East Asia Updated
Average Cost of Living in Tokyo
The average cost of living in Tokyo, Japan is $1,103 per month for a single person, and $3,185 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,261 per month. The local average net salary is $2,550 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 25.1 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $1,103 / month
- Family of 4
- $3,185 / mo
- Student
- $668 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Tokyo
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$2,549.56 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Tokyo | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Tokyo | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Tokyo | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Tokyo | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Tokyo | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Tokyo | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Tokyo | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Tokyo | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Tokyo | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Tokyo | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Tokyo FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Tokyo. |
Rent & Property Prices in Tokyo
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,261 | $691 – $1,883 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $669 | $498 – $1,270 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $2,233 | $1,723 – $3,760 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,227 | $957 – $1,915 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $10,856 | $8,245 – $19,149 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $5,077 | $3,906 – $8,298 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,261$691 – $1,883
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $669$498 – $1,270
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,233$1,723 – $3,760
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,227$957 – $1,915
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $10,856$8,245 – $19,149
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $5,077$3,906 – $8,298
Grocery Prices in Tokyo
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.54 | $1.28 – $1.86 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.45 | $0.96 – $2.55 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $5.89 | $3.19 – $6.70 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.29 | $1.53 – $2.91 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $12 | $5.74 – $21 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $7.76 | $4.98 – $9.57 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $20 | $7.66 – $32 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4.93 | $1.28 – $7.02 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $2.67 | $1.41 – $5.11 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $4.51 | $2.37 – $9.57 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $5.82 | $2.92 – $9.57 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $3.37 | $0.75 – $5.11 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $3.20 | $1.60 – $5.74 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $1.27 | $0.96 – $1.60 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.87 | $0.51 – $1.60 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $9.57 | $6.26 – $13 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.81 | $1.28 – $3.19 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.04 | $1.60 – $3.83 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $3.96 | $3.19 – $4.15 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.54$1.28 – $1.86
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.45$0.96 – $2.55
- White Rice (1 kg) $5.89$3.19 – $6.70
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.29$1.53 – $2.91
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $12$5.74 – $21
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $7.76$4.98 – $9.57
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $20$7.66 – $32
- Apples (1 kg) $4.93$1.28 – $7.02
- Bananas (1 kg) $2.67$1.41 – $5.11
- Oranges (1 kg) $4.51$2.37 – $9.57
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $5.82$2.92 – $9.57
- Potatoes (1 kg) $3.37$0.75 – $5.11
- Onions (1 kg) $3.20$1.60 – $5.74
- Lettuce (1 Head) $1.27$0.96 – $1.60
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.87$0.51 – $1.60
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $9.57$6.26 – $13
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.81$1.28 – $3.19
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.04$1.60 – $3.83
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $3.96$3.19 – $4.15
Public Transport & Car Costs in Tokyo
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $1.37 | $1.15 – $1.91 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $72 | $41 – $128 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.19 | $3.19 – $3.83 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $3.19 | $1.68 – $5.74 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $19 | $19 – $19 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.11 | $1.07 – $1.27 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $21,919 | $21,919 – $21,919 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $15,362 | $14,548 – $15,958 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $1.37$1.15 – $1.91
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $72$41 – $128
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $3.19$3.19 – $3.83
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $3.19$1.68 – $5.74
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $19$19 – $19
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.11$1.07 – $1.27
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $21,919$21,919 – $21,919
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $15,362$14,548 – $15,958
Utility & Internet Costs in Tokyo
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $148 | $83 – $271 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $23 | $15 – $32 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $31 | $26 – $51 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $148$83 – $271
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $23$15 – $32
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $31$26 – $51
Childcare & Preschool in Tokyo
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $1,221 | $532 – $1,632 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $18,030 | $15,447 – $20,107 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $1,221$532 – $1,632
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $18,030$15,447 – $20,107
Clothing Prices in Tokyo
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $51 | $19 – $77 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $41 | $13 – $96 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $54 | $35 – $70 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $82 | $34 – $128 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $51$19 – $77
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $41$13 – $96
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $54$35 – $70
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $82$34 – $128
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Tokyo
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $65 | $19 – $115 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $27 | $13 – $46 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $13 | $11 – $19 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $65$19 – $115
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $27$13 – $46
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $13$11 – $19
Restaurant Prices in Tokyo
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $7.66 | $5.11 – $13 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $45 | $32 – $115 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $5.11 | $4.47 – $6.38 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.51 | $1.79 – $6.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $5.43 | $3.83 – $9.60 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.41 | $1.63 – $5.11 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.28 | $0.77 – $3.00 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.80 | $0.64 – $1.28 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $7.66$5.11 – $13
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $45$32 – $115
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $5.11$4.47 – $6.38
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $3.51$1.79 – $6.00
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $5.43$3.83 – $9.60
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.41$1.63 – $5.11
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.28$0.77 – $3.00
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.80$0.64 – $1.28
Salaries & Mortgages in Tokyo
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $2,550 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 1.75% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $2,550
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 1.75%
Compare Tokyo with…
Pick any city to see costs side by side.
Related cities
Similar cost tier, nearby, or in the same country.
Japan
Hachioji-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$1,008
vs NYC
22.9/100
Japan
Osaka-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$906
vs NYC
20.6/100
Japan
Akita-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$872
vs NYC
19.8/100
Japan
Fukuoka-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$773
vs NYC
17.6/100
Japan
Chiba-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$749
vs NYC
17/100
Japan
Kyoto-Japan
Monthly / 1 person
$726
vs NYC
16.5/100
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Tokyo?
- An estimated $1,103 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Tokyo. A family of four needs around $3,185 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $668.
- How much money do I need to live in Tokyo?
- Plan for at least $1,103 per month as a single person, $3,185 per month for a family of four, or $668 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Tokyo.
- What is the average rent in Tokyo?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Tokyo rents for around $1,261 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $2,233 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Tokyo?
- The average monthly net salary in Tokyo is around $2,550. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 49% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Tokyo?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Tokyo costs around $7.66. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $86 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.54/L) and bread ($1.45/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Tokyo?
- A monthly public transport pass in Tokyo costs around $72. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Tokyo?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Tokyo costs around $31 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.