Cost of living in United States compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 32% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (¥2,411) | ¥1,510 | + 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (¥1,276) | ¥760 | + 68% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.73 (¥744) | ¥442 | + 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (¥141) | ¥221 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.49 (¥583) | ¥344 | + 70% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.56 (¥592) | ¥626 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (¥913) | ¥855 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.23 (¥549) | ¥1,035 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (¥279) | ¥461 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (¥427) | ¥271 | + 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (¥2,083) | ¥1,299 | + 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.54 (¥330) | ¥205 | + 61% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.82 (¥366) | ¥227 | + 62% | |
| Housing | + 57% | |||
| Housing in United States is 57% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,781 (¥360,818) | ¥218,917 | + 65% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,073 (¥268,987) | ¥128,457 | + 109% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $217 (¥28,122) | ¥27,749 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,938 (¥251,473) | ¥187,909 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,451 (¥188,274) | ¥76,748 | + 145% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $147 (¥19,059) | ¥19,268 | - 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (¥7,662) | ¥4,419 | + 73% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $302 (¥39,148) | ¥43,152 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $131 (¥16,939) | ¥17,240 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (¥1,698) | ¥1,196 | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (¥4,231) | ¥3,024 | + 40% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 42% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (¥6,841) | ¥6,406 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (¥6,062) | ¥3,885 | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $94 (¥12,139) | ¥8,497 | + 43% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (¥15,442) | ¥10,842 | + 42% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,552 (¥3,574,942) | ¥3,145,430 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.14 (¥147) | ¥167 | - 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (¥10,117) | ¥13,986 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | + 48% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (¥991) | ¥2,137 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (¥2,965) | ¥1,967 | + 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (¥18,004) | ¥4,294 | + 319% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (¥1,061) | ¥677 | + 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.67 (¥606) | ¥635 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.76 (¥748) | ¥529 | + 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.45 (¥578) | ¥195 | + 197% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.15 (¥279) | ¥192 | + 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (¥3,545) | ¥3,899 | - 9% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| United States | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (¥6,875) | ¥3,808 | + 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (¥3,598) | ¥3,606 | - 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $191 (¥24,811) | ¥9,510 | + 161% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (¥11,893) | ¥6,842 | + 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (¥1,751) | ¥1,086 | + 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.52 (¥716) | ¥566 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (¥842) | ¥564 | + 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $519 (¥67,303) | ¥106,060 | - 37% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (¥27) | ¥56 | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $56 (¥7,325) | ¥12,147 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (¥1,280) | ¥602 | + 113% | |
| TOTAL | + 19% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
129.753
JPY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 20,943 prices entered by 2,839 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 19% more expensive than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Andorra is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 12% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 45% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Japan
- Cost of living in Angola is 25% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 50% more expensive than in Japan