Indicative rates as of 27 October 2026
Cost of Living in Tokyo (2026)
Planning a budget for Tokyo? Compare the student and worker estimates below, then adjust for the area and housing you choose.
Student · share house
¥142,000/mo
+ one-time move-in ≈ ¥260,000
Worker · private studio
¥228,000/mo
+ one-time move-in ≈ ¥670,500
Monthly budget in Tokyo
| Expense | Student · shared | Worker · studio |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | ¥65,000 | ¥95,000 |
| Food & groceries | ¥35,000 | ¥45,000 |
| Utilities & internet | ¥12,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Insurance & tax | ¥5,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Leisure & pocket money | ¥25,000 | ¥55,000 |
| Total / month | ¥142,000 | ¥228,000 |
One-time move-in costs
| Item | Student · shared | Worker · studio |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in: first month + deposit & fees | ¥100,000 | ¥405,000 |
| Furniture & appliances | ¥25,000 | ¥105,500 |
| Flight | ¥100,000 | ¥120,000 |
| Visa & paperwork | ¥15,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Setup cash | ¥20,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Total one-time | ¥260,000 | ¥670,500 |
Build your own Tokyo budget
Uses this city and the same living-cost assumptions. Add tuition if needed.
How other cities compare
| Tokyo | ¥142,000/mo | this city |
| Osaka | ¥122,000/mo | -14% |
| Kyoto | ¥118,538/mo | -17% |
| Nagoya | ¥115,500/mo | -19% |
| Fukuoka | ¥112,000/mo | -21% |
| Sapporo | ¥106,400/mo | -25% |
Where to live in Tokyo
Station-by-station guides with real OpenStreetMap place counts and walking times:
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Tokyo as a student?
A single student in a share house spends about ¥142,000 per month in Tokyo in 2026: rent ¥65,000, food ~¥35,000, utilities ~¥12,000, national health insurance ~¥5,000 and leisure ~¥25,000. Tuition is separate.
How much money do I need to move to Tokyo?
Plan roughly ¥260,000 one-time as a student: the first month's rent plus a flat share-house deposit at move-in (¥100,000), basic furniture, flight, visa paperwork and setup cash. A private studio costs more to move into (deposit, key money, agency and guarantor fees). Student-visa applicants also need Immigration's proof-of-funds bank certificate of roughly ¥2,000,000.
How much is rent in Tokyo?
Typical 2026 rents in Tokyo: about ¥65,000/month for a share-house room and about ¥95,000/month for a private studio (1K), before utilities.
Is Tokyo the most expensive city in Japan?
Among major cities, yes — a student month in Tokyo costs about ¥142,000, while regional hubs like Fukuoka or Sapporo run 20–30% cheaper, mostly through rent.
See the full city-by-city table on the Cost of Living in Japan overview. Figures are 2026 estimates from typical advertised rents and standard living costs; actual costs vary by ward, lifestyle and exchange rate. Inputs for Tokyo: ¥65,000 (share house) and ¥95,000 (studio) rent, last updated 2026-10-25; all inputs, formulas and CSV download. Data by yuzu.help — free to cite with a link.
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