Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Wakayama and Dhaka

For one person, living is cheaper in Dhaka: $428 a month against $1,276 in Wakayama, rent and utilities included – about $10,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Wakayama
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,276
/mo nomad
Dhaka
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
$428
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Wakayama and in Dhaka

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Wakayama and in Dhaka actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,276 in Wakayama versus $428 in Dhaka.

  • Wakayama $1,276
  • Dhaka $428

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,031 in Wakayama versus $724 in Dhaka.

  • Wakayama $2,031
  • Dhaka $724

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,785 in Wakayama versus $1,019 in Dhaka.

  • Wakayama $2,785
  • Dhaka $1,019

Living in Wakayama is roughly 198% more expensive than in Dhaka, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Wakayama 6% lower, Dhaka 68% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.47 ¥1,022
$2.50 ৳309
158.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.22 ¥4,932
$13.26 ৳1,638
135.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.89 ¥773
$4.99 ৳616
-2.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$4.87 ৳602
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.14 ৳511
-
Cappuccino
$2.46 ¥389
$2.35 ৳291
4.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 ¥197
$0.33 ৳41.07
278.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 ¥136
$0.16 ৳19.62
437.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.20 ¥506
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 ¥293
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ¥248
$0.85 ৳105
84.71%
White Bread (500g)
$1.53 ¥242
$0.63 ৳77.9
142.86%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.27 ¥675
$0.67 ৳83.1
537.31%
Eggs
$2.11 ¥334
$1.19 ৳147
77.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.04 ¥2,534
$8.83 ৳1,092
81.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.05 ¥1,114
$3.30 ৳408
113.64%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.10 ¥2,701
$6.41 ৳792
166.77%
Apples (1kg)
$8.20 ¥1,296
$2.75 ৳340
198.18%
Banana (1kg)
$3.02 ¥478
$0.94 ৳116
221.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.15 ¥814
$2.37 ৳293
117.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.94 ¥1,255
$0.64 ৳79.1
1140.63%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 ¥633
$0.26 ৳32.25
1442.31%
Onion (1kg)
$4.59 ¥726
$0.49 ৳60.6
836.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.14 ¥179
$0.30 ৳37.63
280.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 ¥139
$0.30 ৳37.49
193.33%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$12.24 ৳1,512
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$5.43 ৳671
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.53 ৳807
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.99 ¥630
$3.17 ৳392
25.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.33 ¥1,475
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 ¥393
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 ¥340
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.50 ¥236
$0.38 ৳47.44
294.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 ¥8,496
$23.06 ৳2,849
133.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.07 ¥485
$1.17 ৳145
162.39%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.91 ¥460
$0.38 ৳46.99
665.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.69 ¥2,478
$3.28 ৳405
378.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 ¥167
$1.11 ৳137
-4.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.0K ¥3.5M
$29.1K ৳3.6M
-24.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.0K ¥2.4M
$32.9K ৳4.1M
-54.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$117 ¥18.4K
$46.77 ৳5,779
149.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.45 ¥3,705
$4.51 ৳557
419.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.45 ¥4,968
$11.22 ৳1,387
180.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.3 ¥8,109
$16.43 ৳2,031
212.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$14.87 ৳1,838
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.21 ¥1,771
$4.20 ৳519
166.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$564 ¥89.1K
$91.6 ৳11.3K
516.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ¥2.3M
$2,596 ৳320.8K
471.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.37 ¥7,800
$16.63 ৳2,055
196.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.42 ¥5,596
$19.80 ৳2,447
78.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.4 ¥9,385
$46.87 ৳5,791
26.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.7 ¥15.6K
$37.00 ৳4,572
166.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$526 ¥83.1K
$148 ৳18.2K
256.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$337 ¥53.3K
$70.8 ৳8,743
376.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,093 ¥172.7K
$432 ৳53.4K
152.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$738 ¥116.5K
$213 ৳26.3K
246.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,206 ¥664.5K
$1,605 ৳198.4K
162.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,756 ¥277.4K
$751 ৳92.8K
133.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wakayama
Dhaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,965 ¥626.4K
$245 ৳30.3K
1519.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.67
10.67
-84.35%

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

Last update for Wakayama: October 17, 2026

Last update for Dhaka: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Wakayama
$382
Dhaka
$123 67.8% $259
Accommodation & Living
Wakayama
$337
Dhaka
$71 79% $267
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wakayama
$172
Dhaka
$63 63.6% $109
Eating Out
Wakayama
$124
Dhaka
$65 47.6% $59
Clothing & Footwear
Wakayama
$109
Dhaka
$54 50.5% $55
Getting Around
Wakayama
$77
Dhaka
$28 64.2% $50
Sport & Entertainment
Wakayama
$74
Dhaka
$25 66.3% $49

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $526 in Wakayama and $148 in Dhaka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Wakayama pays 1519% 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: $31.00 in Wakayama vs $13.00 in Dhaka for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $382 vs $123 per month, with Dhaka cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇯🇵 Wakayama
🇧🇩 Dhaka
🕒 Local time
02:52 2:52 AM
23:52 11:52 PM
3 h behind Wakayama
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
362,163
21,741,000 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BDT, USD, EUR to JPY – Japanese Yen Converter

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

Bangladeshi Taka exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 124 BDT (1,000 BDT = 8.09 USD). 1 EUR = 139 BDT (1,000 BDT = 7.2 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Wakayama Dhaka 4,470 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Wakayama
  • Dhaka

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Wakayama vs Dhaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dhaka cheaper than Wakayama?
Dhaka is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 198% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Wakayama or Dhaka?
Average pay runs 1519% higher in Wakayama, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Wakayama and Dhaka?
Rent for a central apartment: $526 in Wakayama versus $148 in Dhaka. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Wakayama and in Dhaka?
All in, you'll spend $1,276 per month in Wakayama versus $428 in Dhaka – a 198% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Dhaka runs roughly 133% less than in Wakayama. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Wakayama or in Dhaka?
At $428 in Dhaka versus $1,276 in Wakayama, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Dhaka but tight or insufficient in Wakayama. The gap between the two cities makes Dhaka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Wakayama or in Dhaka?
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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Dhaka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 198% less than in Wakayama. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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