Japan vs Australia — cost of living
Sydney/Melbourne rents are roughly 1.5-2× Tokyo's; food and dining out are notably more expensive in Australia.
Tokyo monthly mid-range cost in AUD
JP¥221,000
≈ AU$1,949(1 JPY = 0.00882 AUD, asOf 2026-05-15)
Overview
Australian visitors and migrants typically find Japan very affordable. Sydney CBD rent for a studio is A$2,200-2,800/month, roughly twice Tokyo's. Australian dining out culture is built around higher labor costs — a brunch that's A$25 in Melbourne is ¥1,200 in Tokyo. Conversely, durable consumer electronics and tech services can be cheaper in Australia due to global retail competition.
Side-by-side examples
| Japan | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1K central) | A$1,000-1,500 | A$2,200-2,800 (Sydney) |
| Coffee (cafe) | A$3-4.5 | A$5-6 (Melbourne) |
| Public healthcare | 30% co-pay (NHI) | Medicare (citizens), private $100+/wk |