At a glance
| Factor | Tokyo | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | JPY 3,000,000 to 4,500,000 (USD 20,000 to 30,000) | SAR 50,000 to 150,000 (USD 13,000 to 40,000) |
| Dominant curricula | American, British, IB, Japanese bilingual | British, American, IB, Saudi national |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Lower than its reputation suggests | About 20 percent cheaper than Tokyo |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Professional visa or work visa | Iqama for worker, dependants on family iqama |
| Expat share of population | About 3 percent of metro residents | About 35 percent of metropolitan area |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Tokyo is the safer, culturally deeper posting with strong American and British international schools and a famously orderly daily life. Riyadh offers a fast-modernising economy, no income tax and a regulated school market under the Ministry of Education. Both deliver excellent IB Diploma provision.
Schools landscape side by side
Tokyo has about 25 international schools serving the corporate and diplomatic communities. Flagships parents shortlist include the American School in Japan (ASIJ) in Chofu, the British School in Tokyo (BST) in Shibuya, Saint Maur International School, Yokohama International School (commutable), Tokyo International School, Seisen International School and the New International School. ASIJ is the long-standing prestige choice. See Tokyo schools hub for ratings.
Riyadh has about 30 international schools regulated by the Ministry of Education. Names families recognise include the American International School Riyadh (AIS-R), the British International School Riyadh (BISR), King Faisal School, Multinational School Riyadh, the GEMS International School, Manarat Al Riyadh and Kingdom Schools. The market has grown rapidly since the 2030 Vision opened up to expat families. See Riyadh schools hub.
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 for Tokyo and Riyadh in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Tokyo runs at upper Asia pricing. ASIJ publishes secondary fees of JPY 3,533,000 (about USD 23,500) plus a non-refundable capital assessment of JPY 250,000 and a bus fee of JPY 390,000. BST and Saint Maur sit in a similar range. Year 1 total cost with one-off fees can exceed USD 35,000. Add JPY 8,000 to JPY 12,000 a day for school lunch and the all-in number climbs further.
Riyadh runs across a wider band. AIS-R and BISR publish secondary fees of SAR 110,000 to SAR 150,000 (USD 29,000 to USD 40,000) at the IB Diploma stage. Mid-tier schools sit at SAR 50,000 to SAR 90,000. Add SAR 5,000 to SAR 12,000 a year for transport. Most expatriate employers include an education allowance that covers tuition. Build a multi-year projection with the cost calculator.
Curriculum availability
Tokyo covers American (ASIJ, leading), British (BST), IB at multiple schools and Japanese bilingual at private schools. The IB Diploma is widely available and growing. The American high school diploma plus AP remains the dominant route for US universities. Read our IB hub and American curriculum hub for details.
Riyadh covers British (the largest international stream), American at AIS-R, IB at several schools and Saudi national curriculum at private schools. The IB Diploma is increasingly the route of choice for families targeting global university applications. Several schools offer dual British IGCSE plus IB or A Level pathways at sixth form.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Tokyo, families with school-age children cluster in Hiroo, Azabu and Roppongi for embassy-zone living and proximity to BST and ASIJ shuttle stops, in Setagaya and Denenchofu for villa-style family homes and good schooling commutes, plus the Chofu area itself for ASIJ campus proximity. A three-bedroom apartment in Hiroo runs JPY 600,000 to JPY 1,200,000 a month.
In Riyadh, expat families gravitate to Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) for embassy-zone security, Al Nakheel and Al Yasmin for AIS-R proximity, Hittin and Al Wadi for BISR, and Olaya for central living. A four-bedroom villa in the DQ runs SAR 15,000 to SAR 30,000 a month. Compound living is the dominant choice for new arrivals.
Lifestyle and climate
Tokyo offers one of the safest urban environments in the world, an exceptional transit network, four distinct seasons and a quietly intense food and culture scene. Healthcare on Japan's national health insurance plus supplementary private cover is excellent. Earthquake preparedness is a normal part of family life. Domestic help is rare and expensive.
Riyadh has hot dry summers above 45 degrees Celsius, mild winters and a fast-changing social environment under Vision 2030 reforms. The city is geographically spread and car-dependent. Healthcare on private insurance is excellent. Cinemas, concerts and mixed-gender public spaces returned in 2018 and the entertainment economy continues to expand.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Tokyo if your career is Japan-anchored, your family values safety, public order and cultural depth and you can absorb the high housing costs in central districts. It suits households with school-age children who will benefit from Japanese language exposure.
Choose Riyadh if your employer is offering a tax-free package with an education allowance, you want bigger living space and fast career growth in a transforming economy. See Dubai vs Riyadh for the Gulf comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tokyo or Riyadh cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Riyadh is around 20 percent cheaper overall once tax savings are included. Tuition is comparable at the top, but daily life, housing in compound communities and transport are materially lower. Tokyo central housing is the most expensive line item in either city.
Which city has better international schools?
Tokyo has higher quality consistency at the top, with ASIJ and BST among Asia's strongest. Riyadh has more breadth and rapid growth, with AIS-R and BISR leading and new entrants opening regularly under Vision 2030 reforms.
Is the family visa easier in Tokyo or Riyadh?
Riyadh is simpler. The worker iqama plus family iqama covers dependants in a single sponsorship. Tokyo's work visa or Highly Skilled Professional route is procedural but workable, with the HSP visa offering faster permanent residency.
How long is the school admissions process in each city?
Tokyo top schools (ASIJ, BST) often have waiting lists at popular year groups. Plan 9 to 12 months ahead. Riyadh moves faster outside the premium tier, with places often available within 6 to 10 weeks for primary transfers.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
In Tokyo, Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi, Setagaya and Denenchofu. In Riyadh, the Diplomatic Quarter, Al Nakheel, Hittin, Al Wadi and Olaya.
