Skip to content

Tokyo vs Osaka

Osaka runs about 15% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
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
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Osaka monthly
$2,202
Index 35 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-15%
Osaka relative to Tokyo
Rent gap
$300
Tokyo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricTokyoOsaka
Cost
Total monthly cost2,588 USD2,202 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4135✓
Housing1,050 USD750 USD✓
Utilities216 USD210 USD✓
Food780 USD734 USD✓
Transport232 USD218 USD✓
Healthcare17 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle179 USD167 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,509 USD4,509 USD
Effective tax + social rate45.9%45.9%
Left over each month1,921 USD2,307 USD✓
Average local net salary2,400 USD✓2,200 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,050 USD750 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,400 USD1,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety94/100✓92/100
Healthcare88/100✓86/100
Air quality72/100✓68/100
Public transport98/100✓94/100
Walkability88/100✓86/100
English proficiency30/100✓26/100
Nightlife88/100✓86/100
Family friendliness84/100✓82/100
Median broadband270 Mbps✓265 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature16°C✓17°C
Summer high31°C✓33°C
Winter low2°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,880 h2,050 h✓
Annual rainfall1600 mm1400 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min40 min✓
CurrencyJPYJPY
Time zoneAsia/TokyoAsia/Tokyo

Osaka runs about 15% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in TokyoCost of living in OsakaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Tokyo vs SeoulTokyo vs TaipeiTokyo vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tokyo or Osaka cheaper?

Osaka runs about 15% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 386 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Osaka compared with Tokyo?

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

Which has better quality of life, Tokyo or Osaka?

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