Cost of Living: Mongolia vs Japan

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

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Mongolia is 15.4% cheaper than Japan. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 79.7% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $85 in Mongolia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 79.7%

Mongolia is 79.7% cheaper

Property Prices 74.8%

Mongolia is 74.8% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 64.3%

Mongolia is 64.3% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 15.4%

Mongolia is 15.4% cheaper than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Clothing And Shoes +56.8%

Is Mongolia cheaper than Japan?

Yes, Mongolia is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Mongolia are 15.4% lower than in Japan.

Where Mongolia is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 79.7% cheaper
  • Property Prices 74.8% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 64.3% cheaper

Where Mongolia is more expensive:

  • Clothing And Shoes 56.8% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Mongolia: 4.71 $ Japan: 7.01 $
32.8% cheaper in Mongolia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Mongolia: 495.58 $ Japan: 624.64 $
20.7% cheaper in Mongolia

Monthly public transport pass

Mongolia: 7.73 $ Japan: 58.97 $
86.9% cheaper in Mongolia

1 liter of gasoline

Mongolia: 1.02 $ Japan: 1.22 $
16.4% cheaper in Mongolia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Mongolia is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would save approximately 15.4% on living expenses by choosing Mongolia over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

15.4%

Mongolia is 15.4% cheaper than Japan

Restaurants

25.5%

Mongolia is 25.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Markets

54.7%

Mongolia is 54.7% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

57.9%

Mongolia is 57.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

8.1%

Mongolia is 8.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

59.3%

Mongolia is 59.3% cheaper than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

64.3%

Mongolia is 64.3% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

21.2%

Mongolia is 21.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Childcare

51.5%

Mongolia is 51.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

56.8%

Mongolia is 56.8% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

9.0%

Mongolia is 9.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Property Prices

74.8%

Mongolia is 74.8% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

79.7%

Mongolia is 79.7% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Mongolia Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 4.71 $ 7.01 $ 32.8%
Mongolia is 32.8% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 29.43 $ 35.03 $ 16.0%
Mongolia is 16.0% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 5.30 $ 5.61 $ 5.5%
Mongolia is 5.5% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.52 $ 3.36 $ 25.0%
Mongolia is 25.0% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.72 $ 1.12 $ 35.7%
Mongolia is 35.7% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.47 $ 0.82 $ 42.7%
Mongolia is 42.7% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.72 $ 0.94 $ 23.4%
Mongolia is 23.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.20 $ 2.32 $ 5.2%
Mongolia is 5.2% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.28 $ 8.42 $ 72.9%
Mongolia is 72.9% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 7.35 $ 11.20 $ 34.4%
Mongolia is 34.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.33 $ 2.04 $ 14.2%
Mongolia is 14.2% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.41 $ 1.56 $ 9.6%
Mongolia is 9.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.93 $ 1.59 $ 41.5%
Mongolia is 41.5% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.94 $ 4.51 $ 57.0%
Mongolia is 57.0% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.13 $ 2.24 $ 4.9%
Mongolia is 4.9% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.32 $ 12.14 $ 9.7%
Mongolia is 9.7% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.22 $ 6.92 $ 24.6%
Mongolia is 24.6% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 11.43 $ 17.18 $ 33.5%
Mongolia is 33.5% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.92 $ 5.37 $ 45.6%
Mongolia is 45.6% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.56 $ 2.62 $ 2.3%
Mongolia is 2.3% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.79 $ 4.78 $ 20.7%
Mongolia is 20.7% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.64 $ 4.84 $ 45.5%
Mongolia is 45.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.68 $ 2.85 $ 76.1%
Mongolia is 76.1% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.98 $ 2.65 $ 63.0%
Mongolia is 63.0% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.09 $ 1.39 $ 21.6%
Mongolia is 21.6% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 7.73 $ 58.97 $ 86.9%
Mongolia is 86.9% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.77 $ 4.20 $ 57.9%
Mongolia is 57.9% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.15 $ 1.54 $ 90.3%
Mongolia is 90.3% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 0.59 $ 4.20 $ 86.0%
Mongolia is 86.0% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.59 $ 3.15 $ 81.3%
Mongolia is 81.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 5.30 $ 23.82 $ 77.7%
Mongolia is 77.7% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.02 $ 1.22 $ 16.4%
Mongolia is 16.4% cheaper
New Economy Car 21,777.52 $ 23,415.29 $ 7.0%
Mongolia is 7.0% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 16,245.59 $ 17,953.06 $ 9.5%
Mongolia is 9.5% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 72.77 $ 178.92 $ 59.3%
Mongolia is 59.3% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 7.27 $ 27.25 $ 73.3%
Mongolia is 73.3% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 15.16 $ 35.66 $ 57.5%
Mongolia is 57.5% cheaper
Gym Membership 53.95 $ 60.05 $ 10.2%
Mongolia is 10.2% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 12.69 $ 15.69 $ 19.1%
Mongolia is 19.1% cheaper
Movie Ticket 3.53 $ 13.31 $ 73.5%
Mongolia is 73.5% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 176.57 $ 348.57 $ 49.3%
Mongolia is 49.3% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 6,549.48 $ 13,519.03 $ 51.6%
Mongolia is 51.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 74.52 $ 49.02 $ 52.0%
Mongolia is 52.0% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 60.96 $ 32.77 $ 86.0%
Mongolia is 86.0% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 98.75 $ 63.16 $ 56.3%
Mongolia is 56.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 130.59 $ 87.75 $ 48.8%
Mongolia is 48.8% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 495.58 $ 624.64 $ 20.7%
Mongolia is 20.7% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 393.61 $ 424.63 $ 7.3%
Mongolia is 7.3% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,329.16 $ 1,366.33 $ 2.7%
Mongolia is 2.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 731.52 $ 825.90 $ 11.4%
Mongolia is 11.4% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,575.93 $ 6,447.80 $ 75.6%
Mongolia is 75.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 944.71 $ 3,555.73 $ 73.4%
Mongolia is 73.4% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 437.02 $ 2,177.14 $ 79.9%
Mongolia is 79.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.00 1.82 229.7%
Mongolia is 229.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

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

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Mongolia

Japan

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • 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 Mongolia Cost of living in Japan

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