The Cost of Living in Japan: Updated 2023

Foreigners thinking of visiting or living in Japan often wonder whether or not Japan will be affordable for them and what to expect from the prices to be found in Japan's bigger cities.

If you're wondering what type of quality of life to expect when moving to Japan and what the estimated monthly costs for major cities might be, this article is for you.

Every year the government of Japan conducts the Family Income and Expenditure Survey which provides a snapshot into the cost of living in Japan.

About Japan's Family Income and Expenditure Survey

Following World War II, the Consumer Price Survey (CPS) began in July 1946, gathering monthly household expenditure data. However, it lacked income information, prompting the introduction of the Family Income Survey (FIS) in 1948.

By September 1950, these two surveys merged into the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES). Initially covering only urban areas, the survey's scope expanded to all of Japan in July 1962, and the sample size grew from 4,200 households in 28 cities to about 8,000 in 170 municipalities.

By January 2002, the sample size expanded to approximately 9,000 households and it began reporting on one-person households as well.

Cost of living in 2022 for two-person households in Japan

On February 7, 2023, the government released its data covering the cost of living in 2022 for two-person households.

The yearly average of monthly costs per two-person household for 2022 was 290,865 yen, up 4.2% in nominal terms and up 1.2% in inflation-adjusted real terms from the previous year.

Image. Cost of living for double person households 2022.

Broken down by line items, here are the following average living expenses for 2022 for two-person or more households:

Food

Food, meal expenses, groceries, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥81,888

• Year-over-year nominal change: 3.1%

• Year-over-year real change: -1.3%

Housing

Mortgage or rent for accommodation

• Monthly cost: ¥18,652

• Year-over-year nominal change: 1.7%

• Year-over-year real change: -0.5%

Fuel, light & water charges

Utility bills, gas, electricity, water, energy utilities, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥24,524

• Year-over-year nominal change: 13.9%

• Year-over-year real change: -0.8%

Furniture & household utensils

Daily necessities, daily use items, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥12,390

• Year-over-year nominal change: 2.4%

• Year-over-year real change: -1.3%

Clothing & footwear

Clothes, shoes, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥9,493

• Year-over-year nominal change: 4.8%

• Year-over-year real change: 3.1%

Medical care

Medicine, doctor trips, etc. (national health insurance not included)

• Monthly cost: ¥14,797

• Year-over-year nominal change: 3.4%

• Year-over-year real change: 3.7%

Transportation & communication

Travel expenses, bullet trains, commuter passes, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥41,535

• Year-over-year nominal change: 4.4

• Year-over-year real change: 6.0

Education

Text books for school, continuing education classes

• Monthly cost: ¥11,439

• Year-over-year nominal change: -3.9%

• Year-over-year real change: -4.8%

Culture & recreation

Entertainment related expenses, theater performances, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥27,619

• Year-over-year nominal change: 9.4%

• Year-over-year real change: 8.2%

Other consumption expenditures

• Monthly cost: ¥48,529

• Year-over-year nominal change: 2.5%

• Year-over-year real change: -0.5%

Cost of living in 2022 for one-person households in Japan

On February 7, 2023, the government released its data covering the cost of living in 2022 for single-person households.

The yearly average of monthly costs for a one-person household for 2022 was 161,753 yen, up 4.3% in nominal terms and up 1.3% in inflation-adjusted real terms from the previous year.

Broken down by line items, here are the following average living expenses for 2022 for single-person households:

Food

Food, meal expenses, groceries, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥39,069

• Year-over-year nominal change: 1.7%

• Year-over-year real change: -2.7%

Housing

Mortgage or house rent for accommodation

• Monthly cost: ¥23,300

• Year-over-year nominal change: 5.4%

• Year-over-year real change: 3.1%

Fuel, light & water charges

Utility bills, gas, electricity, water, energy utilities, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥13,098

• Year-over-year nominal change: 15.1%

• Year-over-year real change: 0.3%

Furniture & household utensils

Daily necessities, daily use items, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥5,487

• Year-over-year nominal change: -3.5%

• Year-over-year real change: -7%

Clothing & footwear

Clothes, shoes, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥5,047

• Year-over-year nominal change: 9.6%

• Year-over-year real change: 7.9%

Medical care

Medicine, doctor fees, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥7,384

• Year-over-year nominal change: -3.2%

• Year-over-year real change: -2.9%

Transportation & communication

Travel expenses, commuter passes, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥19,303

• Year-over-year nominal change: 2.4%

• Year-over-year real change: 4%

Culture & recreation

Entertainment-related expenses, theater performances, etc.

• Monthly cost: ¥17,993

• Year-over-year nominal change: 5.2%

• Year-over-year real change: 4.1%

Other consumption expenditures

• Monthly cost: ¥31,071

• Year-over-year nominal change: 6.2%

• Year-over-year real change: 3.1%

In closing

Keep in mind, the cost of living in Japan will also vary depending on where one is living.

For example, someone in Tokyo will likely be paying more on average for any number of items compared to someone living in the country-side. Likewise, employees in large cities are often paid more than those in non-metropolis areas.

One should also note that expenses and living standards were reported higher among those with a higher salary.

Living costs, such as rent, will also fluctuate based on whether you live in the city center, or if you live in the suburbs. Your public transportation bill will also grow if you live outside of bigger cities and must commute to work.