- Cost of Living
- Japan
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 2% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,054 ($9) | $14 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ¥698 ($6) | $8 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥436 ($3.85) | $4.53 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥205 ($1.81) | $0.89 | + 103% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥285 ($2.52) | $3.17 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥777 ($7) | $4.01 | + 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥910 ($8) | $6 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥697 ($6) | $3.33 | + 85% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥414 ($3.65) | $1.60 | + 129% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥265 ($2.34) | $3.44 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,538 ($14) | $15 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ¥203 ($1.79) | $1.91 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥198 ($1.75) | $2.13 | - 18% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ¥231,808 ($2,044) | $2,041 | + 0% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ¥125,591 ($1,107) | $1,581 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥21,159 ($187) | $177 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ¥113,754 ($1,003) | $1,586 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ¥74,885 ($660) | $1,128 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ¥12,611 ($111) | $121 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ¥4,134 ($36) | $48 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ¥55,558 ($490) | $334 | + 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥16,830 ($148) | $119 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥693 ($6) | $11 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥1,827 ($16) | $22 | - 28% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,829 ($60) | $47 | + 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ¥4,215 ($37) | $45 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥8,321 ($73) | $85 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,972 ($123) | $115 | + 7% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,590,890 ($22,843) | $22,356 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥145 ($1.28) | $0.77 | + 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥11,257 ($99) | $85 | + 17% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,278 ($11) | $7 | + 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥1,016 ($9) | $18 | - 52% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ¥3,622 ($32) | $111 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ¥630 ($5.55) | $7 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥707 ($6) | $3.51 | + 78% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥455 ($4.01) | $5.11 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥137 ($1.21) | $3.47 | - 65% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥217 ($1.91) | $1.85 | + 3% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥2,939 ($26) | $21 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,035 ($36) | $45 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,358 ($30) | $25 | + 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥12,964 ($114) | $173 | - 34% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥8,046 ($71) | $79 | - 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥880 ($8) | $12 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥491 ($4.33) | $4.87 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥560 ($4.93) | $5.87 | - 16% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ¥49,094 ($433) | $424 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥56 ($0.49) | $0.34 | + 47% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥10,296 ($91) | $54 | + 69% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ¥468 ($4.13) | $8 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 14, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00882
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 94,109 prices entered by 13,604 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 4% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 6% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 54% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 20% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 40% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 36% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 51% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 62% cheaper than in United States