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Tokyo
#71 of 124
Asia

Tokyo

Japan

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Tokyo compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Tokyo is 49% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Tokyo compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$54,517
-$218K (-80%) vs San Francisco
Based on 353 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$41,706
-$131K (-76%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 24%

Community Insights

New

Tokyo offers a distinct lifestyle trade-off for software engineers: accepting a lower salary (roughly 50% of US levels) in exchange for superior safety, convenience, and urban functionality. While the city ranks #77 for net income and buying a home is expensive (#103 affordability rank), the day-to-day cost of living is manageable (#45). The tech scene is bifurcated between modern international companies (better pay/WLB) and traditional domestic firms. It is a haven for those prioritizing peace of mind and cultural immersion over maximizing net worth.

Resident Sentiment

Most transplants report high satisfaction with their daily life, citing the stress-free environment, safety, and food as major retention factors. However, there is a common undercurrent of financial FOMO (fear of missing out) regarding US salaries and frustrations with rigid bureaucracy. Many treat it as a multi-year adventure rather than a permanent settlement unless they marry a local or achieve distinct fluency.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Community Events

Top 4%

#5

of 124 cities

26 events on luma

Current value

Safety Index

Top 11%

#14

of 124 cities

75/100

Current value

Tax Rate

Top 18%

#22

of 124 cities

24%

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Tokyo compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$7,684 / m²
23% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Tokyo to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
53% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Tokyo

Google logo
Google
Indeed logo
Indeed
Woven by Toyota logo
Woven by Toyota
High quality of life relative to cost: Rents for single-person apartments are often considered reasonable compared to SF/NYC/London, with modern amenities.
  • Unmatched safety and cleanliness: Consistently ranked as one of the safest cities globally; clean streets and reliable public infrastructure.
  • World-class food scene: Affordable, high-quality dining options ranging from convenience stores to Michelin-starred restaurants.
  • Efficient public transportation: Trains are famously punctual and extensive, making car ownership unnecessary.
  • Rich cultural experience: Unique blend of modern tech and traditional culture, appealing to those interested in anime, gaming, or history.

    • The Bad

    • Lower compensation compared to the West: Salaries (median ~$54k) are significantly lower than US tech hubs; saving aggressive amounts is harder.
    • Language barrier: Lack of Japanese fluency severely limits job opportunities, social integration, and ability to handle daily bureaucracy (banks, city hall).
    • Work culture issues: Risk of "black companies" (long hours, rigid hierarchy) in domestic firms; "Galapagos syndrome" where tech stacks are outdated.
    • Social isolation: Difficulty penetrating inner social circles; locals can be polite but distant to foreigners.
    • Cramped living spaces: Apartments are typically much smaller (median 80m² purchase requires ~15 years income) than Western standards.
    • Bureaucratic hurdles: Difficulty obtaining credit cards, renting apartments as a foreigner, and endless paperwork.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    Mid-level to senior engineers who are tired of US cost-of-living/safety issues and value urban convenience and safety above all. Ideal for those fascinated by Japanese culture, willing to learn the language, or securing a role at a global tech firm (Gaishishikei) to bypass local work culture norms.

    Skip it if...

    Junior engineers or career maximizers focused on FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) or highest-bracket earnings. Individuals unwilling to learn Japanese will hit a "bamboo ceiling" socially and professionally. Those who need large living spaces or struggle with social isolation may find the dense, reserved culture challenging.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather4.6/10-47% vs San Francisco
    Safety75+90%
    Pollution43-13%
    Events26-49%
    4.6/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    19°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
    Average Low
    13°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
    Sunshine Hours
    1,877h/yr-1185h/yr(-39%)
    Hottest Month High
    30°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
    Coldest Month Low
    3°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
    Rainy Days
    109/yr+61/yr(+125%)

    Community & Quality

    Tokyo community pulse

    Tokyo has 26 Luma events listed.

    49% fewer events than San Francisco.

    Cost of Living

    Middle of the pack

    #46

    of 124 cities

    42/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Pollution Score

    Middle of the pack

    #53

    of 124 cities

    43/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Comfortable Weather

    Middle of the pack

    #55

    of 124 cities

    46/100 weather score

    Current value

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #71

    of 124 cities

    Net Income

    Middle of the pack

    #79

    of 124 cities

    $41,706/yr

    Current value

    Home Affordability

    Bottom 20%

    #100

    of 124 cities

    ≈14.7 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    14.7 years
    10.1 years longer than San Francisco
    Muggy Days
    80/yr+80/yr(+40100%)
    Cloud Cover
    47%(vs 34% in San Francisco)