Cost of living in Japan compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Japan is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,027 ($7) | $20 | - 64% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥790 ($5.53) | $11 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥518 ($3.63) | $5.39 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥219 ($1.53) | $1.05 | + 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥311 ($2.18) | $4.32 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥564 ($3.95) | $4.45 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,287 ($9) | $7 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥611 ($4.28) | $3.98 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥399 ($2.79) | $2.05 | + 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥307 ($2.15) | $3.24 | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,249 ($9) | $17 | - 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥203 ($1.42) | $2.85 | - 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥177 ($1.24) | $2.65 | - 53% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Japan is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥359,114 ($2,513) | $2,911 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥174,960 ($1,224) | $2,209 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥20,112 ($141) | $220 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥167,408 ($1,171) | $2,023 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥105,023 ($735) | $1,537 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥13,280 ($93) | $149 | - 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,420 ($31) | $62 | - 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥61,842 ($433) | $275 | + 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥10,283 ($72) | $145 | - 50% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,221 ($9) | $14 | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,831 ($20) | $32 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 26% | |||
| Clothes in Japan is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥8,396 ($59) | $57 | + 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,233 ($37) | $54 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,250 ($65) | $99 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥12,490 ($87) | $137 | - 36% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in Japan is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥3,004,620 ($21,024) | $29,034 | - 28% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥167 ($1.17) | $0.97 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥8,534 ($60) | $78 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in Japan is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,575 ($11) | $9 | + 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,993 ($21) | $25 | - 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥6,000 ($42) | $159 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥1,337 ($9) | $9 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥948 ($7) | $4.81 | + 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥622 ($4.35) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥223 ($1.56) | $4.87 | - 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥204 ($1.43) | $2.39 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥4,086 ($29) | $29 | + 0% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Japan is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Japan | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥5,118 ($36) | $59 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,855 ($27) | $29 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥12,839 ($90) | $214 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥7,916 ($55) | $99 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,898 ($13) | $14 | - 7% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥526 ($3.68) | $5.73 | - 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥631 ($4.42) | $7 | - 37% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥35,175 ($246) | $513 | - 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 ($0.36) | $0.66 | - 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,541 ($67) | $65 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥578 ($4.05) | $10 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 10, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00700
USD
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,125 prices entered by 2,322 different people.
Cost of living in Japan is 33% cheaper than in United States
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