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Zama · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Japan · Asia

Cost of Living in Zama, Japan
2026 Expat Guide

affordable 46% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Cost of living in Zama (Japan): index 47.5 on the NYC=100 scale, putting it in the affordable category. Central 1BR rent: ~$340/month. Affordable meal: ~$10.

With a population of 132,000, Zama is a smaller city in Japan.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇯🇵 Japan Pop. 132k Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$340*
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$4,624*
net/month
Cheap Meal
N/A
restaurant
Groceries
N/A
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Zama 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
N/A
Monthly Groceries
N/A
Monthly Transport
N/A
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$340*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$235*Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant MealN/APer person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly GroceriesN/ASingle person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly TransportN/ATransit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
7%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Japan

Avg net salary
$4,624
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$294
Internet speed
97 Mbps
Safety index
9.3
HDI
0.920
Life expectancy
86.8 yrs
Purchasing power
30.3

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$340*Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$235*Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$294Japan (national)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant mealN/APer person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)N/A3-course
Monthly groceries (single)N/ASingle person estimate
Country food basketN/AJapan (national avg)

* country-level average used as proxy (per-city sample not yet collected)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit passN/APublic transport avg.

City Insight

In Zama, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($340/mo) absorbs approximately 7% of the average net salary ($4,624/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for Japan
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in Japan for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Zama · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

Monthly Budget Calculator

Estimate your personal monthly spend in Zama.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zama cost of living

Is Zama good for digital nomads on a budget?
Zama is one of the more affordable cities for digital nomads, with a CoL Index of 47.5 (roughly 52% below New York City). A comfortable remote-work lifestyle — including a private apartment, fast internet, and regular dining out — typically costs $475–$665/month, making it highly competitive on a USD or EUR income.
What is the cheapest area to live in Zama?
Outside the city centre, a 1-bedroom apartment in Zama averages $235/month, compared to $340/month in central areas. Outer districts and emerging neighbourhoods can be even cheaper — local expat forums are the best source for current listings.
How does Zama compare to other affordable cities?
With a CoL Index of 47.5, Zama sits comfortably in the affordable tier (below 60 on the NYC=100 scale). It compares favourably with similar budget destinations in the region, offering a good balance of infrastructure and low cost that appeals to long-stay travellers and expats alike.
How does Zama compare to New York City for cost of living?
Zama is approximately 52% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 47.5 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 85% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Zama?
The average net monthly salary in Zama is approximately $4,624, equivalent to around $55,490/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Zama

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Similar cost cities are computed from the CoL Index.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.