Cost of Living in Tokyo
Summary of cost of living in Tokyo, Japan:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,474.5$ (535,170.8¥), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 951.3$ (146,528.0¥), excluding rent.
- Tokyo is 39.2% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Tokyo is, on average, 58.0% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 7.79 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 44.15 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 4.87 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 3.90 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 5.19 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 3.31 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 1.14 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 0.80 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.46 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 1.24 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 2.50 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 2.31 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.12 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 3.39 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 9.13 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.34 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.14 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.41 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.57 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.39 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.41 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 1.33 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 0.84 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 9.74 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1.99 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.73 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 3.90 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 1.40 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 71.41 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 3.25 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 5.22 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 24.60 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.15 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 21,697.17 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 16,522.83 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 155.44 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 24.20 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 31.41 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 66.38 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 19.92 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 12.66 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 532.09 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 14,930.31 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 54.72 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 38.55 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 61.10 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 91.51 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,018.69 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 632.01 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,171.66 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,293.65 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,003.16 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 477.91 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 2,538.00 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 1.67 |
Prices in Tokyo
This city had 1615 entries in the past 12 months by 243 different contributors.
Last update: 9 November 2025
Last update: 9 November 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Tokyo? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Matsudo | 17.80 miles |
| Cost of Living in Yokohama | 21.92 miles |
| Cost of Living in Saitama | 22.56 miles |
| Cost of Living in Chiba | 29.30 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kamakura | 32.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Yokosuka | 37.13 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hiratsuka | 37.86 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ome | 40.70 miles |
| Cost of Living in Sammu | 56.81 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ashikaga | 72.03 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Tokio
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Tóquio
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita a Tokyo
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie à Tokyo
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Tokio
|
Health insurance and city taxes get REALLY expensive if you work part-time - and if you work full-time you barely have time to breathe.
Grocery prices are shocking. They seem to go up every single week now. I stopped keeping track but last I calculated, my grocery bill was up by more than 50% in the past 6 months or so, AND that's on top of sizes and portions being increasingly reduced, so in reality we're looking at upwards of a 100% increase on average.
The salaries, however, have actually been going DOWN in some industries.
Unless you're coming here with an expat package, I recommend you do not come here. I'm on my way out.
No violent crimes or things stolen, no explicit assaults. I've been living in Japan for as same as my age, I've never encountered nor witnessed such crimes firsthand.
About price, it's rising because of stagflation but still cheaper than many Europe or American cities. Rent is skyrocketing in especially big cities like Tokyo or Osaka, but I dunno so much about it because I live in cheap suburb.
There seems to be many people who are saying "Japan is the best", but I don't think so.
The matters are politicians and its governance. They are so old and only listen to the old's voice to gather their votes. That makes young generation apathy about politics and lower turnout, eventually results in corruption like LDP's major kickback in 2024. I lost my faith in this country's government. Also, its currency is so weak and wage is relatively low despite the longest work hours.
But it's still a good country to visit(not to live permanently. It likely causes disillusion)
The original apt rate for the dollar is said to be 92 yen = $1.00 (the Big Mac Index is not reliable in Japan due to the high competition in restaurants).
A Norwegian acquaintance of mine says that the standard of living is higher in Japan compared to Norway.
You say that like its a bad thing. People who keep to themselves, are clean and dont bother you seems like a huge plus.