- Cost of Living
- United States
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 3% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (¥1,598) | ¥1,039 | + 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $8 (¥866) | ¥691 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.58 (¥522) | ¥441 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.89 (¥102) | ¥203 | - 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.17 (¥362) | ¥288 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.03 (¥460) | ¥754 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (¥717) | ¥924 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.34 (¥382) | ¥683 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.59 (¥181) | ¥401 | - 55% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.34 (¥382) | ¥280 | + 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (¥1,681) | ¥1,538 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.93 (¥220) | ¥199 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.13 (¥243) | ¥198 | + 23% | |
| Housing | + 29% | |||
| Housing in United States is 29% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,035 (¥232,227) | ¥218,000 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,568 (¥178,946) | ¥123,235 | + 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (¥20,246) | ¥21,518 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,564 (¥178,506) | ¥110,576 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,120 (¥127,807) | ¥71,567 | + 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $122 (¥13,966) | ¥12,926 | + 8% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (¥5,462) | ¥4,101 | + 33% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $334 (¥38,154) | ¥55,558 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $118 (¥13,482) | ¥16,537 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (¥1,245) | ¥711 | + 75% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (¥2,561) | ¥1,838 | + 39% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (¥5,390) | ¥7,354 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (¥5,110) | ¥4,336 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $85 (¥9,726) | ¥8,421 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $114 (¥13,060) | ¥14,523 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,256 (¥2,539,943) | ¥2,510,530 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.77 (¥87) | ¥145 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (¥9,699) | ¥11,257 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 51% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (¥808) | ¥1,278 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (¥2,149) | ¥1,019 | + 111% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $111 (¥12,679) | ¥3,622 | + 250% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (¥780) | ¥612 | + 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.51 (¥401) | ¥707 | - 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.09 (¥581) | ¥455 | + 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.44 (¥393) | ¥137 | + 186% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.86 (¥213) | ¥229 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $20 (¥2,338) | ¥2,862 | - 18% | |
| Entertainment | - 7% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 (¥5,068) | ¥3,989 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (¥2,835) | ¥3,357 | - 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $173 (¥19,688) | ¥14,181 | + 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (¥9,004) | ¥7,538 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (¥1,315) | ¥964 | + 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.86 (¥555) | ¥487 | + 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.86 (¥669) | ¥586 | + 14% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $429 (¥48,954) | ¥49,094 | - 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.32 (¥37) | ¥56 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (¥6,109) | ¥10,897 | - 44% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (¥912) | ¥468 | + 95% | |
| TOTAL | + 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 14, 2018.
Exchange rate:
114.125
JPY
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 94,817 prices entered by 13,994 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 6% more expensive than in Japan
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