Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,001 ($9) | $15 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥722 ($7) | $8 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥446 ($4.14) | $4.33 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥214 ($1.99) | $0.88 | + 128% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥289 ($2.69) | $2.97 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥501 ($4.65) | $4.02 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,246 ($12) | $6 | + 85% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥640 ($5.95) | $3.35 | + 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥381 ($3.54) | $1.76 | + 101% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥260 ($2.41) | $3.17 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,652 ($15) | $14 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥221 ($2.06) | $1.94 | + 6% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥277 ($2.57) | $2.03 | + 27% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥182,340 ($1,695) | $2,264 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥121,270 ($1,127) | $1,625 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥15,948 ($148) | $177 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥127,445 ($1,185) | $1,626 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥86,552 ($804) | $1,156 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥11,000 ($102) | $109 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥3,835 ($36) | $47 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥39,892 ($371) | $298 | + 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥10,465 ($97) | $118 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥749 ($7) | $11 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,162 ($20) | $22 | - 8% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,528 ($61) | $49 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥4,644 ($43) | $45 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥7,685 ($71) | $86 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,013 ($121) | $111 | + 8% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 15% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,936,380 ($27,292) | $22,989 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥142 ($1.32) | $0.75 | + 76% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,348 ($87) | $81 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | - 8% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,406 ($13) | $7 | + 80% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥929 ($9) | $20 | - 56% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥8,740 ($81) | $109 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥554 ($5.15) | $7 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥669 ($6) | $3.54 | + 75% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥525 ($4.88) | $5.09 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥206 ($1.91) | $3.56 | - 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥238 ($2.22) | $1.83 | + 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥2,654 ($25) | $21 | + 15% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥3,275 ($30) | $45 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,323 ($31) | $25 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥16,766 ($156) | $222 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥5,924 ($55) | $74 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥806 ($7) | $12 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥520 ($4.84) | $4.82 | + 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥510 ($4.74) | $5.79 | - 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥47,822 ($444) | $395 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥26 ($0.24) | $0.19 | + 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥8,220 ($76) | $52 | + 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥491 ($4.56) | $8 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00929
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 44,293 prices entered by 5,701 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 6% cheaper than in United States
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