Living Abroad Life in Japan

How much is rent in Japan? Average rent by city and monthly living costs

Hikaru Osaka

26.12.25

Read time 10 minutes

This article was reviewed on 19 December 2025. Information may have changed since publication. Please verify with the relevant provider. Also, Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with any of service providers mentioned in this article, and this content is for informational purposes only. Please use your own judgment when making decisions.

If you’re moving to Japan and trying to figure out the rent costs and monthly budget for living here alone, check out this guide as reference.

This guide covers the average rent in Japan by city and apartment layout, what really affects prices near stations, and the one-time move-in fees many newcomers miss. You will also find simple monthly budget examples for a single person to help you plan with confidence.

When you are ready to pay a deposit or monthly rent from overseas, Wise can help you convert and send JPY with low, transparent fees.

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Table of contents
Average rent and monthly living costs at a glance Average rent in Japan by prefecture and city What affects rent in Japan Initial move-in costs in Japan: what to budget Monthly living costs for a single person Make International Transfers Easier with Wise

Average rent and monthly living costs at a glance

Average rent and monthly living costs for 1R/1K/1DK apartments

In metropolitan cities like Tokyo and Osaka, 1R or 1K apartments are popular and quite common. 1R apartment refers to a one-room studio apartment typically ranging from 13m**²** to 25m**²**.

A 1K apartment refers to a one-room studio apartment with a kitchen that is separated from the main room. A 1K apartment also ranges from 13m**²** to 25m**²** in size.

The average rent for 1R/1K apartments are listed according to the six major cities below.¹ Please view the monthly average living costs as reference, as it is just an example.

Cities	Average Rent (※1)	Living Cost (※2)
Tokyo (23 wards only)	111,000 JPY	170,000 - 180,000 JPY
Osaka	66,000 JPY	140,000 - 177,000 JPY
Kyoto	62,000 JPY	110,000 - 160,000 JPY
Nagoya	56,000 JPY	100,000 - 130,000 JPY
Fukuoka	60,000 JPY	150,000 - 160,000 JPY
Sapporo	47,000 JPY	140,000 - 150,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type. Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent and monthly living costs for 1LDK apartments

1LDK refers to a one bedroom apartment with a living/dining room separated from the kitchen. Typically ranges from 23m**²** to 35m**²**.

The average rent for 1R/1K apartments are listed according to the six major cities below.¹ Please view the monthly average living costs as reference, as it is just an example.

Cities	Average Rent (※1)	Living Cost (※2)
Tokyo (23 wards only)	188,000 JPY	280,000 JPY
Osaka	103,000 JPY	240,000 JPY
Kyoto	99,000 JPY	180,000 JPY
Nagoya	56,000 JPY	200,000 JPY
Fukuoka	60,000 JPY	180,000 JPY
Sapporo	57,000 JPY	207,000 JPY

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

※3Average monthly living costs may vary from person to person.

Average rent in Japan by prefecture and city

Rent varies depending on cities and regions because of land value. As you can see, Tokyo has the highest average rent and often doubles Fukuoka city’s rent. Since Tokyo offers convenience, more job options, means of transfer and nightlife, it is an appealing city for Japanese citizens and foreigners, leading to competitive rent.

Due to the current rising costs in Tokyo and overpopulation, expats with remote-work options are increasingly looking into Osaka and Fukuoka to live instead. Let’s have a glance at rent in other prefectures as well.

Average rent is broken down into specific locations found below.

Average rent in Tokyo at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Chiyoda-ku	152,000 JPY	230,000 JPY
Chuo-ku	138,000 JPY	226,000 JPY
Minato-ku	156,000 JPY	291,000 JPY
Meguro-ku	133,000 JPY	226,000 JPY
Shinjuku-ku	134,000 JPY	223,000 JPY
Shibuya-ku	147,000 JPY	251,000 JPY
Shinagawa-ku	120,000 JPY	204,000 JPY
Nerima-ku	88,000 JPY	145,000 JPY
Adachi-ku	82,000 JPY	131,000 JPY
Bunkyo-ku	13,000 JPY	208,000 JPY
Musashino-shi	89,000 JPY	178,000 JPY
Tachikawa-shi	76,000 JPY	124,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent in Osaka at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Namba	69,200 - 70,000 JPY	120,000 JPY
Umeda	73,600 - 76,500 JPY	174,000 JPY
Shinsaibashi	76,600 - 86,500 JPY	149,000 JPY
Tennoji	57,900 - 66,400 JPY	108,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent in Kyoto at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Shimogyo-ku	68,000 JPY	116,500 JPY
Higashiyama-ku	62,000 JPY	110,500 JPY
Nakagyou-ku	66,000 JPY	128,000 JPY
Fushimi-ku	59,000 JPY	85,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent in Nagoya at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Naka-ku	65,000 JPY	103,000 JPY
Meitou-ku	54,000 JPY	88,000 JPY
Chikusa-ku	61,000 JPY	94,000 JPY
Minato-ku	50,000 JPY	61,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent in Fukuoka at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Hakata-ku	71,000 JPY	93,000 JPY
Higashi-ku	54,000 JPY	75,000 JPY
Sawara-ku	70,000 JPY	104,000 JPY
Chikushino	53,000 JPY	69,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Average rent in Sapporo at a glance

Location	1R/1K (※1)	1LDK (※1)
Kita-ku	46,000 JPY	61,000 JPY
Chuo-ku	52,000 JPY	66,000 JPY
Nishi-ku	48,000 JPY	57,000 JPY
Toyohira-ku	52,000 JPY	56,000 JPY

※1 Average rents vary by neighborhood, building age, layout, distance to the station, and season. Check current real estate listings for your specific area and apartment type.

※2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

What affects rent in Japan

Distance to station and commute time

Usually, the closer the apartment is to the train station, the higher the rent. However, if the apartment is very close, be aware of the noise because trains will run late at night and early in the morning. A place near the station may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to noise.

Layout and size of apartment (1R/1K/ 1DK/ 1LDK) and floor area

The bigger the apartment the more expensive the rent, especially if you are renting within the city area. If you wish to lower down the price, you might have to consider another layout or size.

Building age/ what it is made out of, floor level, orientation

Newly built buildings tend to be more expensive as compared to older buildings.

Buildings that are RC enforced also tend to be more expensive as compared to　buildings with wooden structures.

Rooms on the higher floors are more expensive due to having more views. Also, the orientation can matter—Is it south facing or north facing? The direction of your room will affect how much sunlight you will get in the day, and how hot or cold your room will be during the day. ²

Seasonality and move-in month

Rent is cheaper during off peak, which is April to December and gets more expensive during the peak season, which is January to March.

This is because schools and jobs start in April. Job transfers and moving before April is quite common. During this busy season, rooms get rented out fast. If you don’t want to rush to look for an apartment, it is best to start looking beforehand.

Same in the case of moving services—peak season is expensive and off peak is cheaper. The month you will move-in will therefore affect your initial move-in costs.

Initial move-in costs in Japan: what to budget

Common Japanese terms and phrases

Japanese term	Romaji	English
敷金・保証金	Shikikin/ Hoshokin	Deposit
礼金	Reikin	Gift money to the landlord
前家賃	Mae yachin	Advance rent
仲介手数料	Chuukai tesuuryou	Realtor fee
保証会社	Hoshou kaisha	Guarantor Company
賃料	Chinryou	Rent
共益費	Kyouekihi	Common facilities fee
清掃代	Seisodai	Cleaning fee
鍵交換代	Kagi kokandai	Lock replacement
火災保険	Kasai hoken	Fire insurance

Market rate of initial move-in costs

Initial move-in costs will vary based on when you move in, for example, peak moving season elevates the initial costs because of high competition. Landlords might set high key money and security deposits. The initial cost can possibly be around 400,000 JPY even for small apartments.

In general, it is best to budget 4-6 months worth of rent for the initial move.

	Market rate	Refundable
Deposit (shikikin)	1-2 month’s rent	Partially
Key money or Gift money to the landlord (reikin)	1 month’s rent	Non-refundable
Advance rent	1 month’s rent	Non-refundable
Realtor fee	0.5-1 month’s rent	Non-refundable
Property Insurance	0.5~1 month’s rent	Non-refundable
Rent	Pro-rated if you move in the middle of the month	Non-refundable
Common facilities fee	Pro-rated if you move in the middle of the month	Non-refundable
Cleaning fee	It can go up to 45,000 JPY	Non-refundable
Key exchange fee	10,000 - 20,000 JPY	Usually Non-refundable
Fire insurance	20,000 JPY	refundable

Initial move-in cost simulation

Below is a simulated example of initial move-in costs during peak and off-peak seasons for an apartment with the rent as 60,000 JPY.

	Peak	Off-peak
Deposit	60,000 JPY	60,000 JPY
Gift money to the landlord	60,000 JPY	0 JPY
Realtor fee	66,000 JPY	66,000 JPY
Advance rent	60,000 JPY	0 JPY
Daily rent (for 15 days)	30,000 JPY	30,000 JPY
Lock replacement	15,000 JPY	15,000 JPY
Guarantor company	60,000 JPY	60,000 JPY
Fire insurance	15,000 JPY	15,000 JPY
Total	366,000 JPY	246,000 JPY

Monthly living costs for a single person

Utilities

Tenants might not be able to choose which electricity, water and gas company they use. It depends on the managing company and as well as the area that they stay in.

Be careful of seasonal peaks such as summer and winter where electricity might be more expensive. Utility bills can get more expensive than usual.

Below is an example of a utility bill for a single person, comparing the cost on average and during seasonal peak.

	Average	Seasonal peak
Electricity	3511 JPY	4787 JPY
Gas	3359 JPY	4430 JPY
Water	2689 JPY	3063JPY

Based on information found on 19 December 2025

Internet and mobile phone

Not all apartments come with Internet connection. Therefore, you may need to install WiFi yourself.

If the Internet installment costs extra, providers do split the cost of installment over a few months, making it more affordable. However, take note that there may still be a fee that you have to pay upfront.

For mobile plans, there are the traditional carriers like softbank, docomo, au that are the most common in Japan. There are cheaper carriers (usually subsidiaries of these three) to choose from too.

Internet plans

Provider	Plan	Price
SoftBank	SoftBank Hikari (High-speed internet)	6930 JPY/month³
Docomo	1 Giga Type A*	5500 JPY/month⁴
au	Zutto Giga Toku Plan	6160 JPY/month⁵

*1 There are types A-C so you’ll need to check the Internet provider at the apartment.

*2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Mobile plans

Provider	Plan	Price
SoftBank	Merihari Museigen Plus (Unlimited data)	7425 JPY/month⁶
Docomo	Domoco MAX (Unlimited data)	8448 JPY/month⁷
au	Tsukai-hodai MAX+5G/4G (Unlimited data)	7788JPY/month⁸
LINEMO	LINEMO Bestplan V (~10GB)	2970 JPY/month⁹

*2 Based on information found on 19 December 2025.

Commute

If you commute from home to your workplace, it’s convenient to have a commuter pass. Here are some commuter passes that are common in cities. Local areas might have their own commuter passes.

Types of Commuter Pass	Price
Suica	500 JPY Deposit¹⁰
ICOCA	2000 JPY (Including 500 JPY Deposit)¹¹
PASMO	500 JPY Deposit¹²

Note: The price is for creating a card for a commuter pass. Actual train fare will depend on the distance from your nearest station to the station at your workplace.

These cards also function as prepaid IC cards. If your workplace is within walking or biking distance, then paying as you go can be cheaper than getting a commuter pass. Check your train fare for your commuting distance from their official website.

Groceries and eating out

The average cost of groceries for a single person was 43,941 JPY (as of 2024 based on e-Stat).

Tokyo has higher costs for groceries. Prices of rice or bento box lunches are slightly higher in Tokyo compared to Osaka. According to NUMBEO’s statistics of 2025, grocery prices in Osaka are 17.7% lower than in Tokyo.¹³

The same goes with costs of eating out in Tokyo and Osaka. According to NUMBEO’s statistics of 2025, restaurant prices in Osaka are 15.2% lower than in Tokyo.¹³

Mandatory insurance and local taxes

Mandatory insurance consists of these listed below:

Social health insurance premium
- (In the case you are Self-employed: National health insurance premium)
Employee pension insurance premium
- (In the case you are Self-employed: National pension premium)
Unemployment insurance premium
Income tax
Resident tax

For example, if you are a company employee in Tokyo, the health insurance rate is about 9.9% of monthly salary and half of that amount is deducted from the monthly salary.

The employee pension, in other words, the social insurance is approximately 18.3% of wages, split between the employer and employee.

The unemployment insurance is 0.9% of each worker’s total wage, in which the employer pays 0.6% and the employee pays the other 0.3%.

Resident tax has a standard rate nationwide — 10% of your income (Prefectural income tax 4%; Municipal income tax 6%). In addition, there is a fixed amount of 5000 JPY charged to residents.

Example monthly budgets for a single person

We created a simulation for a monthly budget based on 3 types of living styles categorized in cities.