Cost of living in Japan compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 16% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,003 (£5.51) | £13 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥723 (£3.98) | £7 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥517 (£2.84) | £3.44 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥204 (£1.12) | £1.11 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥325 (£1.79) | £3.47 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥616 (£3.39) | £1.92 | + 76% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥948 (£5.21) | £4.23 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥851 (£4.68) | £2.00 | + 134% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥545 (£3.00) | £0.94 | + 219% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥288 (£1.59) | £1.72 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,250 (£7) | £8 | - 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥231 (£1.27) | £2.25 | - 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥210 (£1.15) | £1.11 | + 4% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 24% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥298,509 (£1,641) | £2,042 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥163,427 (£898) | £1,348 | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥23,363 (£128) | £218 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥150,519 (£827) | £1,159 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥81,210 (£446) | £817 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥36,753 (£202) | £133 | + 52% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,386 (£24) | £26 | - 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥49,710 (£273) | £306 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥17,687 (£97) | £93 | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,118 (£6) | £6 | - 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥1,483 (£8) | £15 | - 45% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 20% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,145 (£34) | £63 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,263 (£29) | £32 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,604 (£53) | £68 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,529 (£74) | £70 | + 6% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 38% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,697,750 (£14,828) | £25,545 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥169 (£0.93) | £1.52 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥10,153 (£56) | £91 | - 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,154 (£12) | £4.12 | + 187% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,551 (£14) | £11 | + 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥5,499 (£30) | £112 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,340 (£7) | £3.78 | + 95% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥842 (£4.63) | £1.71 | + 171% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥750 (£4.12) | £3.49 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥225 (£1.24) | £2.13 | - 42% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥233 (£1.28) | £1.81 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,812 (£21) | £14 | + 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 8% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,064 (£22) | £37 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,590 (£20) | £19 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥4,524 (£25) | £153 | - 84% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,047 (£33) | £58 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥896 (£4.93) | £10 | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥487 (£2.68) | £3.28 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥585 (£3.22) | £4.90 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥98,506 (£541) | £412 | + 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (£0.29) | £0.10 | + 178% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,275 (£51) | £34 | + 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥587 (£3.22) | £13 | - 74% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00550
GBP
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,108 prices entered by 799 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 25% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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