Tokyo vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Tokyo is ~25% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Tokyo
Japan
COL+Rent
41.5
Rent Index
22.3
Groceries
61.4
Restaurant
47.4
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Tokyo | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $988 | $1,391 | $403 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $638 | $1,068 | $430 |
| Groceries | $354 | $487 | $133 |
| Restaurant Meal | $10 | $20 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $62 | +$9 |
| Utilities | $202 | $224 | $22 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Tokyo | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,199/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $1,765/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,134/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Tokyo | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,999/mo | +$499 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,665/mo | +$665 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,998/mo | +$998 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Tokyo vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Tokyo is approximately 25% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Tokyo's COL+Rent Index of 41.5 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Tokyo costs $988/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Tokyo a $403/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,836 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Tokyo ($354/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Tokyo's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $10 vs $20 show Tokyo is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Tokyo offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,765 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.