How much does it cost to live in Japan?
Estimate your monthly cost of living in Japanese cities using official government CPI data from 総務省統計局 消費者物価指数.
CPI as of 2026-09, FX as of 2026-10-30.
How to use this calculator
Choose a city, display currency, and stay length, then select a lifestyle to update the estimate. Tokyo, one month, and mid-range is a useful starting point.
City price levels are adjusted with the official Regional Difference Index of Consumer Prices, and later price changes are reflected with the CPI (Consumer Price Index).
This is an indicative model for one person. The duration total prorates the monthly estimate using a 30-day month. Actual costs vary; check rent, taxes, insurance, setup costs, and travel separately when planning a move or trip.
What to explore next
Review city cost details or check prices for everyday items.
Detailed breakdown
| Category | JPY / month | USD / month | Share | CPI (Tokyo (23 wards)) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▸ | Food | ¥50,000 | $318 | 22.6% | 129.6 |
| ▸ | Housing | ¥95,000 | $604 | 43% | 105.9 |
| ▸ | Utilities (fuel & water) | ¥12,000 | $76.31 | 5.4% | 110.4 |
| ▸ | Furniture & household | ¥5,000 | $31.80 | 2.3% | 129.4 |
| Clothing & footwear | ¥8,000 | $50.87 | 3.6% | 116.7 | |
| Medical care | ¥6,000 | $38.16 | 2.7% | 107.0 | |
| ▸ | Transport & communication | ¥15,000 | $95.39 | 6.8% | 101.2 |
| ▸ | Education | ¥0 | $0.00 | 0% | 97.2 |
| ▸ | Culture & recreation | ¥18,000 | $114 | 8.1% | 122.6 |
| ▸ | Miscellaneous | ¥12,000 | $76.31 | 5.4% | 100.5 |
Monthly cost of living in Japan by city (one person, mid-range)
One person living a mid-range lifestyle in Tokyo (23 wards) spends about ¥221,000 (about $1,405) a month. Comparing the actual prices of 24 everyday items in the government's retail price survey, the cheapest of 52 prefectural capitals and major cities is Maebashi (-6.2% vs the national average) and the most expensive is Tottori (+9.2%).
| City | Per month (JPY) | ≈ USD | vs Tokyo | Everyday item prices vs national average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (23 wards) | ¥221,000 | $1,405 | — | +0.9% |
| Osaka | ¥193,262 | $1,229 | -12.6% | +2.0% |
| Nagoya | ¥189,903 | $1,208 | -14.1% | -0.3% |
| Kyoto | ¥198,017 | $1,259 | -10.4% | +3.1% |
| Fukuoka | ¥193,239 | $1,229 | -12.6% | -1.0% |
| Sapporo | ¥195,435 | $1,243 | -11.6% | +7.3% |
| Sendai | ¥194,217 | $1,235 | -12.1% | +1.7% |
| Naha | ¥196,374 | $1,249 | -11.1% | +6.9% |
Monthly figures are estimates for one person at the mid-range level. The Tokyo baseline is adjusted for each city with the official Regional Difference Index of Consumer Prices, then updated with each city's CPI since that year. The last column compares the actual prices of everyday items in the retail price survey. Change the city, currency and lifestyle in the calculator above.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Japan per month?
One person living a mid-range lifestyle in Tokyo (23 wards) spends about ¥221,000 (about $1,405) a month. Comparing the actual prices of 24 everyday items in the government's retail price survey, the cheapest of 52 prefectural capitals and major cities is Maebashi (-6.2% vs the national average) and the most expensive is Tottori (+9.2%).
Which city in Japan has the lowest prices?
Comparing the actual prices of 24 everyday items in the government's retail price survey with the national average, the cheapest of the 52 prefectural capitals and major cities on this site are Maebashi (-6.2%), Tsu (-5.8%), Nagano (-4.6%).
What does this estimate include?
Housing, food, utilities, household goods, clothing, health, transport and communication, education, recreation and other spending for one person. The Tokyo baseline is a provisional figure based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey; other cities are adjusted with the official Regional Difference Index of Consumer Prices by expense category. It is a reference estimate, not an official statistic.
Explore by city
Pick a major city for a deeper view of housing, food, transport, and trends.
Choose a city and estimate costs →From ramen to rent — full price index per item.
Side-by-side cost vs USA, UK, Australia, Korea, China.
Browse prices of everyday items in Japan
582 CPI sub-items, base = 2020 = 100, source = e-Stat 0003427113
| Item▲ | Category | Price (JPY) | Latest CPI | YoY % | 5y change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▸Aburaage (fried tofu) 油揚げ · 1472 | Food | — | 135.0 | +6.9% | +31.5% |
| ▸Accident insurance 傷害保険料 · 9928 | Miscellaneous | — | 104.9 | +0.7% | +2.0% |
| ▸Accommodation fee 宿泊料 · 9300 | Culture & recreation | — | 172.1 | +5.6% | +50.0% |
| ▸Aesthetic salon fee エステティック料金 · 9505 | Miscellaneous | — | 116.9 | +0.6% | +16.6% |
| ▸After-school care fee 学童保育料 · 9951 | Miscellaneous | — | 103.8 | +0.9% | +2.0% |
| ▸Air fare 航空運賃 · 7070 | Transport & communication | — | 116.9 | +5.8% | +17.5% |
| ▸Air freshener / deodorizer 芳香・消臭剤 · 4471 | Furniture & household | — | 112.5 | +10.8% | +13.1% |
| ▸Air purifier 空気清浄機 · 4075 | Furniture & household | — | 140.0 | +5.4% | +52.5% |
| ▸Anpan (sweet bean bun) あんパン · 1022 | Food | — | 128.9 | +5.6% | +27.9% |
| ▸Antipyretic / analgesic 解熱鎮痛剤 · 6002 | Medical care | — | 118.3 | +1.3% | +13.9% |
| ▸Apple りんご · 1502 | Food | — | 149.8 | +0.1% | +45.0% |
| ▸Asari clam あさり · 1131 | Food | — | 136.2 | +2.1% | +24.6% |
| ▸Asparagus アスパラガス · 1410 | Food | — | 118.9 | +3.3% | +15.7% |
| ▸Athletic shoes 競技用靴 · 9140 | Culture & recreation | — | 133.6 | +7.2% | +25.7% |
| ▸Avocado アボカド · 1583 | Food | — | 123.7 | -3.0% | +29.8% |
| ▸Bacon ベーコン · 1271 | Food | — | 127.4 | +2.1% | +29.3% |
| ▸Bag (premium) バッグＡ · 9721 | Miscellaneous | — | 112.3 | +1.7% | +12.9% |
| ▸Bag (standard) バッグＢ · 9722 | Miscellaneous | — | 151.9 | +3.0% | +47.0% |
| ▸Ballpoint pen ボールペン · 9111 | Culture & recreation | — | 115.9 | +9.8% | +16.0% |
| ▸Banana バナナ · 1581 | Food | — | 133.5 | +5.2% | +37.1% |
| ▸Bank transfer fee 振込手数料 · 9920 | Miscellaneous | — | 55.3 | 0.0% | -44.7% |
| ▸Barber fee 理髪料 · 9511 | Miscellaneous | — | 105.9 | +1.1% | +5.9% |
| ▸Baseball glove グローブ · 9141 | Culture & recreation | — | 110.5 | -2.6% | +5.5% |
| ▸Bath additive 入浴剤 · 6095 | Medical care | — | 115.3 | +15.1% | +15.0% |
| ▸Battery 電池 · 9195 | Culture & recreation | — | 124.3 | +5.1% | +22.7% |
| ▸Bean sprouts もやし · 1407 | Food | — | 116.7 | +2.8% | +17.1% |
| ▸Beauty serum 美容液 · 9693 | Miscellaneous | — | 100.0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| ▸Bed ベッド · 4201 | Furniture & household | — | 120.8 | -0.8% | +16.3% |
| ▸Bed pad 敷きパッド · 4272 | Furniture & household | — | 88.9 | -1.3% | -7.1% |
| ▸Bed sheet 敷布 · 4251 | Furniture & household | — | 115.7 | +0.1% | +15.6% |
| ▸Beef (domestic) 牛肉（国産品） · 1201 | Food | — | 121.0 | +6.0% | +20.2% |
| ▸Beef (imported) 牛肉（輸入品） · 1203 | Food | — | 159.3 | +13.1% | +52.0% |
| ▸Beer ビール · 2021 | Food | — | 100.6 | -1.1% | +5.3% |
| ▸Beer (dining out) ビール（外食） · 2171 | Food | — | 116.5 | +1.7% | +16.4% |
| ▸Beer-style alcohol drink ビール風アルコール飲料 · 2027 | Food | — | 128.8 | -4.0% | +20.5% |
| ▸Bell pepper ピーマン · 1437 | Food | — | 105.5 | -3.1% | +17.0% |
| ▸Belt ベルト · 5571 | Clothing & footwear | — | 102.0 | +0.5% | +2.3% |
| ▸Bento box (premium) 弁当Ａ · 1791 | Food | — | 121.8 | +1.6% | +18.8% |
| ▸Bento box (standard) 弁当Ｂ · 1797 | Food | — | 144.7 | +15.0% | +46.6% |
| ▸Bicycle (premium) 自転車Ａ · 7201 | Transport & communication | — | 121.7 | -0.8% | +23.3% |
| ▸Bicycle (standard) 自転車Ｂ · 7202 | Transport & communication | — | 120.2 | -0.7% | +20.8% |
| ▸Bidet toilet seat 温水洗浄便座 · 3103 | Housing | — | 97.0 | -1.6% | -0.9% |
| ▸Biscuits ビスケット · 1721 | Food | — | 123.3 | +1.2% | +24.4% |
| ▸Black tea (leaves) 紅茶 · 1911 | Food | — | 127.0 | +2.3% | +21.2% |
| ▸Bleach 漂白剤 · 4472 | Furniture & household | — | 160.9 | +21.0% | +59.6% |
| ▸Blood pressure monitor 血圧計 · 6171 | Medical care | — | 115.9 | -1.9% | +12.3% |
| ▸Blouse (long sleeve) ブラウス（長袖） · 5231 | Clothing & footwear | — | 114.0 | +2.4% | +12.0% |
| ▸Blouse (short sleeve) ブラウス（半袖） · 5232 | Clothing & footwear | — | 108.0 | -1.7% | +7.5% |
| ▸Blu-ray / video recorder ビデオレコーダー · 9034 | Culture & recreation | — | 162.1 | +37.7% | +63.1% |
| ▸Body soap ボディーソープ · 9626 | Miscellaneous | — | 103.9 | +5.2% | +5.6% |
All figures on this site are aggregated by us from public APIs and provided as reference estimates only — not official statistics. Do not use them as the basis for any decision.
Lifestyle baselines are tentative estimates for Tokyo based on the Statistics Bureau's Family Income and Expenditure Survey. Other cities are adjusted with the official Regional Difference Index of Consumer Prices (price levels by expense category) and then moved forward month by month with each city's CPI. They are not official figures.