Dubai vs Tokyo: cost of living for digital nomads
Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Tokyo, Japan, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Tokyo is about 11% cheaper than Dubai for a month of nomad living ($2,800 vs $3,150).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,300 in Tokyo against $1,750 in Dubai.
- Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 9/10).
- Internet is faster in Dubai: 250 Mbps typical against 230 Mbps.
- Dubai is arid; Tokyo is temperate.
Dubai wins 3 of the measured lines; Tokyo wins 4.
| Line | Dubai | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,150 | $2,800 |
| Rent | $1,750 | $1,300 |
| Food | $650 | $650 |
| Transport | $90 | $120 |
| Coworking | $220 | $200 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 230 |
| Climate | arid | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.