The Cost of Living in Japan: Updated 2026

The cost of living in Japan (生活費, seikatsuhi) varies significantly by city, household size, and lifestyle — but government data gives a reliable baseline.

According to the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (家計調査, kakei chosa) published by the Statistics Bureau of Japan, the yearly average of monthly living expenses for a two-or-more-person household in 2025 was 314,001 yen, up 4.6% in nominal terms from 2024.

For a single-person household in 2025, the average monthly living costs were 173,042 yen, up 2.1% in nominal terms from the previous year.

Tokyo and other major cities (大都市) are more expensive than rural areas, particularly for rent (家賃) and transportation. Foreign residents must also budget for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険), which adds approximately ¥14,000–¥38,000 per month for a salaried worker, and is not included in the household expenditure figures below.

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 2025 for two-or-more-person households in Japan

On February 6, 2026, the Statistics Bureau of Japan released its Family Income and Expenditure Survey results for 2025 covering two-or-more-person households.

The yearly average of monthly consumption expenditures per two-or-more-person household for 2025 was 314,001 yen, up 4.6% in nominal terms and up 0.9% in real terms from the previous year — the first real-terms increase in three years.

For reference, the 2024 figure was 300,243 yen. Costs have risen for four consecutive years in nominal terms, though real (inflation-adjusted) purchasing power has declined in two of those years as prices have risen faster than incomes.

Broken down by line items, here are the following average living expenses for 2025 for two-person or more households:

Food

Monthly cost: ¥94,895 Year-over-year nominal change: +5.5% Year-over-year real change: -1.2%

Housing

Mortgage or rent for accommodation

Monthly cost: ¥18,678 Year-over-year nominal change: +3.3% Year-over-year real change: +0.7%

Fuel, light & water charges

Utility bills, gas, electricity, water charges, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥24,547 Year-over-year nominal change: +6.2% Year-over-year real change: +2.5%

Furniture & household utensils

Daily necessities, household items, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥13,068 Year-over-year nominal change: +2.2% Year-over-year real change: -0.5%

Clothing & footwear

Clothes, shoes, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥10,063 Year-over-year nominal change: +0.8% Year-over-year real change: -1.8%

Medical care

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

Monthly cost: ¥15,863 Year-over-year nominal change: +3.4% Year-over-year real change: +1.9%

Transportation & communication

Travel expenses, commuter passes, vehicle costs, mobile & internet, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥45,730 Year-over-year nominal change: +9.6% Year-over-year real change: +6.7%

Education

Tuition, school textbooks, supplementary education, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥11,939 Year-over-year nominal change: +2.0% Year-over-year real change: +6.8%

Culture & recreation

Entertainment, cultural activities, theater performances, leisure, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥32,125 Year-over-year nominal change: +6.2% Year-over-year real change: +3.7%

Other consumption expenditures

Monthly cost: ¥47,093 Year-over-year nominal change: -0.5% Year-over-year real change: -4.1%

Cost of living in 2025 for single-person households in Japan

On February 6, 2026, the Statistics Bureau of Japan also released its FIES results covering single-person household expenditure.

The yearly average of monthly consumption expenditures per single-person household for 2025 was 173,042 yen, up 2.1% in nominal terms but down 1.5% in real terms from the previous year — the third consecutive year of real decline.

Food

Monthly cost: ¥49,321 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: -4.2%

Housing

Mortgage or rent for accommodation

Monthly cost: ¥21,667 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: -9.6%

Fuel, light & water charges

Utility bills, gas, electricity, water, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥13,333 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: +0.4%

Furniture & household utensils

Daily necessities, household items, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥6,120 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: +0.4%

Clothing & footwear

Clothes, shoes, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥4,908 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: -7.6%

Medical care

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

Monthly cost: ¥8,754 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: +1.5%

Transportation & communication

Travel expenses, commuter passes, mobile & internet, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥19,334 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: -8.5%

Education

Tuition, textbooks, continuing education, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥37 Year-over-year real change: N/A (negligible; single-person households have near-zero education expenditure)

Culture & recreation

Entertainment, theater performances, leisure, etc.

Monthly cost: ¥21,173 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: +1.5%

Other consumption expenditures

Monthly cost: ¥28,396 Year-over-year nominal change: (see note) Year-over-year real change: +11.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the average monthly cost of living in Japan?

According to the Statistics Bureau of Japan's Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the average monthly consumption expenditure for a two-or-more-person household in 2025 was 314,001 yen. For a single-person household in 2024, the average was 169,547 yen. These government averages cover food, housing, utilities, transportation, and other daily necessities, but do not include National Health Insurance premiums, which foreign residents must budget separately. Actual monthly costs will vary depending on city, lifestyle, and whether you rent in the city center or suburbs.

Is Japan expensive for foreigners to live in?

Japan's cost of living is moderate by global standards for large cities. A single foreigner living in central Tokyo might spend ¥200,000–¥370,000 per month including rent, food, transportation, and health insurance, while someone in a mid-size city like Fukuoka or Hiroshima could live comfortably on ¥150,000–¥250,000 per month. Outside major cities, monthly costs can fall below ¥150,000. Japan is generally considered more affordable than comparable metropolitan areas in the United States or Western Europe, particularly for food, public transportation, and healthcare.

How much is rent in Japan for foreigners?

Rent (家賃, yachin) is the largest single variable in Japan's cost of living. In central Tokyo, a one-room apartment typically costs ¥90,000–¥150,000 per month. In mid-size cities such as Osaka, Nagoya, or Fukuoka, similar apartments range from ¥50,000–¥90,000. In rural areas or suburbs, rent can fall to ¥30,000–¥50,000 per month. According to the 2025 FIES data, the average monthly housing expenditure for a single-person household in Japan was ¥21,667 — though this national average is pulled down by those in employer-provided housing or owned properties and does not reflect typical rental market prices for foreigners.

How much does health insurance cost per month in Japan?

All foreign residents with a valid visa for stays of more than three months must enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, Kokumin Kenko Hoken) if they are not covered by an employer plan. Monthly NHI premiums are income-based and set by each municipality. A newly arrived foreigner with no prior Japan-sourced income may pay as little as ¥1,500–¥4,500 per month in their first year. A salaried worker earning ¥3–5 million annually can expect ¥14,000–¥38,000 per month. The national annual NHI premium cap for FY2025 was ¥1,060,000 (approximately ¥88,000 per month). The standard patient co-payment at a clinic or hospital is 30% of the bill for those aged 6–69.

What is the cheapest city to live in Japan?

Among Japan's major urban areas, cities in rural prefectures and smaller regional hubs tend to offer the lowest overall cost of living. Cities like Kagoshima, Matsuyama, and Toyama consistently rank among the more cost-effective options, with rents and daily expenses noticeably lower than in Tokyo or Osaka. Within the major cities, Fukuoka is widely cited as a cost-effective option for foreigners — offering urban amenities, strong international infrastructure, and rents that are 30–50% lower than central Tokyo. Rural living (地方移住, chiho iju) can reduce monthly expenses to below ¥100,000 for a single person, though salary levels and job availability may also be lower.

How much does food cost per month in Japan?

According to the 2025 FIES data, single-person households in Japan spent an average of ¥49,321 per month on food. This covers groceries and some dining out. Those who primarily cook at home using Japanese supermarkets can expect to spend around ¥30,000–¥40,000 per month on groceries. Eating out regularly — at the range of casual restaurants, ramen shops, and set-lunch (定食, teishoku) establishments widely available across Japan — typically adds ¥15,000–¥40,000 to the monthly food budget. Convenience stores (コンビニ, konbini) such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart provide budget meals starting from around ¥500.

How do transportation costs work for living in Japan?

Japan's public transportation network is one of the most extensive in the world. In major cities, monthly commuter passes (定期券, teikiken) are the most cost-effective way to travel, covering unlimited travel on designated routes for a fixed fee. Tokyo commuters with a 30-minute commute can expect to spend approximately ¥8,000–¥15,000 per month on a commuter pass, while longer commutes or bullet train (新幹線, shinkansen) use for intercity travel can increase transportation costs significantly. According to FIES data, the average monthly transportation and communication expense for a single-person household was ¥19,334 in 2025. In rural areas, a car may be necessary, adding fuel, insurance, and parking costs of ¥30,000–¥60,000 or more per month.

In closing

One major living cost not captured in the FIES household expenditure data is National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, Kokumin Kenko Hoken).

All foreign residents with a valid visa for a stay of more than three months are legally required to enroll in either employer-based health insurance or the National Health Insurance scheme.

For those not covered by an employer plan, monthly NHI premiums are income-based and vary by municipality. In 2025–2026, a salaried worker earning ¥3–5 million per year can expect to pay approximately ¥14,000–¥38,000 per month, while a newly arrived foreigner with no prior Japan-sourced income may pay as little as ¥1,500–¥4,500 per month in their first year. Premiums are capped nationally at approximately ¥88,000 per month. Budget for this separately when planning your total monthly costs.

Estimated total monthly cost of living in Japan by city type

The table below provides a rough monthly budget estimate for a single foreign resident, combining FIES category data with typical rental market prices as of 2025–2026. These are estimates and will vary by lifestyle and specific neighborhood.

Note: Rent is the largest variable in Japan's cost of living. Sharing accommodation or living further from a city center can reduce total costs significantly.

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.