Ashley Peters, a digital creator and marketing assistant based in Japan, revealed how she had to spend much less in the East Asian country, as opposed to the U.S. Rent in particular was especially affordable, with her being able to afford living alone at $483.
Peters said that she moved to Japan in January 2025, driven by her interest in the country’s culture and cuisine. She said that she faced a lot of financial pressures back in the U.S. “I’ve never been someone who followed the ‘safe path.’ Even in college, where I studied business administration and management, I avoided internships that would lead to a 9-to-5 corporate career. Deep down, I knew I wanted more freedom than that. But freedom is expensive in America.
“I was working four jobs after graduation — as a full-time visual merchandiser at Lululemon, owner of a small sticker business, real estate sign manager, and organizational manager at a lacrosse club. I felt weighed down by the financial pressure of just existing. It felt impossible to be able to afford rent, health care, and other basics without getting a corporate job,” Peters said.
She added that when she saw an ad for teaching English in Japan, she applied “on a whim.”
Peters revealed the apartment she managed to rent was for $483. “For 74,460 yen (or $483 a month), I ended up in an apartment in Nakahara-ku, which is part of Kawasaki City and about 15 minutes by train to Tokyo,” she said.
“My apartment has plenty of natural light and even a tatami room (a traditional room with straw mat flooring for tea ceremonies), just like the ones I’d seen in anime. In the U.S., I’d never be able to afford something like this on my own. In Japan, it felt attainable, even comfortable, on my 277,500 yen (about $1,800) a month teaching salary.”
Peters also said that meals in Japan were more affordable than those in the U.S.
“The cost of living surprised me in other ways, too. A filling meal in Tokyo — like a traditional teishoku (meal set) with a beef rice bowl, miso soup, eggs, and a drink — could cost just 1,000 yen (about $6), compared to the $20 I was used to paying in California. My company covered my commuting costs and groceries didn’t break the bank. For the first time, my basic needs were covered without me constantly worrying,” she said.
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Peters stated that she eventually switched to making social media content for a language app, and freelancing as a digital assistant since teaching was never really her passion.
This comes at a time when Americans are increasingly grappling with the cost of living.
According to a new Harris poll, a six-figure income in 2025 equates to survival, but not necessarily to success. One in three six-figure earners described themselves in the poll as financially distressed. Two in three said six-figure pay is not a sign of wealth.
According to the Harris survey, many high earners portray themselves living paycheck to paycheck. Three-quarters of six-figure earners said they had used a credit card recently because they ran out of cash. More than half of six-figure earners said they would have to double their income to feel financially secure.
Most of America is currently coping with years of cumulative inflation. Prices surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, prices are at least 24% higher than at the start of 2020, according to Bankrate.