πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $4,081 in Somerset, NJ versus $1,188 in Nagasaki.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,747 in Somerset, NJ versus $1,929 in Nagasaki.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,413 in Somerset, NJ versus $2,669 in Nagasaki.
πLiving in Somerset, NJ is roughly 243% more expensive than Nagasaki, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Somerset, NJ is 205% above, Nagasaki is 11% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.76$19.76
$5.47Β₯875
261.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.5$78.5
$20.61Β₯3,296
280.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.32$12.32
$5.57Β₯890
121.18%
Cappuccino
$5.08$5.08
$3.04Β₯487
67.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51$2.51
$1.04Β₯166
141.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68$2.68
$0.77Β₯123
248.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.97$7.97
$2.46Β₯393
223.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.92$9.92
$2.36Β₯378
320.34%
π Groceries & Markets
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14$1.14
$1.55Β₯247
-26.45%
White Bread(500g)
$4.15$4.15
$1.21Β₯194
242.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$8.23$8.23
$4.21Β₯673
95.49%
Eggs
$4.35$4.35
$2.32Β₯371
87.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.65$17.65
$10.37Β₯1,659
70.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.57$16.57
$3.42Β₯547
384.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.35$20.35
$20.95Β₯3,352
-2.86%
Apples(1kg)
$7.57$7.57
$3.21Β₯514
135.83%
Banana(1kg)
$2.42$2.42
$1.37Β₯219
76.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.42$5.42
$1.42Β₯227
281.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.03$6.03
$5.95Β₯952
1.34%
Potato(1kg)
$2.82$2.82
$2.74Β₯438
2.92%
Onion(1kg)
$3.63$3.63
$3.15Β₯505
15.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.48$2.48
$0.92Β₯148
169.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.58$2.58
$0.56Β₯90.1
360.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.93$10.93
$3.78Β₯604
189.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.23$15.23
$6.39Β₯1,022
138.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68$1.68
$1.93Β₯310
-12.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70$3.70
$2.02Β₯323
83.17%
π Getting Around
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.06$2.06
$0.94Β₯151
119.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$112Β₯17.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.94$4.94
$4.02Β₯644
22.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$2.87Β₯460
-44.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$41.47$41.47
$19.56Β₯3,129
112.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$1.20Β₯191
-30.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K$30.0K
$22.8KΒ₯3.7M
31.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K$26.7K
$20.2KΒ₯3.2M
32.70%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179$179
$216Β₯34.5K
-16.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.89$49.89
$26.68Β₯4,268
86.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.4$55.4
$36.16Β₯5,784
53.29%
π Sport & Entertainment
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.58$43.58
$55.9Β₯8,943
-22.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.97Β₯2,235
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.10$15.10
$14.04Β₯2,246
7.55%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,894$1,894
$262Β₯42.0K
621.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.6K$39.6K
$13.6KΒ₯2.2M
192.44%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.4$67.4
$43.72Β₯6,995
54.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.15$47.15
$29.85Β₯4,775
57.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112$112
$65.1Β₯10.4K
72.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$171$171
$60.3Β₯9,640
183.31%
π Accommodation & Living
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,618$1,618
$316Β₯50.6K
411.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,676$2,676
$212Β₯33.8K
1164.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,632$2,632
$874Β₯139.9K
201.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,204$2,204
$656Β₯104.9K
236.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,731$2,731
$4,597Β₯735.4K
-40.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,339$2,339
$2,364Β₯378.2K
-1.05%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Somerset, NJ
Nagasaki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,024$5,024
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.44
1.67
285.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Somerset, NJ: June 1, 2026
Last update for Nagasaki: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,618 in Somerset, NJ and $316 in Nagasaki. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $78.0 in Somerset, NJ vs $21.00 in Nagasaki for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $507 vs $276 per month, with Nagasaki 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
Somerset, NJ vs Nagasaki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nagasaki cheaper than Somerset, NJ?
Nagasaki is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 243% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $6,122 in Somerset, NJ and $1,783 in Nagasaki to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Somerset, NJ and Nagasaki?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,618 in Somerset, NJ versus $316 in Nagasaki. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Somerset, NJ and Nagasaki?
Supermarket bills run roughly 84% higher in Somerset, NJ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Somerset, NJ vs Nagasaki?
All in, you'll spend $4,081 per month in Somerset, NJ versus $1,188 in Nagasaki β a 243% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Somerset, NJ or Nagasaki?
At $1,188 in Nagasaki versus $4,081 in Somerset, NJ, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Nagasaki but tight or insufficient in Somerset, NJ. The gap between the two cities makes Nagasaki the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Somerset, NJ or Nagasaki?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Somerset, NJ or Nagasaki?
Safety-wise, Somerset, NJ and Nagasaki are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Nagasaki gentler on the wallet β expenses run 243% less than in Somerset, NJ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Somerset, NJ vs other spots: cost of living compared