Cost of Living Comparison United States vs Japan. (2024)

FAQs

What is the cost of living in Japan compared to the United States? ›

USA. The average cost of living in Japan for one person is $1,200 a month, while in the USA it's $2,213 a month. For a family to live in Japan, it costs $3,051 a month on average, compared to $5,003 in the United States.

Japan is cheaper than you think. Way cheaper. In fact, Japan is arguably the least expensive country in the developed world, rivaled only by Portugal and South Korea. And now that the yen is at a three-decade low against the US dollar, it feels particularly cheap for those coming from the USA.

The U.S. and Japan both offer visitors a wide range of activities from history and culture to natural beauty and great beaches. While the U.S. is larger, it is also much more expensive. Transportation in the U.S. leads to higher costs, as do a lack of hostels and budget hotel options in big cities.

It is one of the most expensive cities to call home, globally and nationally. On average, a single person spends ¥143,000 per month in Japan's capital, while a family of four might spend around ¥510,000 (excluding rent – 家賃, yachin). When compared to other major cities, Tokyo is: 50% higher than Shanghai.

Summary of cost of living in Japan: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,917.4$ (450,927.8¥) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 827.2$ (127,857.6¥) without rent. Cost of living in Japan is, on average, 33.3% lower than in United States.

The cost of eating in Japan per day can range from 3,500 to 6,000 yen for budget travelers, up to 6,000 to 12,000 yen for mid-range travelers, depending on the dining preferences and the specific region or city. Costs may vary widely based on individual dining habits and the chosen dining establishments.

The cost of groceries is about the same throughout Japan: A gallon of milk costs about USD$4.50-$5.50. A dozen eggs cost USD$1.62-$1.98. One pound of rice costs USD$1.35-$1.65.

Health care in Japan is, generally speaking, provided free for Japanese citizens, expatriates, and foreigners. Medical treatment in Japan is provided through universal health care. This system is available to all citizens, as well as non-Japanese citizens staying in Japan for more than a year.

Insight into the Average Salary in Japan. In 2021, the average annual salary in Japan was approximately 4,530,000 Yen or 41,000 USD. This figure provides only a partial view of the elements affecting an individual's income. The average monthly salary in Japan is 3,794 USD.

Restaurant prices in the United States are approximately 45% higher than in Japan. However, from a traditional culinary perspective, Japan is arguably healthier. Traditional Japanese diets emphasize fresh meals with rice, fish, and vegetables.

Why is Japan so cheap right now? ›

Depressed wages driven by inflexible labor market. If people's incomes aren't growing, they're not going to spend. And if they have no real hope that their incomes will grow in the future, they will spend even less. Thus the low persistent low inflation in Japan.

Is Japan a good place for North American expats? U.S. News and World Report ranked Japan the second-best country in the world to live in. North American expats can enjoy a high standard of living in Japan with its stable economy, government, and robust social services.

Limited Land Area. Japan's limited land area and very high population density cause higher real estate costs than most developed countries. Japan's total land area is 378,000 square km, 5.7% higher than Germany's 357,600 square km.

The cost of food in Japan can vary depending on the type of food, location, and restaurant. In general, dining out and grocery shopping can be more expensive in Japan compared to other countries, due to the high cost of imported ingredients and limited land availability for domestic agriculture.

The salary for an English teacher in Japan is often between 200,000 to 600,000 Yen per month ($1,700 to $5,000). Of course, Japan is an expensive country; its economy is robust and powerful. However, these salaries are more than enough to live a great lifestyle, especially if you're living in rural Japan.

Average Rent in Japan

Prices in the capital range from a single room in shared housing for about 20,000 JPY (190 USD) per month to over 150,000 JPY (1,400 USD) for a private apartment. The average amount for a two-bedroom unit is a little over 200,000 JPY (1,870 USD) monthly.

If regional and industrial minimum wages differ, the higher of the two applies. The current minimum wage (national weighted average) increased to 961 yen (¥) (6.49 U.S. dollars ($)) for the 2023 fiscal year starting on 1 April 2023.