Cost of Living in Sapporo, Japan

Are you considering a move to Sapporo, Japan, and wondering about the cost of living? Sapporo is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Sapporo and help you understand whether $2121 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $1527.49.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Sapporo, Japan
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

9.53 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

34.02 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

5.44 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.38 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

4.08 $

Cappuccino (regular)

3.47 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.84 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.0 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.26 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.29 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

8.51 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.59 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

8.51 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

7.14 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

20.41 $

Apples (1 lb)

3.4 $

Banana (1 lb)

2.31 $

Oranges (1 lb)

4.08 $

Tomato (1 lb)

3.4 $

Potato (1 lb)

3.4 $

Onion (1 lb)

2.21 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.19 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.77 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

6.8 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.04 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.4 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

3.03 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

1.5 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

34.02 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

5.1 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.52 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

20.41 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.13 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

28487.16 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

16784.07 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

345.91 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

42.53 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

54.44 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

11.23 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

12.25 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

270.82 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

10478.99 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

43.1 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

31.73 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

54.44 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

124.75 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

476.32 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

249.5 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

731.49 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

544.36 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2608.41 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1882.59 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

1527.49 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

1.76 %

Cost of Living in Sapporo, Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Sapporo?

The monthly expenses for living in Sapporo come to a total of approximately $2121. This includes an average monthly rent of around $476 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $367 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $865 per month.

How affordable is living in Sapporo?

Living in Sapporo appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $1527.49. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Sapporo, you would likely need an income exceeding $1527.49.

What is the average salary in Sapporo?

In Sapporo, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $1527.49, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Sapporo?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Sapporo is approximately $476. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $249.5 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Sapporo?

The expense for groceries in Sapporo can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $681 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Japan?

The cost of living in Japan can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Japan.

Sapporo, Japan

How Safe Is Sapporo, Japan for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Sapporo, Japan

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Sapporo is definitely considered one of the safest cities in the world, according to the safety score which is above 90. Travelers would feel safe there and can enjoy their journey.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

In the majority of cases, nothing bad happened on public transport in Sapporo, even though many people travel by it. You just need to be vigilant and watchful of your belongings so as not to be robbed there.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

You should keep purses and packages close to your arms and body, being that pickpockets operate on crowded streets and in front of landmarks. You have to be aware of people around you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

Earthquakes can have a huge impact on towns and cities in Japan, as well as tsunamis and volcanoes. In case of emergency, you should follow the advice of the authorities and act accordingly.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Some travelers have reported extortion and robbery but this is not something that happens frequently in Sapporo. Most travelers spend their holidays without experiencing any kind of threat.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Japan is not a country prone to terrorist attacks and being that there is a global risk of terrorist attacks in those frequented by foreigners, you should remain watchful all the time.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Even though there have been reports of foreign nationals being targeted for drink-spiking followed by sexual assault in clubs and bars, these occurrences are quite rare in Sapporo.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There were instanced of female passengers on commuter trains being touched or offended, but this is not common. The majority of females feel fully free while in Sapporo.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

People who come as tourists for a stay less than 90 days do not have to get a visa, but just a valid passport as well as a return ticket.

currency_exchange

Currency

Exchanging of the money into yens should be done in licensed exchange offices, and you have to have in mind that credit and other cash cards are not widely accepted.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Sapporo has a humid continental climate characterized by summers which are generally warm while winters are cold and very snowy so it makes the city able to hold festivals with snow statues.

flight_takeoff

Airports

If you want to fly to Sapporo, you can do it via the New Chitose Airport, an international airport which is located in Hokkaidō, Japan but serves the Sapporo metropolitan area.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

No matter how healthy you are, you cannot know what might happen to you abroad. So, it is a wise decision to take travel insurance which will cover expensive medical services in Japan.

Sapporo, Japan

What about weather in Sapporo, Japan ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 28°F 30°F 37°F 51°F 63°F 69°F 75°F 77°F 71°F 59°F 45°F 33°F
Temp 20°F 21°F 29°F 42°F 52°F 60°F 67°F 70°F 62°F 49°F 37°F 25°F
Low 11°F 13°F 22°F 34°F 44°F 53°F 61°F 63°F 54°F 41°F 29°F 17°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High -2°C -1°C 2°C 10°C 17°C 20°C 23°C 25°C 21°C 15°C 7°C 0°C
Temp -6°C -6°C -1°C 5°C 11°C 15°C 19°C 21°C 16°C 9°C 2°C -3°C
Low -11°C -10°C -5°C 1°C 6°C 11°C 16°C 17°C 12°C 5°C -1°C -8°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Japan with Sapporo

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries