City comparison

Boston vs Tokyo

Boston scores higher on salary; Tokyo has a lower cost of living. Compare Boston and Tokyo on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Boston scores higher overall

Tokyo is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

BostonOverall fitTokyo
66 / 48+18 Boston
BostonSavingsTokyo
60 / 38+22 Boston
BostonCareerTokyo
90 / 60+30 Boston
BostonLow pressureTokyo
59 / 66+7 Tokyo

If you want career growth

BostonOverall fitTokyo
78 / 57+21 Boston
BostonSavingsTokyo
60 / 38+22 Boston
BostonCareerTokyo
90 / 60+30 Boston
BostonLow pressureTokyo
59 / 66+7 Tokyo

If you want better balance

BostonOverall fitTokyo
70 / 65+5 Boston
BostonSavingsTokyo
60 / 38+22 Boston
BostonCareerTokyo
90 / 60+30 Boston
BostonLow pressureTokyo
59 / 66+7 Tokyo

Financial impact: moving from Boston to Tokyo

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$2,389
Monthly
-$28,668
1 year
-$86,004
3 years

Moving from Boston to Tokyo: trade-offs

You gain

+Better quality of life — Tokyo scores higher on lifestyle and liveability

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Tokyo is 22 points lower on savings capacity
-$2,389/mo estimated net reduction — $28,668 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city

Boston

US
Salary index
96
Cost index
80
Rent pressure
41
Opportunity
86

Tokyo

JP
Salary index
46
Cost index
60
Rent pressure
34
Opportunity
68

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