Tokyo is an always-blossoming destination.

The population is ever growing due to their advanced technology and opportunities. While it’s high in technological advancements, it’s also a fashion forward city. Tokyo is one of the largest city on the planet Earth.

How crazy is that?!

Cost of living in Tokyo

Monthly Housing and Utilities

There are many things to take into account when looking at the prices month to month. With rent being your number one priority, falling short behind are utilities, groceries, transportation and washing clothes.

For monthly rent in an apartment that is 900 sq. feet in the heart of Tokyo, it is over ¥280,000, which equates for $2,300 USD a month. But this isn’t in a cheap area. This is if you want to live in the middle of the city where all the action happens. But with an expensive apartment like this per month, surprisingly, utilities aren’t as high. For two people to live in said apartment, it will be around $111.00 USD in utilities per month. That comes to over ¥13,000. You’re paying mostly for the location.

Luxuries

For Internet, it is around 3600 Yen a month, which equates to $22 USD.  For that great 40” flat screen, that will run you about $600 USD to purchase, which comes to around 72,000 Yen.

To buy your apartment’s first microwave, it will cost you around 24,000 Yen or $210 USD.  For two tickets to that awesome new action movie you’ve been wanting to see, it will be about 3500 Yen or $30 USD.  You can watch a movie from home on Netflix to save cash but you may need to unblock it due to geographical restrictions.

But if you’re looking for a beverage, the price will vary on what you get and where.

  • A beer in your neighborhood:  ¥618 or $5.23
  • A cocktail at a club in the city: ¥1,300 or $11.00
  • Coffee, latte or cappuccino in the city: ¥480 or $4.00

Transportation

For gas, it will cost you about 628 Yen for a gallon of gas, which is the equivalent of $5.30. But for a monthly, unlimited bus pass in Tokyo, you’ll pay around 12,000 Yen or $102 USD. With the public transportation system going to so many places within the area, the bus pass is a steal if you don’t have enough money for a car monthly!

Use the below to check out the cost of different trips in Tokyo and around.

Powered by 12Go system

Conclusion

As you can see, it may not be as high monthly as New York City or Los Angeles, but moving to Tokyo would require some planning no matter what part of the world you are coming from. It may be an easy transition or an extremely hard one but knowing the average prices before hand for certain locations will help you tremendously.

Author

  • Travel Dudes

    I'm sure you've had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You're in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.