Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Since spending over a year in Japan, I find myself in a unique situation when it comes to housing and cost of living. While I earn in Euros, my expenses, including groceries, utility costs, pension and insurance premiums, and municipality taxes, are all in Japanese Yen. I’m fortunate to live in a rural area of Japan with no rent or mortgage, courtesy of my wife’s generous family who own several lands and properties.

Today, I delve into a comparison of how Japan and Switzerland measure up in terms of housing and cost of living.

Housing

Switzerland

• Cost: Housing in Switzerland, particularly in major cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, is notably expensive due to high demand, leading to steep rental and property prices.
• Availability: There’s a shortage of affordable housing in urban areas, making it challenging for many residents to find suitable accommodations.
• Quality: Swiss housing is generally of high quality, with well-maintained buildings and strict construction standards.

Japan

• Cost: Housing costs in Japan vary greatly. While Tokyo and other major cities can be very expensive, housing outside of urban centers can be relatively affordable.
• Availability: In contrast to Switzerland, Japan has a more balanced housing market, with better availability of affordable housing, particularly in suburban and rural areas.
• Quality: Housing quality in Japan varies, with smaller urban apartments due to space constraints and larger, albeit older, houses in rural areas.

Cost of Living

Switzerland

• General Costs: Switzerland consistently ranks among the most expensive countries, driven by costly housing, food, healthcare, and services.
• Salaries and Purchasing Power: High salaries in Switzerland somewhat offset the high cost of living, but overall expenses remain substantial.

Japan

• General Costs: Japan also has a high cost of living, especially in Tokyo, but outside major urban centers, the cost of living can be significantly lower.
• Salaries and Purchasing Power: While salaries in Japan are generally lower than in Switzerland, the cost of living outside major cities can lead to a more affordable lifestyle.

Specific Comparisons

1. Rent
   • Switzerland: Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around CHF 2,000-3,500 per month. Prices drop outside the city center to around CHF 1,500-2,500.
   • Japan: In Tokyo, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around JPY 150,000-300,000 per month (approximately CHF 1,200-2,400). Rents outside Tokyo or in less central areas can drop significantly to around JPY 50,000-150,000 (CHF 400-1,200).
2. Utilities and Groceries
   • Switzerland: Monthly utilities for a small apartment can be around CHF 150-250, and groceries for one person can easily exceed CHF 400-600 per month.
   • Japan: Utilities for a small apartment are relatively cheaper, around JPY 10,000-20,000 per month (CHF 80-160), and monthly groceries for one person can cost around JPY 30,000-50,000 (CHF 240-400).
3. Dining and Transportation
   • Switzerland: Dining out is costly, with an average meal at a mid-range restaurant costing about CHF 20-40. Public transportation is efficient but pricey.
   • Japan: Dining out can be more affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing about JPY 1,000-3,000 (CHF 8-24). Public transportation in Japan, particularly in cities like Tokyo, is extensive and relatively affordable.

Summary

• Housing: Both countries have expensive housing markets in major cities, but Japan offers more affordable options outside urban centers.
• Cost of Living: Switzerland generally has a higher cost of living overall, but this is balanced by higher average salaries. Japan’s cost of living can vary greatly depending on the region, with urban centers being costly but other areas more affordable.
• Quality and Availability: Swiss housing is typically of high quality with a shortage of affordable options in cities. Japanese housing quality varies more widely, with better availability of affordable housing outside major cities.