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Osaka vs Tokyo

Osaka runs about 18% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

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
Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Osaka monthly
$2,202
Index 35 (NYC = 100)
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+18%
Tokyo relative to Osaka
Rent gap
$300
Tokyo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

OsakaTokyo
  • Housing
    Housing: Osaka $750, Tokyo $1,050. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Food
    Food: Osaka $734, Tokyo $780. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Transport
    Transport: Osaka $218, Tokyo $232. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Osaka $210, Tokyo $216. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Osaka $16, Tokyo $17. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Osaka $167, Tokyo $179. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Other
    Other: Osaka $108, Tokyo $114. Cheaper in Osaka.
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

MetricOsakaTokyo
Cost
Total monthly cost2,202 USD✓2,588 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)35✓41
Housing750 USD✓1,050 USD
Utilities210 USD✓216 USD
Food734 USD✓780 USD
Transport218 USD✓232 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle167 USD✓179 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,509 USD4,509 USD
Effective tax + social rate45.9%45.9%
Left over each month2,307 USD✓1,921 USD
Average local net salary2,200 USD2,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre750 USD✓1,050 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓2,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,000 USD✓12,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/10094/100✓
Healthcare86/10088/100✓
Air quality68/10072/100✓
Public transport94/10098/100✓
Walkability86/10088/100✓
English proficiency26/10030/100✓
Nightlife86/10088/100✓
Family friendliness82/10084/100✓
Median broadband265 Mbps270 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C16°C✓
Summer high33°C31°C✓
Winter low3°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year2,050 h✓1,880 h
Annual rainfall1400 mm✓1600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access40 min✓45 min
CurrencyJPYJPY
Time zoneAsia/TokyoAsia/Tokyo

Osaka runs about 18% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

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Cost of living in OsakaCost of living in TokyoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Osaka vs TaipeiOsaka vs SeoulOsaka vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Osaka or Tokyo cheaper?

Osaka runs about 18% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Tokyo compared with Osaka?

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

Which has better quality of life, Osaka or Tokyo?

Osaka scores 92/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Tokyo scores 94 and 88. Osaka averages 17°C against 16°C in Tokyo.