3 Tips to Accurately Estimate Living Costs for Your Move Abroad

In 2026, the weak yen and global inflation continue. The old assumption that "overseas is cheap" is increasingly unreliable, making accurate cost estimation more important than ever.

Tip 1: Research "Expat-Level" Prices

Average local cost data isn't enough. When Japanese expatriates actually live abroad, costs tend to be higher in several areas:

• Housing: Safe areas and clean properties cost 1.5-3x the local average
• Food: Japanese groceries and restaurants carry premium prices
• Education: International schools cost 5-10x local schools

MoveWorth lets you input rent and living costs separately, so set amounts matching your actual lifestyle. We recommend gathering real figures from local Japanese communities and blogs.

Tip 2: Don't Underestimate Inflation

Inflation rates significantly impact simulation results. Emerging countries commonly see 5-10% annual inflation.

• Malaysia: ~2-3%
• Thailand: ~2-4%
• Turkey: ~40-70% (recent years)
• Japan: ~2-3%

MoveWorth provides default inflation rates per country, but inputting slightly higher values creates a more conservative, safer plan.

Tip 3: Consider Exchange Rate Volatility

Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check the 5-year range, not just today's rate.

For example, MYR to JPY:

• 2021: 1 MYR ≒ ¥26
• 2024: 1 MYR ≒ ¥34
• 2026: 1 MYR ≒ ¥40

That's about 55% variation. MoveWorth auto-fetches real-time rates, but consider "what if the yen weakens further" scenarios too.

Conclusion

The key to cost estimation is being "neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic." Input realistic numbers into MoveWorth's simulator and compare multiple scenarios for a more reliable relocation plan.