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Taipei vs Osaka

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Osaka for this household, a difference of 455 USD a month.

View of the North Gate of Taipei City from the northwest
Taipei
$1,747/month · Taiwan
Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0
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
Taipei monthly
$1,747
Index 27 (NYC = 100)
Osaka monthly
$2,202
Index 35 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+26%
Osaka relative to Taipei
Rent gap
$100
Taipei costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

TaipeiOsaka
  • Housing
    Housing: Taipei $850, Osaka $750. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Food
    Food: Taipei $533, Osaka $734. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Transport
    Transport: Taipei $91, Osaka $218. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Taipei $88, Osaka $210. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Taipei $12, Osaka $16. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Taipei $107, Osaka $167. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Other
    Other: Taipei $66, Osaka $108. Cheaper in Taipei.
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

MetricTaipeiOsaka
Cost
Total monthly cost1,747 USD✓2,202 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)27✓35
Housing850 USD750 USD✓
Utilities88 USD✓210 USD
Food533 USD✓734 USD
Transport91 USD✓218 USD
Healthcare12 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle107 USD✓167 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,797 USD✓4,509 USD
Effective tax + social rate18.4%✓45.9%
Left over each month5,050 USD✓2,307 USD
Average local net salary1,800 USD2,200 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre850 USD750 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,700 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety88/10092/100✓
Healthcare86/10086/100
Air quality58/10068/100✓
Public transport92/10094/100✓
Walkability84/10086/100✓
English proficiency44/100✓26/100
Nightlife80/10086/100✓
Family friendliness82/10082/100
Median broadband180 Mbps265 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature23°C17°C✓
Summer high34°C33°C✓
Winter low14°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year1,400 h2,050 h✓
Annual rainfall2400 mm1400 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access40 min40 min
CurrencyTWDJPY
Time zoneAsia/TaipeiAsia/Tokyo

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Osaka for this household, a difference of 455 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in TaipeiCost of living in OsakaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Taipei vs SeoulTaipei vs TokyoTaipei vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Taipei or Osaka cheaper?

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Osaka for this household, a difference of 455 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Osaka compared with Taipei?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,797 a month in Taipei and $4,509 in Osaka, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Taipei or Osaka?

Taipei scores 88/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Osaka scores 92 and 86. Taipei averages 23°C against 17°C in Osaka.