🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,225 in Fukuyama versus $1,430 in Okinawa.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,901 in Fukuyama versus $2,196 in Okinawa.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,577 in Fukuyama versus $2,961 in Okinawa.
🙂Living in Fukuyama costs roughly 14% less than in Okinawa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Fukuyama is 9% below, Okinawa is 7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.55¥1,687
$8.57¥1,370
23.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.33¥5,651
$41.32¥6,609
-14.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.61¥898
$6.12¥978
-8.33%
Cappuccino
$3.37¥538
$3.31¥529
1.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88¥141
$1.32¥211
-33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75¥120
$0.86¥137
-12.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49¥558
$3.48¥557
0.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.61¥1,057
$4.81¥769
37.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03¥164
$1.87¥299
-44.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.88¥141
$2.30¥367
-61.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.13¥500
$4.83¥772
-35.20%
Eggs
$2.23¥357
$2.01¥321
10.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.34¥1,493
$16.33¥2,613
-42.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.88¥620
$11.13¥1,780
-65.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.68¥2,188
$26.95¥4,310
-49.24%
Apples(1kg)
$5.67¥907
$5.27¥842
7.59%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53¥404
$2.61¥418
-3.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.34¥1,014
$3.03¥485
109.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.97¥636
$5.65¥904
-29.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.65¥264
$3.69¥590
-55.28%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27¥364
$2.90¥464
-21.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05¥168
$1.60¥256
-34.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43¥69.4
$0.94¥151
-54.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13¥661
$4.82¥771
-14.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.53¥1,205
$6.11¥978
23.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71¥274
$1.72¥275
-0.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55¥568
$2.89¥461
22.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.67¥266
$1.67¥268
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.3¥9,002
$35.27¥5,642
59.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.38¥541
$4.19¥671
-19.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.36¥537
$3.77¥603
-10.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.55¥2,807
$12.74¥2,037
37.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.11¥178
$1.20¥192
-7.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9K¥2.2M
$22.8K¥3.6M
-38.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.3K¥2.8M
$17.0K¥2.7M
1.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110¥17.7K
$173¥27.7K
-36.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96¥3,352
$27.72¥4,434
-24.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.09¥5,293
$32.51¥5,200
1.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.4¥9,013
$53.4¥8,547
5.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.76¥2,201
$6.76¥1,081
103.55%
Cinema Ticket
$13.08¥2,092
$12.60¥2,016
3.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$374¥59.8K
$347¥55.5K
7.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,406¥1.2M
$13.5K¥2.2M
-45.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.57¥6,649
$48.84¥7,813
-14.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.45¥5,510
$29.28¥4,683
17.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.8¥11.2K
$72.9¥11.7K
-4.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103¥16.5K
$93.1¥14.9K
10.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476¥76.1K
$437¥69.9K
8.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$329¥52.6K
$394¥63.1K
-16.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$869¥138.9K
$944¥150.9K
-7.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$667¥106.6K
$750¥119.9K
-11.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,046¥807.1K
$8,543¥1.4M
-40.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,234¥357.3K
$1,187¥189.8K
88.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fukuyama
Okinawa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,360¥217.5K
$1,292¥206.6K
5.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
1
2
-50.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Fukuyama: May 30, 2026
Last update for Okinawa: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Fukuyama and $437 in Okinawa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Fukuyama pays 5% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $35.00 in Fukuyama vs $41.00 in Okinawa for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $398 per month, with Fukuyama cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Fukuyama vs Okinawa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Fukuyama or Okinawa?
Fukuyama wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Okinawa. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Fukuyama the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Fukuyama or Okinawa?
Fukuyama pays 5% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Fukuyama vs Okinawa?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Fukuyama versus $437 in Okinawa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Fukuyama and Okinawa?
Childcare runs $374 in Fukuyama versus $347 in Okinawa. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Fukuyama or Okinawa?
Supermarket bills run roughly 49% higher in Okinawa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Fukuyama or Okinawa?
At $1,225 in Fukuyama versus $1,430 in Okinawa, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Fukuyama but tight or insufficient in Okinawa. The gap between the two cities makes Fukuyama the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Fukuyama or Okinawa?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Fukuyama compared to Okinawa?
Safety-wise, Fukuyama and Okinawa are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Fukuyama gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Okinawa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.