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Taipei vs Tokyo

Taipei runs about 48% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 841 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
Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Taipei monthly
$1,747
Index 27 (NYC = 100)
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+48%
Tokyo relative to Taipei
Rent gap
$200
Tokyo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

TaipeiTokyo
  • Housing
    Housing: Taipei $850, Tokyo $1,050. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Food
    Food: Taipei $533, Tokyo $780. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Transport
    Transport: Taipei $91, Tokyo $232. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Taipei $88, Tokyo $216. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Taipei $12, Tokyo $17. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Taipei $107, Tokyo $179. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Other
    Other: Taipei $66, Tokyo $114. 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

MetricTaipeiTokyo
Cost
Total monthly cost1,747 USD✓2,588 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)27✓41
Housing850 USD✓1,050 USD
Utilities88 USD✓216 USD
Food533 USD✓780 USD
Transport91 USD✓232 USD
Healthcare12 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle107 USD✓179 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✓1,921 USD
Average local net salary1,800 USD2,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre850 USD✓1,050 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓2,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD✓12,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety88/10094/100✓
Healthcare86/10088/100✓
Air quality58/10072/100✓
Public transport92/10098/100✓
Walkability84/10088/100✓
English proficiency44/100✓30/100
Nightlife80/10088/100✓
Family friendliness82/10084/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps270 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature23°C16°C✓
Summer high34°C31°C✓
Winter low14°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year1,400 h1,880 h✓
Annual rainfall2400 mm1600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access40 min✓45 min
CurrencyTWDJPY
Time zoneAsia/TaipeiAsia/Tokyo

Taipei runs about 48% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 841 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Taipei or Tokyo cheaper?

Taipei runs about 48% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 841 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Tokyo compared with Taipei?

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

Which has better quality of life, Taipei or Tokyo?

Taipei scores 88/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Tokyo scores 94 and 88. Taipei averages 23°C against 16°C in Tokyo.