Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,145 ($9) | $17 | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥719 ($5.56) | $9 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥437 ($3.38) | $5.08 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥211 ($1.63) | $0.99 | + 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥282 ($2.18) | $3.31 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥815 ($6) | $4.41 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥951 ($7) | $7 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥984 ($8) | $3.92 | + 94% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥421 ($3.26) | $1.95 | + 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥268 ($2.07) | $3.35 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,770 ($14) | $16 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥217 ($1.68) | $2.25 | - 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥225 ($1.74) | $2.49 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 39% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥194,768 ($1,507) | $2,528 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥126,641 ($980) | $1,959 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥21,178 ($164) | $202 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥142,258 ($1,101) | $1,772 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥80,836 ($625) | $1,345 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥13,643 ($106) | $138 | - 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥3,988 ($31) | $57 | - 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥59,521 ($460) | $302 | + 53% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥17,809 ($138) | $136 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥665 ($5.15) | $12 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,700 ($21) | $26 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | - 19% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥7,941 ($61) | $51 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥4,162 ($32) | $47 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥7,471 ($58) | $92 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥15,388 ($119) | $119 | + 0% | |
| Transportation | + 43% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 43% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,576,380 ($19,931) | $25,234 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥161 ($1.24) | $1.05 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥16,725 ($129) | $76 | + 69% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,370 ($11) | $7 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥1,955 ($15) | $19 | - 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥3,523 ($27) | $125 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥2,205 ($17) | $7 | + 131% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥648 ($5.01) | $4.16 | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥409 ($3.16) | $5.52 | - 43% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥143 ($1.11) | $4.19 | - 74% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥184 ($1.42) | $2.05 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,583 ($28) | $25 | + 10% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 4% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,280 ($33) | $49 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,593 ($28) | $26 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥20,657 ($160) | $192 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,242 ($48) | $83 | - 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,034 ($8) | $13 | - 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥533 ($4.12) | $5.17 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥526 ($4.07) | $6 | - 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥58,872 ($455) | $495 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥41 ($0.32) | $0.17 | + 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥11,178 ($86) | $54 | + 62% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥554 ($4.29) | $9 | - 53% | |
| TOTAL | - 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00774
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,676 prices entered by 2,684 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 13% cheaper than in United States
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