✦ Cost of living
Fukuoka
Fukuoka, Japan
US = 100
In plain terms: Fukuoka is about 9% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing80−20%
- Food & groceries95−5%
- Transport78−22%
- Utilities108+8%
- Healthcare85−15%
- Goods & services102+2%
Is Fukuoka expensive?
Not really — Fukuoka indexes at 91 against a US average of 100, so a month here lands within a few percent of a typical US city. Expect the surprises in individual lines rather than in the total.
Of the 87 cities we track, Fukuoka ranks #62 by overall cost — 25 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Fukuoka costs
One person
$2,230/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$3,220/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$5,520/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $500 | $700 | $1,300 |
| Food & groceries | $440 | $640 | $1,060 |
| Transport | $470 | $690 | $1,150 |
| Utilities | $220 | $320 | $540 |
| Healthcare | $240 | $350 | $590 |
| Goods & services | $360 | $520 | $880 |
| Total per month | $2,230 | $3,220 | $5,520 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Fukuoka
Kyushu's laid-back hub and the most affordable of Japan's big cities — a compact, food-obsessed port (ramen and open-air yatai stalls) that actively courts founders with a startup visa. Milder winters than Tokyo and quick flights across Asia are the draw.
- Currency
- Japanese yen (¥ JPY)
- Languages
- Japanese
- Time zone
- UTC+9
- Internet
- 220 Mbps
- English
- Rarely spoken
- Safety
- 82/100
- Climate
- ❄ 7°C · ☀ 28°C · 190 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 100V
- Driving
- Left-hand side
- Popular areas
- Tenjin · Hakata · Daimyo · Ohori
About
“Japan's startup city”
Kyushu's laid-back hub and the most affordable of Japan's big cities — a compact, food-obsessed port (ramen and open-air yatai stalls) that actively courts founders with a startup visa. Milder winters than Tokyo and quick flights across Asia are the draw.
- Currency
- Japanese yen · JPY
- Languages
- Japanese
- Coordinates
- 33.59, 130.40
- Emergency
- 110
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
10%
VAT / sales
30%
Corporate
20.315%
Capital gains
$2,600
Avg net salary
per month
Plus ~10% local inhabitant tax.
Visas & residency
Work visas by category; Highly Skilled Professional points system.
✈ Short visits visa-free for many; work needs a status of residence.
Points-based, fast-track PR.
Permanent residence after ~10 yrs. Sooner via HSP points.
Quality of life
Quality of life
78/100
Safety
82/100
Healthcare
83/100
Pollution
38/100
Internet
220 Mbps
Jan avg
+7 °C
Jul avg
+28 °C
Sunny days
190/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
82/100
Family-friendly
74/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Low
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 20
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Fukuoka without a car?
80/100
Car-free score
78/100
Walkability
82/100
Public transport
Yes — Fukuoka scores 80/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Fukuoka indexes at 78 against a US average of 100 — about 22% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Fukuoka ranks #44 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Fukuoka — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$700
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$500
- Inexpensive meal$7
- Monthly transit pass$55
- Utilities (monthly)$140
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Fukuoka, JP expensive to live in?
Fukuoka, JP's cost-of-living index is 91 (US average = 100) — about 9% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #62 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $2,230 a month and a family of four around $5,520, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Fukuoka, JP?
Fukuoka, JP's cost-of-living index is 91 (US average = 100) — about 9% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $700 per month.
What are the average living costs in Fukuoka, JP?
Living costs in Fukuoka, JP are about 9% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 91 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Fukuoka, JP?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $700 per month, and around $500 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Japan?
Japan has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 10%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Fukuoka, JP?
Fukuoka, JP averages around +7 °C in January and +28 °C in July, with roughly 190 sunny days a year.
Is Fukuoka, JP safe?
Fukuoka, JP scores 82 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Fukuoka, JP without a car?
Fukuoka, JP scores 80/100 on our car-free score — 78/100 for walkability and 82/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Fukuoka with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.