Office Rent Compared to Major Global Cities
Over 75% lower than in London. Rent prices in Hong Kong are 258% higher than in Kyoto, and 474% higher in New York than Kyoto (Numbeo Cost of Living Comparison, 2025)
Singapore: Asia’s global hub is 76.9% more than expensive than Kyoto (2025 figures)
Kyoto: Even high-quality offices remain extremely affordable by global standards.
For the budget required to rent a small, shared office in New York or London, you can lease a high-grade office in Kyoto —or even a renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse office (Kyo-Machiya).
Engineer Salary Comparison
Japan’s engineers are highly regarded for their technical skills, yet labour costs remain significantly lower than in Western countries.
- U.S. (Silicon Valley): ¥20–30 million/year ($150k–$200k)
- Singapore: ¥10–15 million/year ($75k–$100k)
- Kyoto: ¥6–9 million/year ($40k–$60k) for top-tier engineering talent
Case Study: Establishing a 10-Person IT Development Center
- Team: 10 high-level engineers
- Office: 150 m² in a high-grade building in central Kyoto
| City Personnel (10 ppl) | Office (annual) | Total Annual Cost | Cost Ratio vs Kyoto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | ¥300M ($2.0M) | ¥22.5M ($150k) | ¥322.5M ($2.2M) | Approx. 4.0× |
| Singapore | ¥150M ($1.0M) | ¥18M ($120k) | ¥168M ($1.1M) | Approx. 2.1× |
| Kyoto | ¥75M ($0.5M) | ¥5M ($33k) | ¥80M ($533k) | 1.0 (baseline) |
By choosing Kyoto, companies can save approximately ¥240 million ($1.6 million USD) per year compared to San Francisco, and about ¥88 million ($586,666.67 USD) compared to Singapore—funds that can be redirected toward growth.
For startups: Lower burn rates and significantly extended runway.
For enterprises: Additional investment capacity for advanced research facilities or global marketing.