Moving to Japan from New Mexico
What to Expect
Considering a move from New Mexico to Japan? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from New Mexico to Japan, you would find that Japan is 25.8% cheaper than New Mexico. A $75,000 salary in New Mexico would need to be roughly ¥8,659,653 in Japan to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Japanese. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.
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 New Mexico and Japan.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → ¥8,659,653
To maintain the same standard of living in Japan
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 57.0% less
Groceries
pay 9.4% less
Transportation
pay 38.0% more
Housing
pay 45.0% less
Childcare
pay 53.6% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 30.0% 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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Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from New Mexico to Japan.
people moved from United States to Japan · OECD (latest data available)
Who's moving to Japan?
Top countries of origin for Japan's foreign-born residents.
- 775,893
- 456,203
- 335,668
- 275,252
- 204,814
-
6.58,340
United States
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Japan compared to New Mexico.
How's the healthcare?
share of adults with obesity
Japan performs significantly better than New Mexico across all health & wellbeing metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
share of households with internet
New Mexico performs better than Japan across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Japan generally does better on employment & economy, though New Mexico leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
Japan performs significantly better than New Mexico across all family life metrics.
Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Santa Fe | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 48°/22°F (9°/-5°C) | 53°/37°F (12°/3°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 73°/43°F (23°/6°C) | 73°/58°F (23°/14°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 82°/53°F (28°/12°C) | 85°/72°F (30°/22°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 54°/28°F (12°/-2°C) | 63°/49°F (17°/9°C) |
View all months
| Month | Santa Fe | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°/19°F (5.9°/-7.4°C) | 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.2°C) |
| Feb | 47°/21°F (8.3°/-6.2°C) | 52°/36°F (10.9°/2.1°C) |
| Mar | 54°/27°F (12.3°/-2.6°C) | 58°/41°F (14.2°/5.0°C) |
| Apr | 63°/33°F (17.4°/0.6°C) | 67°/50°F (19.4°/9.8°C) |
| May | 73°/43°F (22.6°/6.3°C) | 74°/58°F (23.6°/14.6°C) |
| Jun | 83°/52°F (28.3°/11.2°C) | 79°/65°F (26.1°/18.5°C) |
| Jul | 85°/56°F (29.6°/13.4°C) | 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C) |
| Aug | 83°/55°F (28.1°/12.8°C) | 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C) |
| Sep | 77°/48°F (25.1°/9.1°C) | 82°/69°F (27.5°/20.3°C) |
| Oct | 65°/38°F (18.6°/3.1°C) | 72°/59°F (22.0°/14.8°C) |
| Nov | 53°/28°F (11.6°/-2.5°C) | 62°/48°F (16.7°/8.8°C) |
| Dec | 43°/19°F (6.2°/-7.4°C) | 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.8°C) |
National Weather Service
Japan Meteorological AgencyVisitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Japan. To live, work, or study long-term in Japan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Japan's immigration authority.
United States passport holder visiting Japan
Visa Free
Japan passport holder visiting United States
Electronic Travel AuthorisationData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Japan than New Mexico?
On average Japan is about 28% less expensive than New Mexico, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Japan?
Budget about ¥2,164,913 for 3 months in Japan (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Japan?
From major Japan cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in New Mexico and Japan are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in Japan compared to New Mexico?
Japan performs significantly better than New Mexico across all health & wellbeing metrics.
What's the weather like in Japan compared to New Mexico?
The average high temperature in Tokyo is 69°F, compared to 64°F in Santa Fe. Tokyo receives around 62.9 in of rainfall per year, while Santa Fe gets 15.7 in.
What language do they speak in Japan?
The official language in Japan is Japanese. In New Mexico, the official language is English.
