Osaka, Japan

Cost of Living in Osaka, Japan

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Osaka costs approximately $1,301 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $722. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Osaka is a city in Japan, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,301 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $722 per month, or $542 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 230 Mbps median download speed, and Japan offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Osaka scores 82/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 48°F, with roughly 304 sunny days a year.

Top for Live MusicTop for ShoppingTop for Night MarketDigital nomad visaFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$1,301≈ $43/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$722
Internet230 Mbps
Safety82/100
Avg Temp69°F

Osaka Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$6.45
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$32.24
McDonald's Combo Meal$4.51
Cappuccino$3.03
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.74
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.74

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.43
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.23
Eggs (12)$2.17
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.86
Apples (1 lb)$1.52
Bananas (1 lb)$0.91
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.86
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.71
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.82
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$9.67
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.55
Monthly Transit Pass$33.21
Taxi Start$4.19
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.11
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.12
VW Golf (New)$21,845.38

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$133.12
Mobile Phone Plan$21.06
Broadband Internet$27.89

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$57.49
Cinema Ticket$12.25
Preschool (Monthly)$526.24
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$13,325.60

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$42.63
Nike Running Shoes$69.77

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$722.16
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$541.62
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,673.87
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$812.79
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$578.85
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$197.38

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$2,090.02
Mortgage Interest Rate2.05%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,747.60
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$759.40

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Osaka

Internet230 Mbps
Safety82/100
Healthcare79/100
Public Transit90/100
Walkability82/100
Nightlife72/100
Food Scene98/100
Fine Dining85/100
Coffee Culture80/100
Air Quality63/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture85/100
Beaches20/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing15/100
Coworking Spaces45
US Visa-Free90 days

Neighborhoods in Osaka

Namba · Shinsekai · Umeda · Amerikamura

Osaka FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Osaka?

A single person should budget around $1,301 per month in Osaka, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,748 per month.

How much is rent in Osaka?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Osaka averages $722 per month, dropping to about $542 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,674.

Is Osaka safe?

Osaka scores 82/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 90/100.

How fast is the internet in Osaka?

Median download speeds in Osaka are around 230 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 45 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 Osaka?

Osaka sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 48°F, with about 304 sunny days and 131 rainy days per year.

Osaka in our travel guides

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