United Kingdom vs Japan — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
United Kingdom has a cost of living index of 87.0 with average 1BR rent around $1,750/mo, while Japan sits at 66.0 with rent near $920/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | United Kingdom | Japan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 5.20% | 1.40% | Japan |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 4.80% | 0.30% | United Kingdom |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 24.5% | 14.5% | Japan |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$1,750/mo | US$920/mo | Japan |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$8,200/m² | US$9,100/m² | United Kingdom |
Summary
United Kingdom has a higher mortgage rate than Japan at 5.20% vs 1.40%. Rental costs in United Kingdom average $1,750/month compared to $920 in Japan, while the cost of living index sits at 87.0 versus 66.0. Overall, Japan looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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