Japan
A mesmerizing megacity where ancient temples sit beside neon-lit skyscrapers. Known for the world's best food scene, impeccable transit, and a culture of precision and innovation.
#97 of 250
11% above average
Monthly cost, one adult
$ 1 593
Based on NYC = 100 index
Tokyo is the 97. most expensive of the 250 cities we track — a month here comes to $ 1 593 for one adult.
Most of that goes on transportation, which runs 178% above the median city and adds $ 114 a month: monthly transit pass $ 112, one-way ticket $ 1. It is also pricier than usual for basic grocery basket.
Cheaper here than almost anywhere else is healthcare, 37% below the median: doctor visit (15 min) $ 19, cold medicine (6 days) $ 3. You also get off lightly on restaurants, housing.
Percentages compare this city against the median of all tracked cities, category by category.
48 prices on this page come from live scrapers (14 sources, observed October 13, 2026 to October 13, 2026). They are free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit CostCompass and link this page.
CostCompass (2026). Cost of living in Tokyo, Japan. Data as of 2026-10-14. https://costcompass.net/living/cities/tokyo. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
| Item | Price (USD) | Observations | Last observed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (City Center) | 934.91 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Suumo |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 536.94 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Suumo |
| 3BR Apartment (City Center) | 3,095.32 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Suumo |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 1,137.06 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Suumo |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 8.32 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Pork (1kg) | 16.41 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Beef (1kg) | 46.47 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Fish Fillet (1kg) | 23.37 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Deli Meat / Ham (1kg) | 15.47 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Milk (1 liter) | 1.90 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Yogurt (150g) | 0.61 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Cheese (1kg) | 17.97 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Butter (200g) | 4.01 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Eggs (12) | 2.67 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Bread (500g) | 1.79 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Bread Roll (1pc) | 0.25 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart |
| Pasta (500g) | 2.57 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Rice (1kg) | 6.06 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Oats (500g) | 3.58 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 3.13 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 5.67 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Bell Peppers (1kg) | 7.54 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Carrots (1kg) | 3.61 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Onions (1kg) | 2.23 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.24 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart |
| Apples (1kg) | 6.72 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Banana (1kg) | 2.71 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Oranges (1kg) | 4.79 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Canned Tomatoes (400g) | 2.51 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart |
| Flour (1kg) | 2.26 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Sugar (1kg) | 2.17 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Coffee (250g) | 8.21 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Water (1.5 liter) | 0.64 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart, Retail Price Survey (小売物価統計調査) |
| Orange Juice (1L) | 2.26 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Rakuten Mart |
| Monthly Transit Pass | 111.62 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | City Transit Fares |
| One-way Ticket | 1.14 / trip | 1 | 2026-10-13 | City Transit Fares |
| Taxi Start | 3.16 / trip | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Taxi Tariffs |
| Taxi 1km | 2.72 / km | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Taxi Tariffs |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.07 / liter | 1 | 2026-10-13 | National fuel price sources |
| Basic Utilities (85m2 Apt) | 68.05 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Electricity Tariffs |
| Mobile Plan (10GB+) | 18.76 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Telecom Tariffs Japan / Brazil / South Africa |
| Internet (60 Mbps+) | 22.24 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Telecom Tariffs Japan / Brazil / South Africa |
| Fitness Club (Monthly) | 75.67 / month | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Asia Entertainment Chains, Gym Chains |
| Cinema Ticket | 13.90 / ticket | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Cinema Ticket Prices (Asia-Pacific), Asia Entertainment Chains |
| Cold Medicine (6 days) | 2.51 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Global Local Pharmacies |
| Jeans (Levis or Similar) | 31.52 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Uniqlo |
| Summer Dress (Chain Store) | 18.89 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Uniqlo |
| Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas) | 111.18 / pair | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Nike.com (live) |
Cities where the money splits the same way
South Africa
Similar share of Restaurants & Transportation
Brazil
Similar share of Basic Grocery Basket & Transportation
Taiwan
Similar share of Restaurants & Entertainment · compared on 6 of 8 categories
South Korea
Similar share of Basic Grocery Basket & Utilities
Monthly average costs by category
$ 736
per month
$ 256
per month
$ 157
per month
$ 177
per month
$ 109
per month
$ 124
per month
$ 11
per month
$ 24
per month