This article compares the cost of living between Japan and America, examining factors such as housing, food, transportation and healthcare costs. On average, goods and services in Japan are 44% more expensive than they are in America. Rent prices are 77% higher in Tokyo than they are in New York City, while an inexpensive meal is 27% more expensive in Tokyo. Public transportation fares tend to be much higher than those found within American cities, while gas prices tend to be higher too. Private insurance plans offered by Japanese providers typically cover up to 70% of medical expenses whereas American plans could cover up 90%. Education costs also vary greatly between these two nations; private universities can be quite expensive with some schools charging upwards of ¥20 million ($185K USD) per year. Taxes (which generally tend to be higher within Japanese cities), utility bills, entertainment expenses and leisure activities should also be taken into consideration when comparing the cost of living between these two countries.