Cost of Living: Japan vs Romania

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

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Japan is 49.0% more expensive than Romania. The biggest difference is in Mobile and Internet, where costs are 254.4% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Romania, you would spend about $149 in Japan for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Mobile and Internet 254.4%

Japan is 254.4% more expensive

Property Prices 133.1%

Japan is 133.1% more expensive

Salaries And Financing 108.4%

Japan is 108.4% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 49.0%

Japan is 49.0% more expensive than Romania

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +254.4%
  • Property Prices +133.1%
  • Salaries And Financing +108.4%

Is Japan cheaper than Romania?

No, Romania is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Romania are 49.0% lower than in Japan.

Where Romania is cheaper:

  • Mobile and Internet 254.4% cheaper
  • Property Prices 133.1% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 108.4% cheaper

Where Romania is more expensive:

  • Other Expenses 30.8% more expensive
  • Transportation 23.9% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 17.1% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Japan: 7.01 $ Romania: 11.23 $
37.6% cheaper in Japan

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Japan: 624.64 $ Romania: 484.71 $
28.9% more expensive in Japan

Monthly public transport pass

Japan: 58.97 $ Romania: 22.46 $
162.6% more expensive in Japan

1 liter of gasoline

Japan: 1.22 $ Romania: 1.58 $
22.8% cheaper in Japan

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Romania is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would spend approximately 49.0% on living expenses by choosing Romania over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

49.0%

Japan is 49.0% more expensive than Romania

Restaurants

11.5%

Japan is 11.5% cheaper than Romania in this category

Markets

99.7%

Japan is 99.7% more expensive than Romania in this category

Other Expenses

30.8%

Japan is 30.8% cheaper than Romania in this category

Transportation

23.9%

Japan is 23.9% cheaper than Romania in this category

Household Utilities

12.9%

Japan is 12.9% more expensive than Romania in this category

Mobile and Internet

254.4%

Japan is 254.4% more expensive than Romania in this category

Sports And Leisure

25.5%

Japan is 25.5% more expensive than Romania in this category

Childcare

35.4%

Japan is 35.4% more expensive than Romania in this category

Clothing And Shoes

17.1%

Japan is 17.1% cheaper than Romania in this category

Rent Per Month

43.0%

Japan is 43.0% more expensive than Romania in this category

Property Prices

133.1%

Japan is 133.1% more expensive than Romania in this category

Salaries And Financing

108.4%

Japan is 108.4% more expensive than Romania in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Japan Romania Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 7.01 $ 11.23 $ 37.6%
Japan is 37.6% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 35.03 $ 49.42 $ 29.1%
Japan is 29.1% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 5.61 $ 7.86 $ 28.6%
Japan is 28.6% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 3.36 $ 2.82 $ 19.1%
Japan is 19.1% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.12 $ 1.98 $ 43.4%
Japan is 43.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.82 $ 1.81 $ 54.7%
Japan is 54.7% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.94 $ 0.83 $ 13.3%
Japan is 13.3% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 2.32 $ 1.63 $ 42.3%
Japan is 42.3% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 8.42 $ 2.39 $ 252.3%
Japan is 252.3% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 11.20 $ 6.83 $ 64.0%
Japan is 64.0% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.04 $ 1.23 $ 65.9%
Japan is 65.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.56 $ 1.56 $ 0.0%
Japan is 0.0% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.59 $ 1.22 $ 30.3%
Japan is 30.3% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 4.51 $ 1.73 $ 160.7%
Japan is 160.7% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 2.24 $ 3.22 $ 30.4%
Japan is 30.4% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 12.14 $ 8.76 $ 38.6%
Japan is 38.6% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 6.92 $ 6.63 $ 4.4%
Japan is 4.4% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 17.18 $ 9.97 $ 72.3%
Japan is 72.3% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 5.37 $ 1.16 $ 362.9%
Japan is 362.9% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.62 $ 1.61 $ 62.7%
Japan is 62.7% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 4.78 $ 1.58 $ 202.5%
Japan is 202.5% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.84 $ 2.17 $ 123.0%
Japan is 123.0% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 2.85 $ 0.92 $ 209.8%
Japan is 209.8% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.65 $ 0.98 $ 170.4%
Japan is 170.4% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 1.39 $ 0.93 $ 49.5%
Japan is 49.5% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 58.97 $ 22.46 $ 162.6%
Japan is 162.6% more expensive
Cigarettes (20 pack) 4.20 $ 6.07 $ 30.8%
Japan is 30.8% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.54 $ 0.79 $ 94.9%
Japan is 94.9% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 4.20 $ 0.90 $ 366.7%
Japan is 366.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 3.15 $ 0.79 $ 298.7%
Japan is 298.7% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 23.82 $ 7.51 $ 217.2%
Japan is 217.2% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.22 $ 1.58 $ 22.8%
Japan is 22.8% cheaper
New Economy Car 23,415.29 $ 27,618.06 $ 15.2%
Japan is 15.2% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 17,953.06 $ 26,745.83 $ 32.9%
Japan is 32.9% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 178.92 $ 158.44 $ 12.9%
Japan is 12.9% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.25 $ 8.13 $ 235.2%
Japan is 235.2% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 35.66 $ 9.62 $ 270.7%
Japan is 270.7% more expensive
Gym Membership 60.05 $ 43.53 $ 38.0%
Japan is 38.0% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 15.69 $ 19.56 $ 19.8%
Japan is 19.8% cheaper
Movie Ticket 13.31 $ 7.86 $ 69.3%
Japan is 69.3% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 348.57 $ 487.43 $ 28.5%
Japan is 28.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 13,519.03 $ 9,752.84 $ 38.6%
Japan is 38.6% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 49.02 $ 67.78 $ 27.7%
Japan is 27.7% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 32.77 $ 40.43 $ 18.9%
Japan is 18.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 63.16 $ 81.27 $ 22.3%
Japan is 22.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 87.75 $ 91.33 $ 3.9%
Japan is 3.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 624.64 $ 484.71 $ 28.9%
Japan is 28.9% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 424.63 $ 355.56 $ 19.4%
Japan is 19.4% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,366.33 $ 829.63 $ 64.7%
Japan is 64.7% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 825.90 $ 596.62 $ 38.4%
Japan is 38.4% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 6,447.80 $ 2,518.41 $ 156.0%
Japan is 156.0% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 3,555.73 $ 1,773.79 $ 100.5%
Japan is 100.5% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,177.14 $ 1,038.85 $ 109.6%
Japan is 109.6% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 1.82 6.83 73.4%
Japan is 73.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Romania. Enter your monthly expenses in Japan 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 Japan and Romania 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 Japan vs Romania

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Japan

Romania

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

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

Explore more

Cost of living in Japan Cost of living in Romania

Related comparisons