Tax rates are simplified estimates for a typical foreign teacher's salary bracket, not precise calculations — actual tax owed depends on progressive brackets, tax treaties, residency status, social insurance contributions, and local practice. Treat as a rough planning figure, not tax advice.
Adjusted for city size: Hong Kong figures averaged across 4 listing cities (Wanchai, Hong kong, Hong Kong, Kowloon) — 77% of the national hub baseline; Japan figures averaged across 3 listing cities (Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya) — 83% of the national hub baseline.
Japan is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hong Kong, based on typical rent, food and transport costs.
Cost-of-living figures are indicative estimates compiled from publicly available sources including Numbeo, Mercer Cost of Living, and the Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living survey, and are not sourced from TEFL.com listings.
Estimated net salary minus estimated total monthly living costs (rent, food, transport and socialising combined). A negative figure suggests that role/location may need savings brought from home or a lower-cost lifestyle than assumed here — treat as a rough guide, not a budget.
Each percentage is the share of Hong Kong's (or Japan's) included teaching posts whose listing mentioned the benefit. A missing benefit isn't necessarily unavailable, just not stated in that listing.
The appeal of Hong Kong centres on high salaries, international hub. The average teaching salary works out to around HK$23,900 (£2,414 / $3,225 / €2,807)/mo across 5 job listing(s). Expect more variation in pay here than in Japan, depending on the role and school. Living costs here tend to run higher than in Japan, so factor that into the real take-home value.
🇯🇵Japan
Japan attracts EFL teachers with unique culture, strong infrastructure. The average salary lands at ¥263,570 (£1,344 / $1,796 / €1,563)/mo. Salaries here are more tightly clustered than in Hong Kong, making typical earnings fairly predictable. The cost of living runs about 14% lower than Hong Kong — which adds real value to the take-home pay.
Two very different propositions, Hong Kong and Japan — but both prove the same point: a TEFL career can take you further than you might expect. Worth noting: Japan works out roughly 14% cheaper day-to-day, which can make a real difference to take-home value.
Salary figures drawn from TEFL.com listings over previous 6 months, teaching roles only. GBP, USD and EUR equivalents at approximate exchange rates; duplicate role listings merged into a single tier range.
