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Tokyo vs London

Tokyo runs about 57% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 USD a month.

Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
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
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+57%
London relative to Tokyo
Rent gap
$1,550
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricTokyoLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost2,588 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)41✓63
Housing1,050 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities216 USD✓267 USD
Food780 USD617 USD✓
Transport232 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare17 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle179 USD169 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,509 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.9%28.6%✓
Left over each month1,921 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary2,400 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,050 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,400 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety94/100✓66/100
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality72/100✓60/100
Public transport98/100✓92/100
Walkability88/10090/100✓
English proficiency30/100100/100✓
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness84/100✓72/100
Median broadband270 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature16°C12°C✓
Summer high31°C23°C✓
Winter low2°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,880 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall1600 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access45 min✓90 min
CurrencyJPYGBP
Time zoneAsia/TokyoEurope/London

Tokyo runs about 57% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 USD a month.

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Cost of living in TokyoCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Tokyo vs SeoulTokyo vs TaipeiTokyo vs Osaka
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tokyo or London cheaper?

Tokyo runs about 57% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,462 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Tokyo?

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

Which has better quality of life, Tokyo or London?

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