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Cost of Living in Tokyo

Tokyo, Tōkyō, Japan · Population 37,785,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Japan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)¥189,164 ($1,220)
Couple, monthly¥343,748 ($2,218)
Family of four, monthly¥452,257 ($2,918)

Estimated Prices in Tokyo

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant¥1,753 ($11.31)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range¥7,012 ($45.24)per meal
Cappuccino¥526 ($3.39)each
Monthly groceries (single person)¥39,736 ($256)per month
Monthly public transport pass¥6,428 ($41.47)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment¥16,946 ($109)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)¥4,909 ($31.67)per month
Fitness club membership¥4,909 ($31.67)per month
Cinema ticket¥1,286 ($8.29)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre¥103,922 ($670)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre¥72,294 ($466)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre¥216,881 ($1,399)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Tokyo is ¥503,750 ($3,250) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ¥189,164 ($1,220) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ¥245,913 ($1,587) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (¥72,294 ($466)) represents about 38% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Tokyo

Tokyo vs ŌsakaTokyo vs NagoyaTokyo vs YokohamaTokyo vs FukuokaTokyo vs SapporoTokyo vs Kawasaki

Nearby Cities

Chiyoda-ku

1 km away · Tōkyō

Chūō-ku

2 km away · Tōkyō

Bunkyō-ku

3 km away · Tōkyō

Minato

3 km away · Tōkyō

Taitō

4 km away · Tōkyō

Shinjuku

4 km away · Tōkyō

Shibuya

5 km away · Tōkyō

Shibuya-ku

5 km away · Tōkyō

Other Major Cities in Japan

Ōsaka

Ōsaka · pop. 15,126,000

¥185,978 ($1,200) / mo

Nagoya

Aichi · pop. 9,197,000

¥185,978 ($1,200) / mo

Yokohama

Kanagawa · pop. 3,757,630

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Fukuoka

Fukuoka · pop. 2,286,000

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Sapporo

Hokkaidō · pop. 1,959,313

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Kawasaki

Kanagawa · pop. 1,538,262

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Kōbe

Hyōgo · pop. 1,521,707

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Kyōto

Kyōto · pop. 1,431,419

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Living in Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital and one of the key cities in Japan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ¥189,164 ($1,220), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ¥72,294 ($466) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ¥452,257 ($2,918) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ¥343,748 ($2,218) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Tokyo is ¥503,750 ($3,250). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ¥245,913 ($1,587) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tokyo expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ¥189,164 ($1,220) per month in Tokyo including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Japan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Tokyo?
A net salary of around ¥245,913 ($1,587) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Tokyo with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Tokyo is ¥503,750 ($3,250).
How much is rent in Tokyo?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ¥103,922 ($670) per month in the city centre and ¥72,294 ($466) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ¥216,881 ($1,399).
Is Tokyo cheaper than Japan on average?
No — Tokyo is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Japan average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Tokyo?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ¥39,736 ($256) in Tokyo. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ¥1,753 ($11) and a cappuccino runs around ¥526 ($3).
How do transport costs in Tokyo compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Tokyo is estimated at ¥6,428 ($41). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Tokyo are estimates based on Japan national averages adjusted for city size (population 37,785,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.