Cost of Living in Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa is a city in Japan, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,322 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $411 per month, or $334 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 150 Mbps median download speed, and Japan offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Okinawa scores 90/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter highs around 66°F, with roughly 193 sunny days a year.
Okinawa Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Okinawa
How Okinawa Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Okinawa ranks in the top 2% for safety, but sits in the bottom 18% for walkability. It is cheaper than 61% of them.
| Metric | Okinawa | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,322 | #133 of 340 | #56 of 65 |
| Safety | 90/100 | #6 of 340 | #1 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 88/100 | #60 of 340 | #1 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 150 Mbps | #193 of 340 | #36 of 65 |
| Walkability | 35/100 | #281 of 340 | #49 of 65 |
| Public transit | 22/100 | #243 of 340 | #42 of 65 |
| Food scene | 82/100 | #79 of 340 | #32 of 65 |
| Air quality | 90/100 | #53 of 340 | #4 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Okinawa
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Okinawa.
- Penang, Malaysia — $790/mo, 40% cheaper, safety 82/100
- Langkawi, Malaysia — $740/mo, 44% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan — $1,056/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Hiroshima, Japan — $1,111/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 86/100
Okinawa FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Okinawa?
A single person should budget around $1,322 per month in Okinawa, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,620 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Okinawa?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Okinawa averages $411 per month, dropping to about $334 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $851.
Is Okinawa safe?
Okinawa scores 90/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 92/100.
How fast is the internet in Okinawa?
Median download speeds in Okinawa are around 150 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 18 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Japan offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Japan offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.
What is the weather like in Okinawa?
Okinawa sees summer highs around 88°F and winter highs near 66°F, with about 193 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 135 days.
Okinawa in our travel guides
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