Cost of Living: Cyprus vs Japan

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Cyprus and Japan.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Cyprus is 59.0% more expensive than Japan. The biggest difference is in Rent Per Month, where costs are 66.5% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $159 in Cyprus for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Rent Per Month 66.5%

Cyprus is 66.5% more expensive

Restaurants 60.6%

Cyprus is 60.6% more expensive

Clothing And Shoes 58.3%

Cyprus is 58.3% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 59.0%

Cyprus is 59.0% more expensive than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Rent Per Month +66.5%
  • Restaurants +60.6%
  • Clothing And Shoes +58.3%

Is Cyprus cheaper than Japan?

No, Japan is cheaper than Cyprus

Overall, living costs in Japan are 59.0% lower than in Cyprus.

Where Japan is cheaper:

  • Rent Per Month 66.5% cheaper
  • Restaurants 60.6% cheaper
  • Clothing And Shoes 58.3% cheaper

Where Japan is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 38.9% more expensive
  • Childcare 36.0% more expensive
  • Salaries And Financing 16.2% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Cyprus: 17.07 $ Japan: 7.01 $
143.5% more expensive in Cyprus

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Cyprus: 1,045.90 $ Japan: 624.64 $
67.4% more expensive in Cyprus

1 liter of milk

Cyprus: 1.83 $ Japan: 1.56 $
17.3% more expensive in Cyprus

1 liter of gasoline

Cyprus: 1.59 $ Japan: 1.22 $
30.3% more expensive in Cyprus

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Japan is indeed cheaper than Cyprus. You would spend approximately 59.0% on living expenses by choosing Japan over Cyprus. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

59.0%

Cyprus is 59.0% more expensive than Japan

Restaurants

60.6%

Cyprus is 60.6% more expensive than Japan in this category

Markets

8.2%

Cyprus is 8.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

35.5%

Cyprus is 35.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Transportation

46.7%

Cyprus is 46.7% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

19.3%

Cyprus is 19.3% more expensive than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

7.6%

Cyprus is 7.6% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

31.8%

Cyprus is 31.8% more expensive than Japan in this category

Childcare

36.0%

Cyprus is 36.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

58.3%

Cyprus is 58.3% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

66.5%

Cyprus is 66.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Property Prices

38.9%

Cyprus is 38.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

16.2%

Cyprus is 16.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Cyprus Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.07 $ 7.01 $ 143.5%
Cyprus is 143.5% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 68.30 $ 35.03 $ 95.0%
Cyprus is 95.0% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 9.11 $ 5.61 $ 62.4%
Cyprus is 62.4% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.95 $ 3.36 $ 17.6%
Cyprus is 17.6% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.00 $ 1.12 $ 78.6%
Cyprus is 78.6% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.07 $ 0.82 $ 30.5%
Cyprus is 30.5% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.08 $ 0.94 $ 14.9%
Cyprus is 14.9% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 8.39 $ 2.32 $ 261.6%
Cyprus is 261.6% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.33 $ 8.42 $ 72.3%
Cyprus is 72.3% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 9.92 $ 11.20 $ 11.4%
Cyprus is 11.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.87 $ 2.04 $ 8.3%
Cyprus is 8.3% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.83 $ 1.56 $ 17.3%
Cyprus is 17.3% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.94 $ 1.59 $ 22.0%
Cyprus is 22.0% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.88 $ 4.51 $ 36.1%
Cyprus is 36.1% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 4.18 $ 2.24 $ 86.6%
Cyprus is 86.6% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.48 $ 12.14 $ 11.0%
Cyprus is 11.0% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 9.17 $ 6.92 $ 32.5%
Cyprus is 32.5% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 14.03 $ 17.18 $ 18.3%
Cyprus is 18.3% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.00 $ 5.37 $ 44.1%
Cyprus is 44.1% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.07 $ 2.62 $ 21.0%
Cyprus is 21.0% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.31 $ 4.78 $ 51.7%
Cyprus is 51.7% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.15 $ 4.84 $ 34.9%
Cyprus is 34.9% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.58 $ 2.85 $ 44.6%
Cyprus is 44.6% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.50 $ 2.65 $ 43.4%
Cyprus is 43.4% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.88 $ 1.39 $ 36.7%
Cyprus is 36.7% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 56.92 $ 58.97 $ 3.5%
Cyprus is 3.5% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 5.69 $ 4.20 $ 35.5%
Cyprus is 35.5% more expensive
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.28 $ 1.54 $ 48.1%
Cyprus is 48.1% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 5.92 $ 4.20 $ 41.0%
Cyprus is 41.0% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.25 $ 3.15 $ 28.6%
Cyprus is 28.6% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 34.15 $ 23.82 $ 43.4%
Cyprus is 43.4% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.59 $ 1.22 $ 30.3%
Cyprus is 30.3% more expensive
New Economy Car 28,458.15 $ 23,415.29 $ 21.5%
Cyprus is 21.5% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 32,221.74 $ 17,953.06 $ 79.5%
Cyprus is 79.5% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 213.41 $ 178.92 $ 19.3%
Cyprus is 19.3% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 23.12 $ 27.25 $ 15.2%
Cyprus is 15.2% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 35.01 $ 35.66 $ 1.8%
Cyprus is 1.8% cheaper
Gym Membership 74.04 $ 60.05 $ 23.3%
Cyprus is 23.3% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 31.97 $ 15.69 $ 103.8%
Cyprus is 103.8% more expensive
Movie Ticket 11.38 $ 13.31 $ 14.5%
Cyprus is 14.5% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 490.33 $ 348.57 $ 40.7%
Cyprus is 40.7% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 8,389.83 $ 13,519.03 $ 37.9%
Cyprus is 37.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 91.67 $ 49.02 $ 87.0%
Cyprus is 87.0% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 52.88 $ 32.77 $ 61.4%
Cyprus is 61.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 102.03 $ 63.16 $ 61.5%
Cyprus is 61.5% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 121.82 $ 87.75 $ 38.8%
Cyprus is 38.8% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,045.90 $ 624.64 $ 67.4%
Cyprus is 67.4% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 823.37 $ 424.63 $ 93.9%
Cyprus is 93.9% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,951.00 $ 1,366.33 $ 42.8%
Cyprus is 42.8% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,577.20 $ 825.90 $ 91.0%
Cyprus is 91.0% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 3,462.51 $ 6,447.80 $ 46.3%
Cyprus is 46.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 2,653.90 $ 3,555.73 $ 25.4%
Cyprus is 25.4% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 1,821.17 $ 2,177.14 $ 16.4%
Cyprus is 16.4% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.40 1.82 141.8%
Cyprus is 141.8% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. Enter your monthly expenses in Cyprus to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Cyprus and Japan goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Cyprus vs Japan

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Cyprus

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.
  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Japan

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.