🇯🇵 Japan · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Yokohama? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, Minato Mirai or MotomachiJPY 110,000–160,000 / month
One-bed flat, Kōhoku, Tsurumi or the inland wardsJPY 65,000–95,000 / month
Utilities and internet, one personJPY 13,000–20,000 / month
Groceries, one personJPY 35,000–50,000 / month
Commuter pass into central TokyoJPY 12,000–20,000 / month, normally reimbursed by employers
Good to know
Population
≈3.7 million — Japan's most populous municipality after the Tokyo special wards, in 18 wards
Languages
Japanese. English support is better than most Japanese cities of comparable size, a legacy of the treaty port and the international community
Currency
Japanese yen (JPY)
Time zone
JST (GMT+9) — Japan does not observe daylight saving
Power plug
Type A and B, 100 V, 50 Hz in eastern Japan against 60 Hz in the west
Climate
Humid subtropical, moderated by the bay — hot humid summers, mild winters, a June rainy season and a September typhoon season
Driving side
Left
Commute
25–35 minutes to Shibuya, Shinagawa or Tokyo Station depending entirely on which line you live on
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Yokohama checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Yokohama
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.