Cost of Living in Osaka, Japan

Are you considering a move to Osaka, Japan, and wondering about the cost of living? Osaka is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Osaka and help you understand whether $1778 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $2179.14.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Osaka, Japan
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

6.8 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

34.02 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

4.93 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.92 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.4 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.99 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.06 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.7 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.43 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.35 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

2.94 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.85 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

9.2 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

5.19 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

17.22 $

Apples (1 lb)

3.21 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.75 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.6 $

Tomato (1 lb)

2.7 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.35 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.46 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.09 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.78 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

8.51 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.93 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.14 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

3.78 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

1.36 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

34.02 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

4.12 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

2.67 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

11.57 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.13 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

13030.69 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

9526.35 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

116.14 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

29.61 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

53.34 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

11.44 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

12.93 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

223.9 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

7822.03 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

31.82 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

19.27 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

45.9 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

63.1 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

506.54 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

313.97 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

968.24 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

584.01 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

4615.18 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

2497.27 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

2179.14 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

1.72 %

Cost of Living in Osaka, Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Osaka?

The monthly expenses for living in Osaka come to a total of approximately $1778. This includes an average monthly rent of around $506 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $130 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $730 per month.

How affordable is living in Osaka?

Living in Osaka appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $2179.14. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Osaka, you would likely need an income exceeding $2179.14.

What is the average salary in Osaka?

In Osaka, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $2179.14, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Osaka?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Osaka is approximately $506. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $313.97 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Osaka?

The expense for groceries in Osaka can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $522 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Japan?

The cost of living in Japan can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Japan.

Osaka, Japan

How Safe Is Osaka, Japan for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Osaka, Japan

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Osaka, as the majority of Japanese cities, is very safe and it is among the safest cities in the world. The overall crime risk is very low.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Taxis in Osaka are safe and you can be sure that the taxi drivers will not try to take advantage of you. In case you want to drive in Japan, you must hold an International Driving Permit and must carry your driving license with you at all times. There is some pickpocket risk in public transport, but not too often.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Due to a large number of citizens and the greater number of tourists, Osaka is prone to pickpocketing. It is safe to walk about at night and to travel on public transport as long as you remain watchful and vigilant. The aim of thieves is usually money and your passport, so if it is lost or stolen, you should report this at a police station and get a police report.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

Osaka region is very prone to natural disasters and the risk of tsunamis, earthquakes, and floods exist all the time. The Japan Meteorological Agency website always shows the latest updated information about the possible natural hazards to warn people.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Mugging and kidnapping rarely happen in Osaka and the risk level is low. However, some areas are best to be avoided at night, since some personal attacks, including sexual assault and rape, sometimes happen.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Even though the Japanese government undertakes various measures for preventing terrorist activity, it cannot be predicted, nor avoided. The attacks did not occur in the recent history of Japan, but you should be aware of the global risk. Terrorist attacks usually occur in public areas, so remain extremely watchful of any suspicious activity around you.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Be aware of homeless people, follow safety precautions and try to avoid suspiciously looking people. Drink spiking with much higher levels of alcohol is common with the aim of robbing the victim and taking his/her credit card. So you should never accept drinks from strangers and do not leave it unattended for some time.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The women's safety risk is low and most visits are trouble-free, but women should still avoid walking alone at night.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Visas are not necessary for stays under 90 days, but the citizens of China, Russia, CIS countries, Georgia, and the Philippines are required to have a visa. If you wish to enter Japan for any other purposes, you will need to obtain a visa and contact a Japanese Embassy or Consulate. You should know that visas are not issued after arrival in Japan.

currency_exchange

Currency

When in Osaka, make sure that you exchange currency in banks, post offices or some large hotels since they will offer you the best rates. Good exchange rate might also be offered at the international airports in Japan. Japan is mainly a cash society, so there might be a risk that your credit card might not be accepted or ATMs might reject giving you the money. ATMs in convenience stores and shopping centers are available 24 hours a day. The Japanese official currency is the Yen.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The weather in Japan is generally mild, but the snowfalls during the wintertime are possible. The severe weather is frequent in Japan, so you should prepare in the event of a typhoon. The tropical cyclone season lasts from June to December and the dangers increase when an earthquake occurs shortly after a typhoon.

flight_takeoff

Airports

The main Osaka airports are Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport. There are even 98 modern airports in Japan.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Even though Osaka is a generally safe place, do not start your journey unless you obtain a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Osaka, Japan

What about weather in Osaka, Japan ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 48°F 49°F 56°F 66°F 75°F 81°F 88°F 90°F 83°F 73°F 62°F 53°F
Temp 41°F 42°F 48°F 58°F 67°F 74°F 81°F 83°F 76°F 65°F 55°F 45°F
Low 35°F 36°F 41°F 51°F 59°F 68°F 75°F 76°F 70°F 58°F 48°F 39°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 8°C 9°C 13°C 18°C 23°C 27°C 31°C 32°C 28°C 22°C 16°C 11°C
Temp 5°C 5°C 8°C 14°C 19°C 23°C 27°C 28°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 7°C
Low 1°C 2°C 5°C 10°C 15°C 20°C 23°C 24°C 21°C 14°C 8°C 3°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Japan with Osaka

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries