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London vs Tokyo

Tokyo runs about 36% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 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
Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-36%
Tokyo relative to London
Rent gap
$1,550
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonTokyo
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Tokyo $1,050. Cheaper in Tokyo.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Tokyo $780. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Tokyo $232. Cheaper in Tokyo.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Tokyo $216. Cheaper in Tokyo.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Tokyo $17. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Tokyo $179. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Tokyo $114. 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

MetricLondonTokyo
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD2,588 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6341✓
Housing2,600 USD1,050 USD✓
Utilities267 USD216 USD✓
Food617 USD✓780 USD
Transport282 USD232 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle169 USD✓179 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 USD1,921 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓2,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD1,050 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD2,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD12,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10094/100✓
Healthcare84/10088/100✓
Air quality60/10072/100✓
Public transport92/10098/100✓
Walkability90/100✓88/100
English proficiency100/100✓30/100
Nightlife94/100✓88/100
Family friendliness72/10084/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps270 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓16°C
Summer high23°C✓31°C
Winter low3°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h1,880 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access90 min45 min✓
CurrencyGBPJPY
Time zoneEurope/LondonAsia/Tokyo

Tokyo runs about 36% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 USD a month.

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Cost of living in LondonCost of living in TokyoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Tokyo cheaper?

Tokyo runs about 36% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Tokyo compared with London?

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

Which has better quality of life, London or Tokyo?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Tokyo scores 94 and 88. London averages 12°C against 16°C in Tokyo.