Moving to Taiwan from Japan
What to Expect
Considering a move from Japan to Taiwan? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Japan to Taiwan, you would find that Taiwan is 2.5% more expensive than Japan overall. A ¥11,948,175 salary in Japan would need to be roughly NT$2,549,122 in Taiwan to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Japan and Taiwan.
What does your salary buy?
¥11,948,175 → NT$2,549,122
To maintain the same standard of living in Taiwan
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 11.5% less
Groceries
pay 16.1% more
Transportation
pay 15.4% less
Housing
pay 32.2% less
Childcare
pay 50.8% more
Entertainment and Sports
pay 12.9% less
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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Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Taiwan compared to Japan.
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
Taiwan generally does better on employment & economy, though Japan leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
Japan performs better than Taiwan across all family life metrics.
Data: National Tax Agency Japan, The World Factbook
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Japan and Taiwan. To live, work, or study long-term in Taiwan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Taiwan's immigration authority.
Japan passport holder visiting Taiwan
Visa Free
Taiwan 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 Taiwan than Japan?
On average Taiwan is around 8% pricier than Japan, with notable variation by city.
How much money do I need to move to Taiwan?
Budget about NT$637,280 for 3 months in Taiwan (based on a ¥11,948,175 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, rental deposit, visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Taiwan?
From major Taiwan cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Japan and Taiwan are what actually decide it long-term.
What language do they speak in Taiwan?
The official language in Taiwan is Chinese. In Japan, the official language is Japanese.
