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: $1,113 in Niigata versus $4,052 in Somerset, NJ.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,838 in Niigata versus $4,762 in Somerset, NJ.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,564 in Niigata versus $5,473 in Somerset, NJ.

Living in Niigata costs roughly 73% less than in Somerset, NJ, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Niigata is 17% below, Somerset, NJ is 203% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.47 ¥890

$19.63 $19.63

-72.13%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.22 ¥7,999

$78.4 $78.4

-37.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.66 ¥921

$12.63 $12.63

-55.19%

Cappuccino

$2.05 ¥334

$5.10 $5.10

-59.80%

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

$1.22 ¥198

$2.55 $2.55

-52.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.74 ¥119

$2.56 $2.56

-71.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.70 ¥438

$8.02 $8.02

-66.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.40 ¥552

$9.98 $9.98

-65.93%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 ¥215

$1.13 $1.13

17.70%

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 ¥191

$3.99 $3.99

-70.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.43 ¥558

$8.09 $8.09

-57.60%

Eggs

$2.34 ¥380

$4.26 $4.26

-45.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.58 ¥1,232

$17.42 $17.42

-56.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.74 ¥933

$16.45 $16.45

-65.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.97 ¥3,733

$20.43 $20.43

12.43%

Apples (1kg)

$4.07 ¥662

$7.55 $7.55

-46.09%

Banana (1kg)

$2.55 ¥415

$2.43 $2.43

4.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.13 ¥509

$5.31 $5.31

-41.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.85 ¥464

$6.17 $6.17

-53.81%

Potato (1kg)

$2.38 ¥387

$2.70 $2.70

-11.85%

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 ¥357

$3.57 $3.57

-38.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ¥168

$2.61 $2.61

-60.54%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 ¥139

$2.54 $2.54

-66.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.11 ¥668

$10.99 $10.99

-62.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.39 ¥713

$15.12 $15.12

-70.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 ¥320

$1.76 $1.76

11.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 ¥445

$3.72 $3.72

-26.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.78 ¥289

$2.03 $2.03

-12.32%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$56.0 ¥9,107

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.76 ¥449

$5.10 $5.10

-45.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.78 ¥452

$1.59 $1.59

74.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.48 ¥3,328

$41.55 $41.55

-50.71%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 ¥189

$0.89 $0.89

30.34%

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

$16.0K ¥2.6M

$29.8K $29.8K

-46.45%

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

$15.7K ¥2.6M

$27.1K $27.1K

-41.97%

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

$164 ¥26.6K

$178 $178

-7.64%

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

$26.91 ¥4,373

$50.5 $50.5

-46.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.99 ¥5,361

$55.7 $55.7

-40.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.4 ¥9,819

$42.21 $42.21

43.14%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.31 ¥1,676

Cinema Ticket

$13.24 ¥2,151

$14.79 $14.79

-10.48%

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

$85.4 ¥13.9K

$1,885 $1,885

-95.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.4K ¥2.5M

$39.5K $39.5K

-60.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.58 ¥6,758

$68.3 $68.3

-39.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.71 ¥3,366

$47.90 $47.90

-56.76%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.85 ¥6,314

$115 $115

-66.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$56.8 ¥9,230

$170 $170

-66.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$384 ¥62.4K

$1,605 $1,605

-76.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$279 ¥45.4K

$2,648 $2,648

-89.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$851 ¥138.3K

$2,600 $2,600

-67.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$663 ¥107.7K

$2,197 $2,197

-69.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,134 ¥671.9K

$2,666 $2,666

55.05%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,143 ¥348.3K

$2,360 $2,360

-9.21%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,245 ¥202.4K

$4,952 $4,952

-74.86%

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: July 13, 2026

Last update for Somerset, NJ: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $384 in Niigata and $1,605 in Somerset, NJ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Somerset, NJ pays 298% 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 $281 vs $504 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 ($1,113 vs $4,052 including rent). Niigata is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, salaries run 298% lower in Somerset, NJ. 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: $384 in Niigata versus $1,605 in Somerset, NJ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 79% higher in Somerset, NJ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $1,113 per month in Niigata versus $4,052 in Somerset, NJ – a 264% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $1,113 in Niigata versus $4,052 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.