Moving to Hong Kong from Japan
What to Expect
Considering a move from Japan to Hong Kong? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Japan to Hong Kong, you would find that Hong Kong is 87.2% more expensive than Japan overall. A ¥12,124,875 salary in Japan would need to be roughly HK$1,166,175 in Hong Kong to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese and English. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Hong Kong averages 79°F vs 69°F in Tokyo, making it significantly warmer.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Japan and Hong Kong.
What does your salary buy?
¥12,124,875 → HK$1,166,175
To maintain the same standard of living in Hong Kong
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 30.6% more
Groceries
pay 31.6% more
Transportation
pay 53.3% more
Housing
pay 2.8 times more
Childcare
pay 2.6 times more
Entertainment and Sports
pay 99.1% more
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from Japan to Hong Kong.
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Hong Kong compared to Japan.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
Japan performs better than Hong Kong across all safety metrics.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Hong Kong performs significantly better than Japan across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
share of households with internet
Hong Kong generally does better on infrastructure, though Japan leads in electricity per capita.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
share of people below the poverty line
Japan generally does better on employment & economy, though Hong Kong leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
Japan generally does better on family life, though Hong Kong leads in education spending.
Data: National Tax Agency Japan, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Tokyo | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 53°/37°F (12°/3°C) | 68°/61°F (20°/16°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 73°/58°F (23°/14°C) | 83°/75°F (28°/24°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 85°/72°F (30°/22°C) | 88°/80°F (31°/27°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 63°/49°F (17°/9°C) | 76°/68°F (24°/20°C) |
View all months
| Month | Tokyo | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.2°C) | 66°/58°F (18.7°/14.6°C) |
| Feb | 52°/36°F (10.9°/2.1°C) | 67°/60°F (19.4°/15.3°C) |
| Mar | 58°/41°F (14.2°/5.0°C) | 71°/64°F (21.9°/17.6°C) |
| Apr | 67°/50°F (19.4°/9.8°C) | 78°/70°F (25.6°/21.1°C) |
| May | 74°/58°F (23.6°/14.6°C) | 84°/76°F (28.8°/24.5°C) |
| Jun | 79°/65°F (26.1°/18.5°C) | 87°/80°F (30.7°/26.5°C) |
| Jul | 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C) | 89°/80°F (31.6°/26.9°C) |
| Aug | 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C) | 88°/80°F (31.3°/26.7°C) |
| Sep | 82°/69°F (27.5°/20.3°C) | 87°/79°F (30.5°/26.1°C) |
| Oct | 72°/59°F (22.0°/14.8°C) | 83°/75°F (28.1°/23.9°C) |
| Nov | 62°/48°F (16.7°/8.8°C) | 76°/69°F (24.5°/20.3°C) |
| Dec | 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.8°C) | 69°/61°F (20.4°/16.2°C) |
Japan Meteorological Agency
Hong Kong ObservatoryVisitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Japan and Hong Kong. To live, work, or study long-term in Hong Kong, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Hong Kong's immigration authority.
Japan passport holder visiting Hong Kong
Visa Free
Hong Kong passport holder visiting Japan
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Hong Kong than Japan?
On average Hong Kong is around 98% pricier than Japan, with notable variation by city.
How much money do I need to move to Hong Kong?
Budget about HK$291,544 for 3 months in Hong Kong (based on a ¥12,124,875 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Hong Kong?
Connectivity is usually fine (Hong Kong: 39.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Hong Kong offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Hong Kong safe for expats?
Japan performs better than Hong Kong across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Hong Kong is 0.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.2 in Japan.
What's the weather like in Hong Kong compared to Japan?
The average high temperature in Hong Kong is 79°F, compared to 69°F in Tokyo. Hong Kong receives around 95.7 in of rainfall per year, while Tokyo gets 62.9 in.
What language do they speak in Hong Kong?
The official languages in Hong Kong are Chinese and English. In Japan, the official language is Japanese.
