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London vs Osaka

Osaka runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,848 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
A view of the skyline of Osaka from Abeno Harukas on 5 May 2026. Focal length of this picture is 23 mm.
Osaka
$2,202/month · Japan
Loggieloggie · CC0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Osaka monthly
$2,202
Index 35 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-46%
Osaka relative to London
Rent gap
$1,850
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonOsaka
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Osaka $750. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Osaka $734. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Osaka $218. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Osaka $210. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Osaka $16. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Osaka $167. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Osaka $108. Cheaper in London.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricLondonOsaka
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD2,202 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6335✓
Housing2,600 USD750 USD✓
Utilities267 USD210 USD✓
Food617 USD✓734 USD
Transport282 USD218 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle169 USD167 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD✓4,509 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.6%✓45.9%
Left over each month1,902 USD2,307 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓2,200 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD750 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD1,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10092/100✓
Healthcare84/10086/100✓
Air quality60/10068/100✓
Public transport92/10094/100✓
Walkability90/100✓86/100
English proficiency100/100✓26/100
Nightlife94/100✓86/100
Family friendliness72/10082/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps265 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓17°C
Summer high23°C✓33°C
Winter low3°C3°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h2,050 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access90 min40 min✓
CurrencyGBPJPY
Time zoneEurope/LondonAsia/Tokyo

Osaka runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,848 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Osaka cheaper?

Osaka runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,848 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Osaka compared with London?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $4,509 in Osaka, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, London or Osaka?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Osaka scores 92 and 86. London averages 12°C against 17°C in Osaka.