58% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
148.645
JPY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,262 prices entered by 2,138 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 58% more expensive than in Japan
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