Cost of living in Japan compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 34% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,031 (£5.30) | £15 | - 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥803 (£4.13) | £8 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥518 (£2.66) | £3.95 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥223 (£1.15) | £1.15 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥320 (£1.64) | £3.75 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥564 (£2.90) | £2.46 | + 18% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,287 (£7) | £4.80 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥611 (£3.14) | £2.15 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥399 (£2.05) | £0.93 | + 121% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥307 (£1.58) | £2.11 | - 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,249 (£6) | £10 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥208 (£1.07) | £2.25 | - 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥176 (£0.90) | £1.03 | - 13% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 42% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥372,148 (£1,912) | £2,771 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥190,833 (£980) | £2,153 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥20,112 (£103) | £192 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥167,408 (£860) | £1,876 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥104,544 (£537) | £1,366 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥13,280 (£68) | £153 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,420 (£23) | £28 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥61,842 (£318) | £283 | + 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥10,283 (£53) | £86 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,221 (£6) | £7 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,831 (£15) | £15 | + 0% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 31% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥8,264 (£42) | £71 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,233 (£27) | £35 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,604 (£49) | £83 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥12,490 (£64) | £87 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 54% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,997,460 (£15,397) | £28,549 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥170 (£0.87) | £1.45 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,067 (£47) | £114 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 26% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,133 (£11) | £3.66 | + 200% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,993 (£15) | £8 | + 99% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥6,000 (£31) | £62 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,337 (£7) | £3.94 | + 74% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥948 (£4.87) | £1.92 | + 154% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥622 (£3.19) | £4.56 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥224 (£1.15) | £2.22 | - 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥204 (£1.05) | £1.91 | - 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥4,495 (£23) | £15 | + 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 17% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Japan | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥5,113 (£26) | £37 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,873 (£20) | £23 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥12,839 (£66) | £114 | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥8,204 (£42) | £68 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,237 (£6) | £11 | - 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥547 (£2.81) | £3.69 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥674 (£3.46) | £6 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥51,659 (£265) | £429 | - 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (£0.27) | £0.12 | + 124% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,530 (£49) | £40 | + 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥598 (£3.07) | £15 | - 80% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00514
GBP
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,439 prices entered by 632 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 40% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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