Cost of living in United States compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (¥1,550) | ¥968 | + 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (¥842) | ¥699 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.20 (¥436) | ¥444 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (¥92) | ¥200 | - 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.94 (¥305) | ¥256 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.10 (¥425) | ¥622 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (¥654) | ¥903 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.29 (¥341) | ¥771 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 (¥173) | ¥384 | - 55% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.16 (¥328) | ¥306 | + 7% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (¥1,459) | ¥1,331 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.97 (¥204) | ¥199 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.01 (¥208) | ¥226 | - 8% | |
| Housing | + 0% | |||
| Housing in United States is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,196 (¥227,639) | ¥268,095 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,531 (¥158,696) | ¥150,794 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (¥18,397) | ¥23,880 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,529 (¥158,511) | ¥140,127 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,115 (¥115,612) | ¥77,433 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $108 (¥11,207) | ¥12,855 | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 (¥5,032) | ¥4,197 | + 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (¥28,141) | ¥63,991 | - 56% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $127 (¥13,153) | ¥10,809 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (¥1,100) | ¥901 | + 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $21 (¥2,208) | ¥2,418 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (¥4,899) | ¥6,864 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (¥4,439) | ¥4,416 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (¥8,964) | ¥8,088 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $108 (¥11,194) | ¥12,131 | - 8% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,455 (¥2,431,874) | ¥2,676,280 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.65 (¥67) | ¥136 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (¥7,801) | ¥10,472 | - 26% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (¥749) | ¥1,225 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (¥1,629) | ¥1,626 | + 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $111 (¥11,494) | ¥6,148 | + 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (¥693) | ¥812 | - 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.37 (¥350) | ¥655 | - 47% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.86 (¥504) | ¥501 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 (¥375) | ¥170 | + 121% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (¥188) | ¥229 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (¥2,206) | ¥2,983 | - 26% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (¥4,666) | ¥3,633 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (¥2,598) | ¥3,659 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $212 (¥21,967) | ¥12,969 | + 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (¥8,072) | ¥6,422 | + 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (¥1,251) | ¥1,122 | + 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.95 (¥513) | ¥445 | + 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.75 (¥596) | ¥556 | + 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $408 (¥42,314) | ¥50,234 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.45 (¥46) | ¥40 | + 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (¥5,117) | ¥9,469 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (¥859) | ¥525 | + 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2021.
Exchange rate:
103.683
JPY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,413 prices entered by 4,550 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 6% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Armenia is 70% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 50% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 10% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Andorra is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Japan