Compare countries · Japan vs Taiwan
Japan vs Taiwan
Across 10 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 2, Taiwan on 7, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
Taiwan
49.7
Worse than 67% of countries
Japan: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
Taiwan
14.2
Around the global middle
Taiwan: 3% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.40
Better than 93% of countries
Taiwan
1.69
Better than 78% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.40 vs 1.69).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Taiwan
83.0
Better than 97% of countries
Taiwan: higher perceived safety (83.0 vs 77.2).
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Taiwan
87.1
Better than 99% of countries
Taiwan: better-rated healthcare (87.1 vs 80.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Taiwan
269 Mbps
Better than 90% of countries
Taiwan: 5% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Taiwan
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: freer press (75 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Taiwan
6.71
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.71 vs 6.13).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
Taiwan
500
Worse than 57% of countries
Taiwan: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Taiwan
83.9
Better than 60% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Not comparable for this pair
- Human Development Index: UNDP doesn't score one of these countries.
- GDP per person (PPP): No comparable PPP figure for one of these countries.
- Life expectancy: No recent life-expectancy figure for one of these countries.
Quick answers
Is Japan cheaper than Taiwan?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Japan at 47.5 and Taiwan at 49.7. Japan is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Japan or Taiwan safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Japan scores 1.40 and Taiwan scores 1.69. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Deciding between Japan and Taiwan for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Japan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Taiwan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.