City comparison

London vs Tokyo

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

Overall verdict

Tokyo scores higher overall

Tokyo would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

LondonOverall fitTokyo
48 / 48
LondonSavingsTokyo
43 / 38+5 London
LondonCareerTokyo
81 / 60+21 London
LondonLow pressureTokyo
31 / 66+35 Tokyo

If you want career growth

LondonOverall fitTokyo
63 / 57+6 London
LondonSavingsTokyo
43 / 38+5 London
LondonCareerTokyo
81 / 60+21 London
LondonLow pressureTokyo
31 / 66+35 Tokyo

If you want better balance

LondonOverall fitTokyo
58 / 65+7 Tokyo
LondonSavingsTokyo
43 / 38+5 London
LondonCareerTokyo
81 / 60+21 London
LondonLow pressureTokyo
31 / 66+35 Tokyo

Financial impact: moving from London to Tokyo

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

-$1,074
Monthly
-$12,888
1 year
-$38,664
3 years

Moving from London to Tokyo: trade-offs

You gain

+Less financial pressure — lower rent-to-income ratio means more breathing room

You lose

-$1,074/mo estimated net reduction — $12,888 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city

London

GB
Salary index
68
Cost index
80
Rent pressure
69
Opportunity
88

Tokyo

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

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