Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥981 ($9) | $15 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥700 ($6) | $8 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥414 ($3.79) | $4.27 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥205 ($1.88) | $0.88 | + 114% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥251 ($2.30) | $2.88 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥655 ($6) | $4.18 | + 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥964 ($9) | $6 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥741 ($7) | $3.44 | + 97% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥391 ($3.58) | $1.76 | + 104% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥300 ($2.75) | $3.11 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,420 ($13) | $14 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥178 ($1.63) | $1.99 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥217 ($1.99) | $2.18 | - 9% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in Japan is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥299,320 ($2,743) | $2,189 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥164,446 ($1,507) | $1,581 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥21,056 ($193) | $179 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥150,152 ($1,376) | $1,543 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥78,123 ($716) | $1,142 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥11,902 ($109) | $113 | - 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,118 ($38) | $52 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥70,060 ($642) | $272 | + 136% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥12,705 ($116) | $127 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥794 ($7) | $11 | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,406 ($22) | $22 | + 0% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥7,319 ($67) | $47 | + 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥4,417 ($40) | $42 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥8,375 ($77) | $86 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,139 ($120) | $107 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 25% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,627,120 ($24,071) | $23,518 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥135 ($1.24) | $0.66 | + 87% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥10,272 ($94) | $74 | + 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 18% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,148 ($11) | $7 | + 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥1,229 ($11) | $16 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥5,176 ($47) | $111 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥803 ($7) | $7 | + 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥611 ($5.59) | $3.45 | + 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥528 ($4.84) | $4.86 | - 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥152 ($1.39) | $3.66 | - 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥258 ($2.36) | $1.81 | + 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,156 ($29) | $22 | + 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 11% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥3,672 ($34) | $47 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,638 ($33) | $25 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥16,372 ($150) | $197 | - 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,066 ($56) | $78 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,131 ($10) | $12 | - 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥435 ($3.98) | $4.94 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥548 ($5.02) | $5.65 | - 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥55,862 ($512) | $427 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥53 ($0.49) | $0.25 | + 97% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,625 ($88) | $49 | + 79% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥530 ($4.86) | $8 | - 42% | |
| TOTAL | + 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 08, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00916
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 32,935 prices entered by 4,313 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 4% more expensive than in United States
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