New York vs Tokyo: cost of living for digital nomads
New York, United States 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 38% cheaper than New York for a month of nomad living ($2,800 vs $4,530).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,300 in Tokyo against $2,600 in New York.
- Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in New York: 250 Mbps typical against 230 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
New York wins 1 of the measured lines; Tokyo wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, New York or Tokyo?
Tokyo is cheaper: about $2,800/month against $4,530/month in New York, roughly 38% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, New York or Tokyo?
Tokyo scores higher on safety: 10/10 against 6/10 for New York.
Which has faster internet, New York or Tokyo?
New York has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 230 Mbps in Tokyo.
| Line | New York | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $4,530 | $2,800 |
| Rent | $2,600 | $1,300 |
| Food | $800 | $650 |
| Transport | $130 | $120 |
| Coworking | $300 | $200 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 230 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): New York September 11, 2026, Tokyo October 31, 2026.