Cost of Living Comparison Between Niigata and Somerset, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Niigata and Somerset, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,122 in Niigata versus $4,081 in Somerset, NJ.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,852 in Niigata versus $4,747 in Somerset, NJ.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,581 in Niigata versus $5,413 in Somerset, NJ.

Living in Niigata costs roughly 73% less than in Somerset, NJ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Niigata is 16% below, Somerset, NJ is 205% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.65 ¥904

$19.76 $19.76

-71.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.78 ¥7,804

$78.5 $78.5

-37.86%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.49 ¥878

$12.32 $12.32

-55.44%

Cappuccino

$2.06 ¥330

$5.08 $5.08

-59.45%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.21 ¥193

$2.51 $2.51

-51.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 ¥126

$2.68 $2.68

-70.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.82 ¥451

$7.97 $7.97

-64.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 ¥551

$9.92 $9.92

-65.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 ¥210

$1.14 $1.14

14.91%

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 ¥192

$4.15 $4.15

-71.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.35 ¥536

$8.23 $8.23

-59.30%

Eggs

$2.42 ¥387

$4.35 $4.35

-44.37%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.76 ¥1,241

$17.65 $17.65

-56.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.94 ¥950

$16.57 $16.57

-64.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.94 ¥3,671

$20.35 $20.35

12.73%

Apples (1kg)

$4.06 ¥649

$7.57 $7.57

-46.37%

Banana (1kg)

$2.57 ¥411

$2.42 $2.42

6.20%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.16 ¥506

$5.42 $5.42

-41.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.98 ¥477

$6.03 $6.03

-50.58%

Potato (1kg)

$2.27 ¥363

$2.82 $2.82

-19.50%

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 ¥362

$3.63 $3.63

-37.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 ¥166

$2.48 $2.48

-58.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.83 ¥133

$2.58 $2.58

-67.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.01 ¥642

$10.93 $10.93

-63.31%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.27 ¥682

$15.23 $15.23

-71.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 ¥306

$1.68 $1.68

13.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 ¥436

$3.70 $3.70

-26.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.84 ¥294

$2.06 $2.06

-10.68%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.0 ¥8,800

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.89 ¥462

$4.94 $4.94

-41.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.77 ¥443

$1.60 $1.60

73.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.54 ¥3,286

$41.47 $41.47

-50.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ¥194

$0.84 $0.84

45.24%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$16.2K ¥2.6M

$30.0K $30.0K

-46.15%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$15.9K ¥2.5M

$26.7K $26.7K

-40.58%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$162 ¥26.0K

$179 $179

-9.40%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.95 ¥4,311

$49.89 $49.89

-45.98%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.37 ¥5,338

$55.4 $55.4

-39.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.1 ¥9,611

$43.58 $43.58

37.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.25 ¥1,640

Cinema Ticket

$13.02 ¥2,082

$15.10 $15.10

-13.77%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$86.1 ¥13.8K

$1,894 $1,894

-95.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K ¥2.5M

$39.6K $39.6K

-60.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.76 ¥6,680

$67.4 $67.4

-38.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.15 ¥3,384

$47.15 $47.15

-55.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.60 ¥6,015

$112 $112

-66.57%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.9 ¥9,098

$171 $171

-66.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$388 ¥62.1K

$1,618 $1,618

-75.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$279 ¥44.7K

$2,676 $2,676

-89.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$851 ¥136.1K

$2,632 $2,632

-67.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$665 ¥106.4K

$2,204 $2,204

-69.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,514 ¥722.2K

$2,731 $2,731

65.31%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,332 ¥373.0K

$2,339 $2,339

-0.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,234 ¥197.5K

$5,024 $5,024

-75.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

1.24

6.44

-80.75%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Niigata: June 1, 2026

Last update for Somerset, NJ: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $388 in Niigata and $1,618 in Somerset, NJ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Somerset, NJ pays 307% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $49.00 in Niigata vs $78.0 in Somerset, NJ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $282 vs $507 per month, with Niigata cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Niigata vs Somerset, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Niigata and Somerset, NJ differ by about 264% in total monthly costs ($1,122 vs $4,081 including rent). Niigata is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, Somerset, NJ earns 307% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $388 in Niigata versus $1,618 in Somerset, NJ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 80% higher in Somerset, NJ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $1,122 per month in Niigata versus $4,081 in Somerset, NJ – a 264% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $1,122 in Niigata versus $4,081 in Somerset, NJ, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Niigata but tight or insufficient in Somerset, NJ. The gap between the two cities makes Niigata the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Niigata and Somerset, NJ are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Niigata gentler on the wallet – expenses run 264% less than in Somerset, NJ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.