✦ Cost of living
Osaka
Osaka, Japan
US = 100
In plain terms: Osaka is about 4% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $850/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing92−8%
- Food & groceries98−2%
- Transport82−18%
- Utilities110+10%
- Healthcare85−15%
- Goods & services104+4%
Good to know before you move to Osaka
Japan's warm, wisecracking second city and its street-food heart — cheaper and more laid-back than Tokyo, with the same safety, transit and reliability. The gateway to Kansai (Kyoto and Kobe are minutes away), it's an easy-going base with a big food and startup scene.
- Currency
- Japanese yen (¥ JPY)
- Languages
- Japanese
- Time zone
- UTC+9
- Internet
- 230 Mbps
- English
- Rarely spoken
- Safety
- 82/100
- Climate
- ❄ 6°C · ☀ 28°C · 200 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 100V
- Driving
- Left-hand side
- Popular areas
- Namba · Umeda · Tennoji · Nakazakicho
About
“Japan's Kitchen”
Japan's warm, wisecracking second city and its street-food heart — cheaper and more laid-back than Tokyo, with the same safety, transit and reliability. The gateway to Kansai (Kyoto and Kobe are minutes away), it's an easy-going base with a big food and startup scene.
- Currency
- Japanese yen · JPY
- Languages
- Japanese
- Coordinates
- 34.69, 135.50
- 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
Safety
82/100
Healthcare
84/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
230 Mbps
Jan avg
+6 °C
Jul avg
+28 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
80/100
Public transit
88/100
Family-friendly
72/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Low
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 25
- 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) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Osaka, JP?
Osaka, JP's cost-of-living index is 96 (US average = 100) — about 4% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $850 per month.
What are the average living costs in Osaka, JP?
Living costs in Osaka, JP are about 4% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 96 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $850. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Osaka, JP?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $850 per month, and around $600 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 Osaka, JP?
Osaka, JP averages around +6 °C in January and +28 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Osaka, JP safe?
Osaka, JP scores 82 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Osaka with…
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.