Living in Tokyo
What it really costs to live in Tokyo, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Japan, updated 2026. As Japan's capital, Tokyo commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Tokyo lies in Eastern Asia. The main language is Japanese. The currency is the yen.
Cost of Living in Tokyo
Full Monthly Breakdown for Tokyo
How Tokyo Compares to Other Japan Cities
Tokyo is not the only option in Japan. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€1 930) stacks up against the other cities we track — Fukuoka is the cheapest, Tokyo the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | €1 250/mo | -35% vs Tokyo |
| Osaka | €1 500/mo | -22% vs Tokyo |
What You Can Earn in Japan
Typical gross annual salaries in Japan by sector (entry · median · senior). Tokyo pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €28 000 | €42 000 | €62 000 |
| retail | €18 000 | €26 000 | €36 500 |
| finance | €42 000 | €60 000 | €84 000 |
| education | €29 500 | €42 000 | €59 000 |
| healthcare | €25 000 | €35 000 | €48 000 |
| engineering | €38 500 | €55 000 | €77 000 |
| hospitality | €19 500 | €28 000 | €39 000 |
| construction | €31 500 | €45 000 | €63 000 |
Living in Tokyo: Safety, Health & Climate
Tokyo shares Japan's wider quality-of-life profile. Tokyo has a temperate climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Japan
Affording Tokyo is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Japan. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~5 years.
- Investment route from about €176 471 (USD).
Taxes in Japan
Top marginal rate 45%, VAT 10%. Special regime — Requires legal source verification
Settling into Tokyo
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Japan.
- Budget around €2 800 for first-month setup in Tokyo.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Architecture, Engineering, Psychology.
Get Your Japan Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Japan.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentTokyo FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Tokyo?
A single person in central Tokyo should budget about €1 930/month, roughly €1 640 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €3 800/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Japan?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Japan visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Japan Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries