Cost Of Living For a Student in Tokyo 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: JPY
Average monthly spending for students in Tokyo
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Tokyo?
Students in Tokyo spend around 340,000 JPY per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 52,000 JPY or as high as 3.8M JPY. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
How do students spend their money in Tokyo?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
| LOW | $84 13,000 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $540 82,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $6,000 910,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Students in Tokyo typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 82,000 JPY with expenditure ranging from 13,000 JPY to 910,000 JPY. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $12 1,800 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $79 12,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $880 130,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Tokyo ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 12,000 JPY with 1,800 JPY and 130,000 JPY being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $23 3,500 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $150 23,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $1,700 250,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 3,500 JPY to 250,000 JPY in a month on commuting with 23,000 JPY being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $64 9,700 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $420 63,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $4,600 700,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Tokyo is 63,000 JPY. The cost of groceries can range between 9,700 JPY to 700,000 JPY. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $17 2,600 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $110 17,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $1,200 180,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Students in Tokyo allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,600 JPY to 180,000 JPY with 17,000 JPY being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $16 2,400 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $100 16,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $1,200 170,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2,400 JPY to 170,000 JPY with 16,000 JPY being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $61 9,200 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $400 60,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $4,400 660,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 60,000 JPY per month with 9,200 JPY being the minimum spent amount and 660,000 JPY being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $51 7,700 JPY |
| AVERAGE | $330 50,000 JPY |
| HIGH | $3,700 550,000 JPY |
| Per Month |
Affordable living in Tokyo
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Tokyo?
Around 74% of surveyed students think that living in Tokyo is affordable with proper budgeting while 26% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Tokyo
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options61%
Few low-cost options39%
Based on the survey, 61% of the students living in Tokyo have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tokyo
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 620 JPY | 1,200 JPY | 2,100 JPY |
Restaurant meal for one
| 2,200 JPY | 3,300 JPY | 6,500 JPY |
Fine dining meal for one
| 4,200 JPY | 6,200 JPY | 25,000 JPY |
Cappuccino or latte
| 540 JPY | 860 JPY | 1,300 JPY |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 750 JPY | 970 JPY | 1,400 JPY |
Pack of beef
| 910 JPY | 1,400 JPY | 2,700 JPY |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 550 JPY | 660 JPY | 1,300 JPY |
Average car full tank
| 3,100 JPY | 4,200 JPY | 8,400 JPY |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,900 JPY | 3,900 JPY | 5,800 JPY |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 4,100 JPY | 6,100 JPY | 12,000 JPY |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,800 JPY | 12,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY |
Internet and cable
| 3,300 JPY | 6,600 JPY | 8,800 JPY |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,100 JPY | 3,500 JPY | 11,000 JPY |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,400 JPY | 1,800 JPY | 2,800 JPY |
One month gym membership
| 5,100 JPY | 6,400 JPY | 13,000 JPY |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 3,900 JPY | 5,500 JPY | 8,200 JPY |
Woman dress
| 3,800 JPY | 5,200 JPY | 17,000 JPY |
Woman shoes
| 3,300 JPY | 4,500 JPY | 10,000 JPY |
Men's shoes
| 2,900 JPY | 3,600 JPY | 7,100 JPY |
Men suit
| 3,300 JPY | 4,100 JPY | 22,000 JPY |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,700 JPY | 2,300 JPY | 6,800 JPY |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 61,000 JPY | 91,000 JPY | 240,000 JPY |
1-bedroom apartment
| 94,000 JPY | 150,000 JPY | 380,000 JPY |
2-bedroom apartment
| 130,000 JPY | 190,000 JPY | 510,000 JPY |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| $85,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| $110,000 | $180,000 | $660,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| $160,000 | $490,000 | $970,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 62,000 JPY | 77,000 JPY | 100,000 JPY |
Double Bed
| 42,000 JPY | 63,000 JPY | 79,000 JPY |
Single Bed
| 38,000 JPY | 50,000 JPY | 65,000 JPY |
Living Room
| 74,000 JPY | 96,000 JPY | 330,000 JPY |
Dining Table
| 31,000 JPY | 41,000 JPY | 77,000 JPY |
Sofa or Couch
| 42,000 JPY | 58,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 43,000 JPY | 64,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY |
Fridge or Freezer
| 39,000 JPY | 60,000 JPY | 82,000 JPY |
Washing Machine
| 47,000 JPY | 67,000 JPY | 120,000 JPY |
Stove or Cooker
| 44,000 JPY | 57,000 JPY | 78,000 JPY |
Mobile Phone
| 53,000 JPY | 64,000 JPY | 91,000 JPY |
Laptop or Computer
| 60,000 JPY | 73,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Tokyo
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Tokyo
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 61,000 JPY | 91,000 JPY | 240,000 JPY |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 94,000 JPY | 150,000 JPY | 380,000 JPY |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 130,000 JPY | 190,000 JPY | 510,000 JPY |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 160,000 JPY | 260,000 JPY | 720,000 JPY |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 300,000 JPY | 750,000 JPY | 1.5M JPY |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 240,000 JPY | 370,000 JPY | 1M JPY |
House monthly rent cost
| 300,000 JPY | 750,000 JPY | 1.5M JPY |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 370,000 JPY | 910,000 JPY | 1.5M JPY |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Tokyo ranges between 61,000 JPY and 240,000 JPY, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 94,000 JPY to 380,000 JPY. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 130,000 JPY and 510,000 JPY per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 160,000 JPY to 720,000 JPY. The average rent of a townhouse in Tokyo is around 370,000 JPY while house rental costs can be as high as 750,000 JPY per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 370,000 JPY to 1.5M JPY per month.
Apartment and house prices in Tokyo
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| $85,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| $110,000 | $180,000 | $660,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $160,000 | $490,000 | $970,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 83M JPY | 130M JPY | 380M JPY |
Townhouse price
| 110M JPY | 260M JPY | 970M JPY |
House price
| 130M JPY | 790M JPY | 1,100M JPY |
Villa price
| 160M JPY | 880M JPY | 1,300M JPY |
The average price of a studio apartment in Tokyo can range from 13M JPY to 38M JPY depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 16M JPY to 99M JPY. A villa can cost you 880M JPY on average with prices ranging from 160M JPY to 1,300M JPY.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Tokyo will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 55 | x161 monthly income | 292 |
Property prices in Tokyo can be x161 to x292 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x161 multiples of the average monthly salary in Tokyo.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Tokyo is around 38%. This means that people pay 38% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 26% to 50% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,100 JPY | 11,000 JPY | 160,000 JPY |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Tokyo
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Tokyo
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,800 JPY | 12,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY |
Internet and cable cost
| 3,300 JPY | 6,600 JPY | 8,800 JPY |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,100 JPY | 3,500 JPY | 11,000 JPY |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 12,000 JPY. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 3,300 JPY to 8,800 JPY with 6,600 JPY being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,500 JPY but can range between 2,100 JPY and 11,000 JPY depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Tokyo is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes72%
No28%
Based on the survey, 28% of the students living in Tokyo said that they don't have an emergency fund while 72% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy69%
We asked student guardians and parents in Tokyo whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 31% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 69% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 28% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 72% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance28%
Easily manages finances72%
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Tokyo
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tokyo
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 620 JPY | 1,200 JPY | 2,100 JPY |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Tokyo is approximatly 1,200 JPY with meal cost ranging from 620 JPY to 2,100 JPY. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 2,200 JPY | 3,300 JPY | 6,500 JPY |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 2,200 JPY and 6,500 JPY with 3,300 JPY being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Tokyo.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 4,200 JPY | 6,200 JPY | 25,000 JPY |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 4,200 JPY to 25,000 JPY with the average cost being 6,200 JPY for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Tokyo.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 540 JPY | 860 JPY | 1,300 JPY |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Tokyo is around 860 JPY. Price ranges between 540 JPY and 1,300 JPY depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Tokyo is 520 JPY. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 650 JPY and the minimum being 440 JPY depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 410 JPY on average with 310 JPY and 620 JPY being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 750 JPY | 970 JPY | 1,400 JPY |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Tokyo is between 750 JPY and 1,400 JPY depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 970 JPY.
Pack of beef price
| 910 JPY | 1,400 JPY | 2,700 JPY |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,400 JPY. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Tokyo costs around 450 JPY on average with prices rangeing between 330 JPY and 640 JPY depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 130 JPY to 310 JPY. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 300 JPY on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 9,700 JPY to 700,000 JPY with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Published: March 12, 2024 Last Update: April 6, 2025
