At a glance
| Factor | Shanghai | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | USD 32,000 to 55,000 | USD 28,000 to 42,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, American, British, Chinese bilingual | American, IB, British, Japanese bilingual |
| Cost of living vs Shanghai (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | About 27 to 40 percent higher |
| Family visa | Z work visa plus S1 dependant | Engineer or specialist plus dependent visa |
| Expat share of population | Under 1 percent | About 4 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 12 to 16 weeks |
Shanghai is the cheaper city across school fees, housing and disposable spending, and offers significantly more space for the money. Tokyo wins on safety, public transport, healthcare quality and the maturity of its international school market. Both cities have credible English-medium provision from age 3 to 18, though Tokyo's bench is deeper and Shanghai's options are recovering after the 2020 to 2023 expat dip.
Schools landscape side by side
Shanghai's international school market is regulated by the city's education bureau and includes more than 25 schools that accept foreign-passport children. The names parents recognise include Shanghai American School (Puxi and Pudong), Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong and Puxi, Wellington College International Shanghai, the British International School Shanghai, Concordia, YCIS and SCIS. After-effects of the 2020 to 2023 expat exodus still mean capacity is generally good at premium schools, with most year groups admitting qualified applicants within a single term.
Tokyo's market is smaller in absolute terms but mature and stable. The flagship names are the American School in Japan, St Mary's International School (boys), Seisen International School (girls), the British School in Tokyo, Tokyo International School, ASIJ Early Learning Center and the K International School Tokyo. ASIJ is the clear giant at Chofu, with a single-digit acceptance rate for some year groups; the British School in Tokyo has waiting lists at Years 1 and 7 most years. See our Shanghai city guide and Tokyo city guide for school directories and current admission notes.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Tier 1 Shanghai schools publish 2025 to 2026 fees of CNY 230,000 to 390,000 (roughly USD 32,000 to 55,000) at secondary, with primary at CNY 200,000 to 320,000. On top expect a one-off capital levy of CNY 15,000 to 50,000, plus transport at CNY 18,000 to 30,000 a year. Many employers cover school fees in full for senior expat packages; the China specific package shrinkage of 2020 to 2024 has only partially reversed, so confirm package structure before accepting an offer.
Tokyo Tier 1 fees range from JPY 3,000,000 at primary up to JPY 4,500,000 at secondary (roughly USD 20,000 to 30,000), with ASIJ closer to JPY 3,500,000 to 4,200,000 and St Mary's similar. Capital levies of JPY 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 add a one-off USD 10,000 to 17,000 in Year 1. First year all-in costs for a secondary place at ASIJ commonly sit around JPY 6,000,000 to 8,000,000. Use our school fees explorer to compare specific schools.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover the global big three of IB, American and British, plus bilingual Chinese and Japanese tracks at selected schools. Shanghai has a clear American and IB bias by school count; Tokyo tilts toward American with a strong IB minority. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential in either city. For curriculum-specific deep dives, see the IB hub, American curriculum hub and British curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Shanghai, expat families cluster in Jinqiao and Kangqiao on the Pudong side near Dulwich Pudong and SAS Pudong, in Hongqiao for SAS Puxi and Wellington, and in the former French Concession for families who want a more central life. A four bedroom villa in Jinqiao runs USD 4,000 to 7,500 per month. In Tokyo, families pick Hiroo, Azabu and Roppongi for proximity to the British School and St Mary's, Setagaya and Chofu for ASIJ, and Yokohama for Yokohama International School. A three bedroom family apartment in Hiroo or Azabu runs JPY 600,000 to 1,200,000 (USD 4,000 to 8,000) per month.
Lifestyle and climate
Shanghai is energetic and changeable, with summers humid and winters short and cool. Pollution has improved markedly since 2018 but families still pay attention to air quality apps from November to March. Tokyo is cleaner, quieter and notably safer, with daily life calmer and more child-friendly. Travel within Asia is easy from either city. Tokyo's public transport is the world standard; Shanghai's metro is excellent but the city is built for cars and the school-bus is essential.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Shanghai if your role carries a strong China package, you want maximum space for the money and you are comfortable navigating a market still in flux. It also suits families with younger children who prioritise large campuses and broader sport. Choose Tokyo if safety, calm and academic stability matter more than cost, and your role can absorb the housing premium. Tokyo is the stronger city for families approaching Year 11 to 13 where consistent IB Diploma or AP outcomes will shape university choices.
Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before committing. The five year all-in delta on similar schools and housing typically runs USD 60,000 to 120,000 in Shanghai's favour, though packages can flip the maths.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shanghai or Tokyo cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Shanghai is meaningfully cheaper. Tokyo costs around 27 to 40 percent more overall depending on lifestyle, and Tier 1 school fees are 10 to 20 percent lower in Tokyo on a like for like basis, but housing in central Tokyo eats that back.
Which city has better international schools?
Tokyo has the deeper and more stable Tier 1 bench with ASIJ, St Mary's, Seisen and the British School. Shanghai's market is wider but uneven, with Dulwich, SAS, Wellington and BIS as the standouts. Choose by curriculum and year group, not headline rankings.
Is the family visa easier in Shanghai or Tokyo?
Tokyo is easier. Engineer and specialist work visas are well established and dependent visas are routinely granted. Shanghai requires a Z visa, foreign expert certificate and S1 dependant visas; processing has improved since 2024 but still takes longer.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
Shanghai schools commonly admit qualified applicants in four to eight weeks outside peak intake. Tokyo's Tier 1 schools have 6 to 18 month waiting lists for Years 1, 7 and 12. Apply early in either city.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Shanghai families cluster in Jinqiao, Kangqiao, Hongqiao and the former French Concession. Tokyo families pick Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi, Setagaya and Chofu depending on the school they target.
