What Is the Cost of Living in Tokyo?
Tokyo is one of the leading industrial centres in the world. A number of companies have their corporate headquarters located in Tokyo. Furthermore, the city is well-known for its job opportunities, tradition and culture that welcome students and expats from all over the world for education and jobs.
In this article, we are going to see the cost of living in Tokyo for a month.
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Tokyo?
The average cost of living in Tokyo is quite expensive compared to other top cities globally. The table below shows the approximate monthly cost of living in Tokyo for a family of four, bachelor and students –
| Area of Expense | Bachelors | Students | Family of Four (2 Adults + 2 Kids) |
| Housing | ¥ 70,000 | ¥ 44,000 | ¥ 1,25,000 |
| Groceries | ¥ 30,000 | ¥ 30,000 | ¥ 80,000 |
| Transportation | ¥ 4,000 | ¥ 5,000 | ¥ 46,000 |
| Utilities | ¥ 20,000 | ¥ 7,000 | ¥ 20,000 |
| Entertainment | ¥ 20,000 | ¥ 6,000 | ¥ 33,000 |
| Schooling and childcare | NA | NA | ¥ 26,000 |
| Total | ¥ 1,44,000 | ¥ 92,000 | ¥ 3,30,000 |
What Are the Top Expenses While Living in Tokyo?
There are several areas of expense that impact the monthly cost of living in Tokyo. These include –
1. Housing
Most expats prefer living in serviced or furnished accommodations that are larger and much more expensive than other living spaces in the city. The average rent of these houses varies depending on the housing type, size, age of the property and the amenities available. In general, the monthly rent of a house is highest in the city centre and comparatively lower in the surrounding suburbs and outskirts of Tokyo.
| Classification of Accommodation | Approximate Rent Per Month |
|---|---|
| 900 sq. ft. furnished accommodation (in city centre) | ¥ 4,00,000 |
| 900 sq. ft. furnished accommodation (outside city centre) | ¥ 2,00,000 |
| 480 sq. ft. furnished studio accommodation (in city centre) | ¥ 2,00,000 |
| 480 sq. ft. furnished studio accommodation (outside city centre) | ¥ 1,50,000 |
| Private bedroom in a guest house | ¥ 40,000 |
| Shared room in a dormitory | ¥ 36,000 |
The table below shows the approximate price of buying a property in Tokyo –
| Location of the Property | Cost Per Square Metre |
|---|---|
| Tokyo’s 23 wards | ¥ 11,80,000 |
| Western suburbs | ¥ 7,85,000 |
| Chiba prefecture | ¥ 5,95,000 |
| Kanagawa prefecture | ¥ 7,60,000 |
| Saitama prefecture | ¥ 6,80,000 |
2. Groceries
Grocery is the only area of expense where an individual can easily save money. Just like any other place in the world, one can save a lot by purchasing seasonal vegetables and fruits and cooking with local ingredients. The table below shows the approximate cost of some basic grocery items in Tokyo –
| Grocery Items | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular) (1 litre) | ¥ 200 |
| Fresh Bread (500g) | ¥ 250 |
| Rice (white) (1kg) | ¥ 480 |
| Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) | ¥ 250 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ¥ 1,850 |
| Chicken 1 kg (boneless) | ¥ 1,000 |
| Apples (1kg) | ¥ 900 |
| Banana (1kg) | ¥ 400 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ¥ 800 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ¥ 670 |
| Potato (1kg) | ¥ 450 |
| Onion (1kg) | ¥ 350 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ¥ 200 |
3. Transportation
Tokyo is known for having one of the most efficient transportation systems in the whole world. The convenience, speed and timeliness of the transportation system are praised far and wide. The city is interconnected by trains, buses and subways. Furthermore, students in Tokyo enjoy the benefits of a monthly pass using which they can have unlimited stops between their campus and home.
| Fuel Cost/Transportation Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | ¥ 200 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | ¥ 10,250 |
| Price of diesel (as of 13th June) | ¥ 144.44 per litre |
| Price of gasoline (as of 13th June) | ¥ 165.25 per litre |
| Taxi (1 km) | ¥ 420 |
| Rental bikes and scooters | ¥ 100 - ¥ 300 per hour |
| Cabs (minimum fare) | ¥ 730 |
4. Basic Utilities
The money spent on the basic utilities like electricity, gas connection, water supply, internet and mobile prepaid package adds up a significant amount to the monthly expenses in Tokyo.
| Monthly Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic (heating, cooling, electricity, water) for a house | ¥ 23,000 |
| Prepaid mobile bill | ¥ 48 |
| Internet for cable, ADSL, unlimited data | ¥ 4,500 |
5. Entertainment
Tokyo has a number of movie theatres, nightlife hotspots and game centres to relax and enjoy. However, these areas demand a lot of money. Therefore, be careful that you manage your expenses wisely.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | ¥ 9,700 |
| 1 morning cappuccino | ¥ 435 |
| Tennis court rent for 1 hour | ¥ 3,800 |
| Cinema (1 seat) | ¥ 1,900 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | ¥ 1,000 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | ¥ 6,000 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | ¥ 700 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
While evaluating the cost of living in Tokyo, a person should consider the monthly tuition fees of their kids. Tokyo has a number of reputed schools and colleges that impart high-end education and training to children.
| School and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool or kindergarten, full-day, private, monthly for 1 Child | ¥ 70,000 |
| International primary school, yearly for 1 child | ¥ 21,00,000 |
The table below illustrates the best international schools in Tokyo –
| School | Curriculum |
|---|---|
| New International School of Japan | International, Japanese |
| United School of Tokyo | American, International |
| Tokyo YMCA International School | American, International |
| Axis International School | American |
| Horizon Japan International School | International Baccalaureate, American |
| Shinagawa International School | International Baccalaureate |
| Clarence International School | British |
| Laurus International School of Science | British |
| Kohana International School | British |
| The French-Japanese International School of Tokyo | French |
How Expensive Is Tokyo Compared to Other Top Cities?
According to ‘Mercer Cost of Living Survey’ 2021, Tokyo is the fourth most expensive city for expats in the world to live in. The cost of groceries is 41.51% higher in Tokyo than in London. However, Tokyo is comparatively cheaper than leading cities like New York and California.
Therefore, Tokyo is one of the costliest cities in the world. However, an individual's lifestyle and standard of living play the most crucial role in deciding the cost of living in Tokyo. Managing your expenses wisely can help you save more money at the end of the month or year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is residing in Tokyo costly?
The standard of living in Tokyo is relatively high. Furthermore, the city ranks fourth in the list of the most expensive cities in the world.
What annual salary does a person need to live in Tokyo?
To lead a comfortable life in Tokyo, an individual must earn ¥ 4 million annually.