Cost of living in Yemen compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 49% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Yemen is 49% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | ¥1,035 | - | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,000 ﷼ (¥1,214) | ¥820 | + 48% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2,500 ﷼ (¥1,518) | ¥618 | + 146% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 750 ﷼ (¥455) | ¥237 | + 92% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥335 | + 81% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 750 ﷼ (¥455) | ¥439 | + 4% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,000 ﷼ (¥1,214) | ¥1,195 | + 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥822 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,000 ﷼ (¥1,214) | ¥509 | + 139% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | ¥312 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | ¥1,267 | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,500 ﷼ (¥911) | ¥276 | + 230% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | - | ¥293 | - | |
Housing | + 48% | |||
Housing in Yemen is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | ¥365,082 | - | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | ¥197,811 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 100,000 ﷼ (¥60,723) | ¥19,132 | + 217% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | ¥145,654 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥106,059 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 100,000 ﷼ (¥60,723) | ¥8,349 | + 627% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 17,000 ﷼ (¥10,323) | ¥4,448 | + 132% | |
40” flat screen tv | 60,000 ﷼ (¥36,434) | ¥74,559 | - 51% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 100,000 ﷼ (¥60,723) | ¥25,414 | + 139% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 10,000 ﷼ (¥6,072) | ¥1,338 | + 354% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 10,000 ﷼ (¥6,072) | ¥2,815 | + 116% | |
Clothes | + 56% | |||
Clothes in Yemen is 56% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 15,000 ﷼ (¥9,108) | ¥9,315 | - 2% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 20,000 ﷼ (¥12,145) | ¥5,103 | + 138% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 20,000 ﷼ (¥12,145) | ¥10,686 | + 14% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 20,000 ﷼ (¥12,145) | ¥12,189 | - 0% | |
Transportation | + 14% | |||
Transportation in Yemen is 14% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥3,060,780 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 370 ﷼ (¥225) | ¥169 | + 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 16,000 ﷼ (¥9,716) | ¥8,198 | + 19% | |
Personal Care | + 29% | |||
Personal Care in Yemen is 29% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 4,000 ﷼ (¥2,429) | ¥2,133 | + 14% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10,000 ﷼ (¥6,072) | ¥2,551 | + 138% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥1,337 | - 55% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,250 ﷼ (¥759) | ¥930 | - 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 2,000 ﷼ (¥1,214) | ¥622 | + 95% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥224 | + 171% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 ﷼ (¥911) | ¥188 | + 385% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 2,000 ﷼ (¥1,214) | ¥4,604 | - 74% | |
Entertainment | + 41% | |||
Entertainment in Yemen is 41% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Yemen | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | ¥4,908 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | ¥3,881 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥7,212 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | ¥8,269 | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥1,244 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥547 | + 11% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,000 ﷼ (¥607) | ¥674 | - 10% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | ¥51,659 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 200 ﷼ (¥121) | ¥52 | + 133% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 10,000 ﷼ (¥6,072) | ¥9,530 | - 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5,000 ﷼ (¥3,036) | ¥613 | + 395% | |
TOTAL | + 38% |

These prices were last updated on June 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.607
JPY
/
YER
*
Cost of living in Yemen is 38% more expensive than in Japan
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