NLVNet Life Value

Moving from
to

Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.

The verdict

Japan is 23% more expensive. Tax rate goes from 27.5% to 24.2%. Quality of life drops by 4 points.

Portugal takes a clear lead in Quality of Life with a score of 70, four points ahead of Japan's 66. The most impactful difference is climate, where Portugal's 72 points dramatically outshine Japan's 44, reflecting its warmer and more agreeable weather (both at 16°C average, but Portugal's score indicates more favorable conditions). Cost of living also heavily favors Portugal, scoring 73 versus Japan's 50, making daily expenses considerably lower. Taxation is also more lenient in Portugal, at 34 points compared to Japan's 47. Both countries share an identical high safety rating of 93, ensuring a secure environment.

Portugal emerges as the stronger choice, predominantly because of its significantly better climate and lower cost of living.

Moving to Japan? NLV varies by city.

Tokyo43

Tax Comparison

At $28,456 USD equivalent gross salary

🇵🇹 Portugal

Gross€26,106
Income Tax-€4,306
Social-€2,872
Net€18,928
Effective Rate27.5%

🇯🇵 Japan

Gross¥4,247,164
Income Tax-¥401,202
Social-¥626,457
Net¥3,219,505
Effective Rate24.2%

Net difference: +$939/year in Japan.Full calculator →

What Things Actually Cost

Price Index: Portugal = 75, Japan = 92 (US = 100)

🍔

Big Mac

$4.90→$3.60
-27%
☕

Starbucks Tall Latte

$3.30→$4.00
+21%
🍺

Beer 500ml (bar)

$3.50→$5.50
+57%
📱

iPhone 16 128GB

$900.00→$850.00
-6%
🎬

Netflix Standard (monthly)

$12.99→$10.50
-19%
⛽

1L Gasoline (95)

$1.80→$1.40
-22%
🚇

Single Transit Ticket

$1.80→$1.50
-17%
🏠

Airbnb Studio (city center)

$70.00→$80.00
+14%
See all 30 products →

What Salary to Ask For

If you earn €26,106 gross in Portugal ($28,456USD), here's what you need in Japan depending on your goal:

Same net income (tax only)

¥4,052,429

You keep the same $20,632/yr net in both countries. Japan taxes 3.6% less.

Same purchasing power (recommended)

¥4,970,980

Accounts for the fact that Japan is 23% more expensive than Portugal. This is the number to negotiate.

Net Life Value at $28K

🇵🇹 Portugal

52

-4

🇯🇵 Japan

48

NLV combines net income, cost of living, and quality of life into one score. Similar overall quality of life in both countries.

Calculate with your exact salary →

Quality of Life

Portugal: 70/100 vs Japan: 66/100

Cost of Living
73
50
-23
Climate
72
44
-28
Safety
93
93
0
Healthcare
69
75
+6
Internet
74
86
+12
Taxation
34
47
+13

Moving to Japan: Practicalities

Visa Openness

40/100

English Level

40/100

Expat Community

2.3%

Digital Nomad Visa

Available

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax do I save moving from Portugal to Japan?▾
The effective tax rate changes from 27.5% in Portugal to 24.2% in Japan. You keep about $938.83 more per year in Japan.
Is Japan cheaper to live in than Portugal?▾
No. Japan is about 23% more expensive across 30 everyday products. Budget accordingly.
What salary do I need in Japan to match my lifestyle in Portugal?▾
Use our salary calculator to find the exact amount. It accounts for income tax, social contributions, and cost of living differences between Portugal and Japan. As a rule of thumb: you need a higher gross salary because Japan is more expensive.
Is it worth moving from Portugal to Japan?▾
It depends on your priorities. The financial difference is small. Consider quality of life, climate, healthcare, and personal factors.

Also Consider

🇵🇹 → 🇺🇸 United States🇵🇹 → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇵🇹 → 🇫🇷 France🇵🇹 → 🇩🇪 Germany🇵🇹 → 🇪🇸 Spain🇵🇹 → 🇮🇹 Italy