City comparison
San Francisco vs Tokyo
San Francisco scores higher on salary; Tokyo has a lower cost of living. Compare San Francisco and Tokyo on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
San Francisco scores higher overall
Tokyo is a step down on both savings and career opportunity
How they compare
If you want to save more
San FranciscoOverall fitTokyo
65 / 48+17 San
San FranciscoSavingsTokyo
56 / 38+18 San
San FranciscoCareerTokyo
96 / 60+36 San
San FranciscoLow pressureTokyo
60 / 66+6 Tokyo
If you want career growth
San FranciscoOverall fitTokyo
81 / 57+24 San
San FranciscoSavingsTokyo
56 / 38+18 San
San FranciscoCareerTokyo
96 / 60+36 San
San FranciscoLow pressureTokyo
60 / 66+6 Tokyo
If you want better balance
San FranciscoOverall fitTokyo
71 / 65+6 San
San FranciscoSavingsTokyo
56 / 38+18 San
San FranciscoCareerTokyo
96 / 60+36 San
San FranciscoLow pressureTokyo
60 / 66+6 Tokyo
Financial impact: moving from San Francisco to Tokyo
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$2,156
Monthly
-$25,872
1 year
-$77,616
3 years
Moving from San Francisco to Tokyo: trade-offs
You gain
+Better quality of life — Tokyo scores higher on lifestyle and liveability
You lose
−Weaker savings potential — Tokyo is 18 points lower on savings capacity
−-$2,156/mo estimated net reduction — $25,872 over the first year
−Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
San Francisco
USSalary index
100
Cost index
90
Rent pressure
40
Opportunity
94
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Also see: Tokyo vs San Francisco →