🇯🇵 Japan
A 24-hour field dispatch ~ what Tokyo costs, what it pays, and what it feels like to wake up here.
Compare Tokyo →Move Score
7.2/10
Cost, salary, visa, quality of life combined.
Population
13.9M
Asia/Tokyo · Japanese
One-bedroom, central Tokyo: ¥140,000 / month. Outside the centre, 25 min by transit: ¥90,000 / month. Utilities: ¥15,000.
High rain, high salaries. The locals stopped noticing either.
Rent · 1BR centre
¥140,000/mo
Within 15 min of city centre
Rent · outside
¥90,000/mo
25–35 min transit to centre
Utilities
¥15,000/mo
Power, water, internet ~ 1BR
Monthly pass: ¥10,000 / month. Walkability: 9.0 / 10 — most errands on foot. Safety: 9.5 / 10. Low violent crime.
Transit · monthly
¥10,000/mo
Unlimited metro + bus + tram
Walkability
9.0/10
Safety
9.5/10
Low violent crime. Petty theft in tourist zones.
After 33% income tax (plus 10% Tokyo Metropolitan resident tax on top of national income tax.), take-home is ¥311,550 / month.
Purchasing power is competitive. Cost of living doesn't cancel the take-home.
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (points-based, 70+ points). Specified Skilled Worker. Engineer/Specialist visa via employer sponsorship. Startup Visa in select cities. Japanese language near-essential for most roles.
UX designer · gross
¥5,580,000/yr
Income tax
33%
10% Tokyo Metropolitan resident tax on top of national income tax.
Take-home · monthly
¥311,550avg
After tax · before rent
Groceries for one, cooking most nights: ¥35,000 / month. A restaurant meal for two, mid-range: ¥60,000.
Healthcare: public system, covered for residents. Internet: 9.2 / 10. Fast. Remote work is viable.
Groceries · monthly
¥35,000/mo
Single, cooking most nights
Dinner for two
¥60,000avg
Mid-range, with wine
Internet
9.2/10
Fibre widely available
Shinjuku
Buzzing & Everything
1BR rent: ¥160,000 · Good for: Singles, Nightlife, Remote workers
Shibuya
Trendy & Young
1BR rent: ¥180,000 · Good for: Young professionals, Culture, Nightlife
Shimokitazawa
Vintage & Bohemian
1BR rent: ¥110,000 · Good for: Remote workers, Culture, Budget
Nakameguro
Upscale & Scenic
1BR rent: ¥200,000 · Good for: Couples, High earners
Koenji
Alternative & Affordable
1BR rent: ¥90,000 · Good for: Budget, Young professionals, Culture
Expat-friendly
6.5/10
Nightlife
8.8/10
Quality of life
8.2/10
Humid subtropical. Hot humid summers (30°C+), mild winters with occasional snow. Cherry blossom springs.
JAN
7°
22d
FEB
8°
20d
MAR
13°
16d
APR
18°
11d
MAY
24°
5d
JUN
28°
1d
JUL
29°
0d
AUG
28°
1d
SEP
24°
5d
OCT
18°
11d
NOV
13°
16d
DEC
8°
20d
Top: avg daily high °C. Bottom: rainy days that month.
Summer high
29°C
Winter high
7°C
Rain days / year
130days
Nightlife score: 8.8 / 10 — among the highest. Coworking: ¥45,000 / month. Gym: ¥7,000 / month.
Coworking
¥45,000/mo
Hot desk · standard
Gym
¥7,000/mo
Standard chain membership
Highly Skilled Professional Visa (points-based, 70+ points). Specified Skilled Worker. Engineer/Specialist visa via employer sponsorship. Startup Visa in select cities. Japanese language near-essential for most roles.
Healthcare
9.0/10
Public for residents
→ Who this city is for
Family relocation
Safety 9.5/10, healthcare 9.0/10. Strong foundations for a family move.
Party / nightlife seeker
Nightlife 8.8/10. Tokyo earns its reputation after dark.
Remote worker on €50–80k
Internet is strong but costs eat into remote salaries at this rent level.
Finance / high-earner (€120k+)
Tax rate of 33% erodes the salary premium. Better options exist for high earners.
Retiree / lifestyle mover
Climate or cost makes this a harder sell for lifestyle movers without a salary.
Every number in this dispatch, in one place. Verified May 2026. Sources: local cost surveys 2026, ECA International, JNTO, LinkedIn Salary.
Rent · 1BR centre
¥140,000/mo
Rent · 1BR outside
¥90,000/mo
Utilities
¥15,000/mo
Groceries
¥35,000/mo
Transit
¥10,000/mo
Coworking
¥45,000/mo
Gym
¥7,000/mo
Est. total · single
¥202,000/mo
Software engineer
¥6,200,000/yr
Income tax
33%
Move score
¥7.2/10
Safety
9.5/10
Walkability
9.0/10
Quality of life
8.2/10
Healthcare
9.0/10
Expat-friendly
6.5/10
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