🇯🇵 Tokyo vs 🇯🇵 Osaka
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Osaka is 21% cheaper than Tokyo
Quick answer
Comparing Tokyo, Japan and Osaka, Japan: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,685 in Tokyo versus $2,109 in Osaka. Osaka is roughly 21% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,222/mo (Tokyo) vs $809/mo (Osaka). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,685/mo in Tokyo single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $2,109/mo in Osaka single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,222/mo in Tokyo · $809/mo in Osaka.
- Cheaper overall: Osaka ~21% cheaper than Tokyo.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,900/mo | $1,500/mo | -21% |
| Moderate | $2,685/mo | $2,109/mo | -21% |
| Comfortable | $4,050/mo | $3,150/mo | -22% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,222/mo | $809/mo | -34% |
| Groceries & Food | $450/mo | $400/mo | -11% |
| Dining Out | $225/mo | $200/mo | -11% |
| Transport | $225/mo | $200/mo | -11% |
| Utilities & Internet | $225/mo | $200/mo | -11% |
| Healthcare | $180/mo | $160/mo | -11% |
| Leisure & Personal | $158/mo | $140/mo | -11% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Tokyo
$1,222
Osaka
$809
Groceries & Food
Tokyo
$450
Osaka
$400
Dining Out
Tokyo
$225
Osaka
$200
Transport
Tokyo
$225
Osaka
$200
Utilities & Internet
Tokyo
$225
Osaka
$200
Healthcare
Tokyo
$180
Osaka
$160
Leisure & Personal
Tokyo
$158
Osaka
$140
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: SBJ (Statistics Japan), World Bank / SBJ (Statistics Japan), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $2 | -10% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -7% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -11% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $5 | $5 | -11% |
| Rice (5 kg) | $14 | $13 | -7% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramen bowl | $6 | $4 | -33% |
| Bento box (convenience store) | $4 | $5 | +32% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $5 | -6% |
| Cappuccino | $3 | $3 | -9% |
| Beer (0.5L, izakaya) | $3 | $3 | -9% |
Housing
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (23 wards) | $1,222 | $809 | -34% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $700 | $550 | -21% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,500 | $1,800 | -28% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,500 | $1,100 | -27% |
Transport
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (JR + Metro) | $100 | $70 | -30% |
| Taxi start | $3 | $3 | 0% |
| Taxi per km | $3 | $1 | -56% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $150 | $130 | -13% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $33 | -6% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $30 | $28 | -7% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $60 | $50 | -17% |
| Cinema ticket | $12 | $12 | 0% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇯🇵 Osaka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $20 | -20% |
Quick Facts
🇯🇵 Tokyo
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,685
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,222/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $8.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $80
- Internet speed
- 220 Mbps
- Safety index
- 92/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Japan
🇯🇵 Osaka
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,109
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $809/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $7.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $70
- Internet speed
- 210 Mbps
- Safety index
- 90/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Japan
Explore more: Tokyo city guide | Osaka city guide | Japan
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tokyo or Osaka cheaper to live in?
Osaka is approximately 21% cheaper than Tokyo overall.
How much does it cost to live in Tokyo per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Tokyo is approximately $2,685 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Osaka per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Osaka is approximately $2,109 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Tokyo and Osaka?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,222/month in Tokyo and $809/month in Osaka.