{"id":18577,"date":"2023-09-06T17:08:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T08:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.villagehouse.jp\/blog\/?p=18577"},"modified":"2025-09-10T08:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T23:52:40","slug":"how-much-should-you-pay-for-your-apartment-a-5-step-guide-to-calculating-your-apartment-rent-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.villagehouse.jp\/blog\/en\/moving-tips\/how-much-should-you-pay-for-your-apartment-a-5-step-guide-to-calculating-your-apartment-rent-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Apartment Rent Should You Pay in Japan? 5 Steps to Calculate Your Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2022, TimeOut Magazine ranked Tokyo as the 5th<\/sup> most expensive city in the world for expats and the 2nd<\/sup> most expensive city in Asia. However, a survey from the ECA (Employment Conditions Abroad) has found that the weakened Yen, high inflation, and negative interest rates have made living in Japan cheaper for employees whose salaries are being paid in other currencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to rent, how much you need to pay is highly dependent on where you choose to live \u2013 in a big metropolis like Tokyo or Osaka; in the countryside; or in a surrounding suburb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on a rather tight budget, Village House<\/a> may prove a suitable choice for you as they specialize in rental properties with low initial costs across all 47 prefectures in Japan.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Average Rent Price<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Japan Guide revealed that the nationwide average monthly rent, excluding utilities and internet, for a 1-room apartment (20 m2<\/sup> ~ 40 m2<\/sup>) can fall anywhere between \u00a550,000 ~ \u00a570,000. Of course, this may be cheaper or more expensive depending on where you are in Japan. For example, in Central Tokyo, apartments between 20 m2<\/sup> and 40 m2<\/sup> in popular wards are more likely to start at around \u00a580,000 to \u00a5100,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilities in Japan vary depending on the size of your household and whether it\u2019s summer or winter. That being said, utilities can average around \u00a56,500 for electricity; \u00a53,000 for gas; and \u00a52,500 for a single individual.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Income<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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According to Salary Explorer, the typical Japanese employee can earn anywhere between \u00a5130,000 to \u00a5515,000 depending on the location of their job, level of work experience, level of education, and type of job.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan\u2019s minimum hourly wage is determined by each region\u2019s Regional Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and as of April 2023, the current national weighted average minimum wage in Japan is \u00a5961. However, on July 28, 2023, a Japanese government panel proposed that the national average minimum wage be raised by \u00a541 an hour to around \u00a51,002. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all this in mind, how much of your salary you should dedicate to rent will depend on the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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