What is the standard of living for a single person with a monthly take-home pay of 170,000 yen?

It is entirely possible to live alone on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen, but it is not something that you can say you have a comfortable life. You need to keep your rent and fixed expenses down and manage your daily expenses. In particular, rent, food, and communication expenses account for a large proportion of your life, so where and how you live can greatly affect your quality of life.

Estimated annual income and gross salary for a take-home pay of 170,000 yen

A monthly take-home pay of 170,000 yen is the amount after social insurance and taxes are deducted. Looking at the gross amount (face value), it is about 220,000 yen, and on an annual basis, it is roughly 2.6 million to 2.7 million yen. If your workplace offers bonuses, your annual income will be even higher, but if not, you will need to keep a close eye on your monthly spending. By reviewing your allocation of rent and food expenses in particular, you can create a more realistic lifestyle plan.

Is a take-home pay of 170,000 yen a high or low standard of living?

A take-home pay of 170,000 yen is average to slightly low for the salary range of people in their 20s to early 30s. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the average take-home pay is around 180,000 to 220,000 yen. Of this amount, 170,000 yen is not a particularly low income, but it is a line where it is difficult to have extra money to save or spend on hobbies. However, if you can keep fixed expenses down and manage your spending, it is entirely possible to live a fulfilling life.

How different is life in the city and in the countryside?

There is a big difference in living expenses between Tokyo and the countryside, especially in rent. In central Tokyo, even a one-room apartment costs 60,000 to 80,000 yen, so housing costs are a big burden on a take-home salary of 170,000 yen. On the other hand, in the countryside, rent is kept to the 30,000 to 50,000 yen range, and utility and food costs are also cheaper, so it is easier to live comfortably even with the same income. Moving to the countryside or choosing a property in the suburbs is also an effective option for improving your quality of life.

What is a realistic rent? [Guidelines and examples]

When living alone on a take-home pay of 170,000 yen, setting the rent is an important factor that determines the stability and comfort of life. In general, it is considered ideal to have a rent of one-third of take-home pay (approximately 56,000 yen), but the appropriate amount varies depending on the region and lifestyle. Recently, due to rising prices and rent prices in urban areas, there are an increasing number of cases where living with the one-third rule is difficult. At the end of this chapter, we will provide a specific simulation of how life would change with rents of 40,000 yen, 50,000 yen, 60,000 yen, and 70,000 yen.

Is it true that rent should be one-third of your take-home pay?

The rule of thumb that "rent should be one-third of take-home pay" is a basic guideline that assumes a reasonable allocation of living expenses. For example, if your take-home pay is 170,000 yen, rent should ideally be around 56,000 yen, but in reality, average rents in urban areas are high, and in some areas it is difficult to keep it down to one-third. Recently, due to factors other than rent, such as rising prices, there are an increasing number of cases where people are struggling to make ends meet even with one-third of their salary. Also, this does not apply if there is rent subsidy or company housing, and in some cases, the actual burden is reduced by the amount, making it possible to live comfortably even if the rent is high.

Is it tough to pay 60,000 yen in rent on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen?

With a take-home pay of 170,000 yen, rent of 60,000 yen accounts for 35% of your total living expenses, so you need to be very careful with your money. The remaining 110,000 yen will cover fixed and variable expenses such as food, utilities, and communication fees, making it difficult to save money or unable to deal with unexpected expenses, which can easily lead to anxiety in your life. If you cannot compromise on rent for reasons of crime prevention or convenience for commuting, you will need to find ways to cut down on other expenses, such as using a cheap SIM card or cooking your own meals.

If you absolutely need to prioritize living environment and security and your rent ends up being 60,000 yen, it's important to balance it out by reviewing your communication expenses and focusing on cooking for yourself.

Living simulation by rent (40,000/50,000/60,000/70,000)

If the rent is 40,000 yen

• Food expenses: 25,000 yen
• Utility expenses: 10,000 yen
• Communication fee: 8,000 yen
• Other: 25,000 yen (daily necessities, transportation, entertainment expenses)
• Savings: 30,000 yen

By being frugal, it is possible to save around 30,000 yen a month, which gives you a certain amount of leeway in life.

In case of rent of 50,000 yen

• Food expenses: 25,000 yen
• Utility expenses: 10,000 yen
• Communication fee: 8,000 yen
• Other: 20,000 yen
• Savings: 17,000 yen

This is the line where you can balance savings with entertainment. There are many options in the countryside and suburbs, making life easier.

If the rent is 60,000 yen

• Food expenses: 20,000 yen
• Utility expenses: 10,000 yen
• Communication fee: 7,000 yen
• Other: 18,000 yen
• Savings: 5,000 to 10,000 yen

Savings are essential and it is important to review fixed costs, so savings and discretionary expenses are limited.

If the rent is 70,000 yen

• Food expenses: 18,000 yen
• Utility bills: 8,000 yen
• Communication fee: 7,000 yen
• Other: 15,000 yen
• Savings: Almost impossible or in the red

This is a very unrealistic lifestyle plan. Without bonuses or extra income, you will be in a tough situation.

Breakdown of living expenses and realistic money management techniques

To continue living alone on a take-home pay of 170,000 yen, it is essential to understand the breakdown of your living expenses and manage them in a planned manner. Categorize your expenses into "fixed expenses (rent, utilities, communication fees, etc.)" and "variable expenses (food, daily necessities, entertainment, etc.)" and set a reasonable budget for each. It is also effective to make a habit of managing your expenses using a household accounting app or Excel. Furthermore, by adopting sustainable money-saving techniques such as cooking at home, using a low-cost SIM card, and finding ways to save on electricity bills, you can achieve a comfortable life even with a low take-home pay.

How to reduce fixed costs (rent, utilities, and communication costs)?

Fixed expenses are expenses incurred every month, and the more you review them, the greater the effect. Keep the following points in mind.

rent

• The basic rule is to keep it within one-third of your take-home pay (about 55,000 yen)
• Even if the building is old, it is not a problem as long as the facilities are in good condition.
• You may be able to find a property with good cost performance by narrowing down your search criteria to "within 15 minutes' walk from the station" or "city gas available."

Utility bills (water, gas, electricity)

• Approximate monthly cost is 8,000 to 12,000 yen
• Be aware that electricity bills tend to be higher during the day for all-electric properties.
• By reducing your usage, you can save tens of thousands of yen a year.

Communication costs (smartphone/internet)

• Low-cost SIM + Wi-Fi is the best value combination
• Keep your smartphone bill under 3,000 yen per month and use campaigns to keep your internet connection costs down

How do you manage variable expenses (food, daily necessities, entertainment)?

Variable costs tend to vary depending on how they are used at the time, so control is required to eliminate waste.

Food expenses

• Estimated: 20,000 to 25,000 yen per month
• If you spend a lot of money at convenience stores or eating out, your spending may exceed 50,000 yen in one go.
• Buying in bulk and cooking at home can help you save a lot of money

Daily necessities and consumables

• Estimated: 3,000 to 5,000 yen per month
• Utilizing drugstore sale days and private brand products

Entertainment expenses and hobbies

• Estimated: 5,000 to 10,000 yen per month
• Decide on a budget in advance for drinking parties and events
• If social expenses are too high, consider drinking at home or finding a free spot instead.

Money saving tips: Home cooking, cheap SIM cards, and utility bill saving techniques

Here are some money saving tips that you can keep up with for as long as possible.

self catering

• You can eat a well-balanced meal for just 200 to 300 yen per person.
• By preparing food in advance and freezing it, you can save time and money compared to eating out.

Switch to a low-cost SIM

• Monthly communication costs of 7,000 to 10,000 yen reduced to under 3,000 yen
• If you don't have to stick to a major carrier, switching carriers can reduce your fixed costs.

Techniques to reduce energy costs

• The ideal temperature setting for your air conditioner is 28°C in summer and 20°C in winter.
• Installing power-off switches and outlets with switches to reduce standby power consumption
• It is also effective to shorten the time of your shower and reuse the leftover bath water for laundry.

The experience of a person living alone on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen

People who live alone on a monthly take-home pay of 170,000 yen find ways to make ends meet on a daily basis with their limited income. While they have gained freedom by leaving their parents' home, they may also be burdened with fixed costs such as rent, utilities, and communication fees, making it difficult to save as much as they would like or spend on entertainment. Many people are particularly surprised by the high initial costs and unexpected expenses, and many are getting by with steady money-saving techniques such as cooking their own meals, using cheap SIM cards, and taking advantage of special sales. Nevertheless, there are also some positive voices saying that "living independently gives me confidence." Here we introduce some of their experiences in detail.

The reality I faced when I went from living at home to living alone

When you move out of your parents' home and start living on your own for the first time, you are faced with both freedom and the reality of money.

• The first thing that surprises you is the high initial costs. There are many reports of people spending nearly 300,000 yen on deposits, key money, moving costs, furniture and appliances.
• Since starting to live alone, people are faced with fixed monthly expenses such as utility bills, internet and smartphone charges. With limited free money, some people have cut down on eating out with friends and have had to forego hobbies and shopping.
• On the other hand, there are also positive comments such as, "The realization that I can manage my own life has given me confidence," and many people are getting through it by using money-saving methods.

How tough is it to earn 170,000 yen a month and own a car?

In many cases, owning a car entails fixed and variable costs of around 15,000 to 30,000 yen per month, which is equivalent to about 20% of a take-home pay of 170,000 yen.

• "Without a car, I can't commute to work, so I had no choice but to keep my rent low."
• "If you want to own a car, you have to be prepared to cut back significantly on other expenses."
• "Cars are my hobby, so I can't give them up, but I can make up for that by living with zero social expenses."

How to reduce rental costs for a single person with a monthly salary of 170,000 yen

If you are living alone on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen, keeping rental costs as low as possible will lead to a stable life. You can often get cheaper rent by choosing an older property or one that is a little further away from the station, and you can also significantly reduce initial costs by choosing a property with no deposit or key money. Another effective method is to use real estate sites that do not charge brokerage fees. In order to reduce your monthly burden and aim for a comfortable life, it is important to review both the rent and initial costs.

Choose an older property

Older properties often have rents that are several thousand to 10,000 yen cheaper, even in the same area.

• Even properties that are 30 years old are becoming more and more popular as they have been fully renovated and have beautiful interiors.
• Many properties come equipped with basic amenities such as separate bathroom and toilet and air conditioning.

Taking into account the points mentioned above, it is important to check the actual condition, management status, and facilities rather than the age of the building.

Choose a property with no deposit or key money

The biggest advantage of a "zero deposit/key money property" is that it can save you over 100,000 yen in initial costs when moving.

• By keeping initial costs down, you can save up money to buy home appliances and start up your living expenses.
• "Zero property" cleaning fees may be high when you move out, so be sure to check before signing the contract.
• In some cases, rent may be set a little high, so it is important to compare the total monthly rent.

Choose the next station where express or rapid trains stop

The average rent is higher around popular stations, but in some cases it can be 10,000 to 20,000 yen cheaper just by going to the next station.

• Commuting time remains almost the same
• Instead of going to a station where only local trains stop, try going to the next station where rapid trains stop.
• If you broaden your search to within a 10-15 minute walk of the station rather than close to the station, you will be able to find cheaper rent.

How to choose an area and property where you can live on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen

To continue living comfortably on your own with a monthly salary of 170,000 yen, it is important to choose an area with low average rent and a good balance between accessibility and living environment. If you look beyond the center of Tokyo and look to the suburbs of Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, etc., you can find properties with rents in the 40,000 to 50,000 yen range. Make a comprehensive comparison of commuting time, public safety, living infrastructure, etc., and realize a comfortable life with an emphasis on cost-effectiveness. It is also important to check the recommended train lines and the characteristics of the area.

How to find areas with low rent

To compare average rent prices, it is useful to use the "Average Rent by Area Page" or "Average Rent Map" on a real estate portal site.

• Make a list of stations within 30 to 60 minutes by train from the city center and consider them.
• Prioritize checking areas where the average rent for a "one-room or 1K" apartment is 50,000 yen or less
• The best properties to look for are those that are more than 20 years old, are more than 10 minutes' walk away, or are close to a station that is not served by express trains.

It may be a good idea to check not only the convenience of commuting to work or school, but also the living infrastructure.

The pros and cons of living in the city vs. the suburbs

Since rents are inevitably high in the city center, more and more people are living in the suburbs. It is an effective way to reduce rent costs. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of living in the suburbs rather than the city center.

merit

• Rent is about 10,000 to 30,000 yen cheaper than in the city center
• You can find spacious properties with good facilities for the same budget.
• There are many calm residential areas, so you can live in a quiet environment.

Disadvantages

• Commuting to work or school takes a long time (sometimes more than an hour each way)
• Last train may be early/Travel costs may be high
• There are few restaurants and entertainment facilities, so people have more opportunities to go to the city center.

Recommended areas and train lines

The areas and train lines we will introduce below are examples of popular areas with easy access to the city center and reasonable rent. We will introduce a few for each area.

Saitama Prefecture

• Nishikawaguchi, Warabi, Minami-Urawa (Keihin Tohoku Line)

Within 30 minutes to the city center. Properties near the station available for around 50,000 yen.

• Soka, Yatsuka, Yashio (Tobu Skytree Line, Tsukuba Express)

Average rent is 40,000 to 50,000 yen. Redeveloped and has a good living environment.

Chiba Prefecture

• Ichikawa, Motoyawata (Sobu Line)

Located near Tokyo and has good access. It is a popular area, but there are properties in the 50,000 yen range.

• Funabashi, Tsudanuma (Sobu Line, Keisei Main Line)

Large commercial facilities are available. Good balance between convenience and rent.

Kanagawa Prefecture

• Tsurumi, Higashi-Kanagawa (Keihin-Tohoku Line, Toyoko Line)

A location that allows access to both Yokohama and Tokyo

• Sagami-Ono, Hon-Atsugi (Odakyu Line)

Low average rent, popular with students and working adults

[Subsidies available] Support system available even for those with low income

Even if your take-home pay is only 170,000 yen, the key to reducing the burden of living alone is to utilize various support systems. There are many systems that you can use if you meet the conditions, such as housing allowances, rent subsidies, and housing security benefits provided by local governments. There are also support measures for single-parent households and young people, and the application process is relatively simple. First, check the website of the local government in your area to find a system that suits you and make good use of it.

Possibility of housing allowance/rent subsidy

Some companies provide housing allowances and rent subsidies to both full-time and contract employees. The conditions for payment vary from company to company, but be sure to check the following points:

Points to check

• How much will be subsidized per month (maximum amount)
• Is the work location limited (e.g., only for transferees)?
• Application conditions (contract period, whether you have dependents, commuting time, etc.)

Some companies offer subsidies of 20-30% of the rent, up to a maximum of around 20,000 yen. Be sure to check the job posting and work regulations carefully.

Local government rent subsidy and support systems

Local governments also have systems in place that allow you to receive rent assistance if you meet certain conditions. The most common types of assistance are as follows:

Notable examples

• For young people and new graduates: Rent subsidy for those living alone (income restrictions apply)
• For single-parent families: Many municipalities offer rent subsidies. This can be used in conjunction with childcare allowances.
• Housing Security Benefit: Temporary rent assistance for people who have experienced a sudden drop in income

By searching for "rent subsidy" or "housing assistance" on the website of each local government, you can find out the eligible ages, conditions, and how to apply.

Consider a share house

Starting a life alone in Tokyo on a monthly salary of 170,000 yen may seem like a high financial hurdle. However, for those who want to live in the city center while keeping rent low, a shared house is a realistic and cost-effective option. One company that has been attracting particular attention is a shared house management company called "XROSS HOUSE." Let's take a look at why it's the perfect place to start living alone in Tokyo.

Benefits of choosing Cross House

• Low initial costs: Deposit, key money, and brokerage fees are all 0 yen, and the initial cost is a flat 30,000 yen
• Extremely cheap rent: You can live in Tokyo for as little as 24,800 yen per month (even with common area fees it's still only around 40,000 yen)
• Furniture, appliances, and WiFi included: Bed, refrigerator, desk, TV, washing machine, cooking utensils, etc., ready for immediate use.
• Plenty of properties near stations and in great locations: Many properties are available within 20 minutes of major stations in the city center, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro
• You can sign a contract without visiting the store: You can sign a contract online from your smartphone or PC, making it easy to move from a long distance.
• Free property moves after moving in: You can move properties as many times as you like even if your commute to work or school changes, so you can rest assured
• Common area fees include utility fees and consumables: Simple monthly payments make it easy to manage expenses

All the necessary facilities for daily life are provided: shower, kitchen, toilet, washing machine, and all the equipment are available in the shared areas.

Search for properties here

summary

This time, we explained how to live alone on a take-home pay of 170,000 yen. Living alone on a take-home pay of 170,000 yen is by no means easy, but it is entirely possible if you are creative with your "rent setting" and "expense management." In particular, rent should be within one-third of your take-home pay (approximately 56,000 yen), so you need to be creative in cutting down on expenses. Effective ways to save money include reviewing rent costs, cooking at home, using low-cost SIM cards, and electricity bills. Also, by taking advantage of housing allowances and rent subsidies from companies and local governments, as well as options such as shared houses, it may be possible to live comfortably even in the city center. Ingenuity and information gathering are the key.