Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥998 ($7) | $20 | - 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥723 ($4.84) | $10 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥544 ($3.64) | $5.75 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥204 ($1.37) | $1.09 | + 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥323 ($2.16) | $4.93 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥616 ($4.12) | $4.65 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥934 ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥850 ($5.69) | $4.51 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥535 ($3.58) | $2.36 | + 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥288 ($1.93) | $3.26 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,240 ($8) | $16 | - 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥240 ($1.61) | $2.91 | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥202 ($1.35) | $2.83 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥279,056 ($1,868) | $2,962 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥163,427 ($1,094) | $2,269 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥23,363 ($156) | $224 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥150,519 ($1,008) | $1,996 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥81,210 ($544) | $1,511 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥36,753 ($246) | $150 | + 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,386 ($29) | $64 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥49,710 ($333) | $294 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥17,687 ($118) | $141 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,118 ($7) | $14 | - 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥1,483 ($10) | $32 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 27% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,145 ($41) | $56 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,263 ($35) | $48 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,604 ($64) | $95 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,529 ($91) | $126 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,697,750 ($18,060) | $27,752 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥170 ($1.14) | $1.03 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,950 ($67) | $83 | - 20% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥2,154 ($14) | $9 | + 65% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,551 ($17) | $24 | - 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥5,499 ($37) | $151 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,340 ($9) | $9 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥842 ($5.64) | $4.89 | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥750 ($5.02) | $7 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥225 ($1.51) | $4.89 | - 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥233 ($1.56) | $2.20 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,812 ($26) | $29 | - 11% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,064 ($27) | $57 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,590 ($24) | $29 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥4,524 ($30) | $234 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,047 ($40) | $92 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥896 ($6.00) | $14 | - 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥487 ($3.26) | $5.40 | - 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥585 ($3.92) | $7 | - 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥98,506 ($659) | $558 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 ($0.35) | $0.20 | + 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,275 ($62) | $61 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥587 ($3.93) | $10 | - 62% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00669
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,593 prices entered by 2,862 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 34% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 31% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 57% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 24% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 26% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 46% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 7% cheaper than in United States