🙂A single person spends $1,325 per month in Kashiwa vs $1,430 in Okinawa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,836 per month in Kashiwa vs $2,196 in Okinawa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,347 per month in Kashiwa vs $2,961 in Okinawa, rent included.
🙂Kashiwa is about 7% cheaper than Okinawa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Kashiwa sits 1% below the global median, while Okinawa is 7% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.99¥1,118
$8.57¥1,370
-18.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.94¥4,469
$41.32¥6,609
-32.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.67¥907
$6.12¥978
-7.35%
Cappuccino
$3.09¥494
$3.31¥529
-6.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84¥135
$1.32¥211
-36.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78¥124
$0.86¥137
-9.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14¥342
$3.48¥557
-38.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72¥435
$4.81¥769
-43.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23¥197
$1.87¥299
-34.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13¥181
$2.30¥367
-50.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.06¥809
$4.83¥772
4.76%
Eggs
$2.03¥325
$2.01¥321
1.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.04¥1,126
$16.33¥2,613
-56.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.39¥1,023
$11.13¥1,780
-42.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.32¥1,651
$26.95¥4,310
-61.71%
Apples(1kg)
$4.97¥794
$5.27¥842
-5.69%
Banana(1kg)
$2.83¥452
$2.61¥418
8.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.03¥645
$3.03¥485
33.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.10¥975
$5.65¥904
7.96%
Potato(1kg)
$2.75¥439
$3.69¥590
-25.47%
Onion(1kg)
$2.23¥357
$2.90¥464
-23.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70¥112
$1.60¥256
-56.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57¥90.4
$0.94¥151
-39.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.06¥650
$4.82¥771
-15.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.38¥1,501
$6.11¥978
53.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84¥295
$1.72¥275
6.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03¥325
$2.89¥461
-29.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.56¥250
$1.67¥268
-6.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$54.4¥8,699
$35.27¥5,642
54.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.37¥539
$4.19¥671
-19.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.38¥380
$3.77¥603
-36.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.04¥3,525
$12.74¥2,037
73.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19¥191
$1.20¥192
-0.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1K¥3.7M
$22.8K¥3.6M
1.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.2K¥2.9M
$17.0K¥2.7M
6.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$143¥22.9K
$173¥27.7K
-17.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.74¥4,437
$27.72¥4,434
0.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.75¥5,398
$32.51¥5,200
3.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.6¥8,893
$53.4¥8,547
4.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.14¥2,261
$6.76¥1,081
109.17%
Cinema Ticket
$13.57¥2,171
$12.60¥2,016
7.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$281¥45.0K
$347¥55.5K
-18.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.9K¥2.2M
$13.5K¥2.2M
2.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.98¥6,715
$48.84¥7,813
-14.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.95¥4,631
$29.28¥4,683
-1.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.6¥9,684
$72.9¥11.7K
-16.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111¥17.7K
$93.1¥14.9K
18.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$636¥101.7K
$437¥69.9K
45.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$436¥69.8K
$394¥63.1K
10.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838¥134.0K
$944¥150.9K
-11.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$525¥84.0K
$750¥119.9K
-29.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,667¥746.4K
$8,543¥1.4M
-45.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,247¥359.4K
$1,187¥189.8K
89.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kashiwa
Okinawa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,486¥397.6K
$1,292¥206.6K
92.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.05
2
2.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kashiwa: June 1, 2026
Last update for Okinawa: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $636 in Kashiwa versus $437 in Okinawa. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 92% higher in Kashiwa, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $28.00 in Kashiwa versus $41.00 in Okinawa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $279 vs $398 – making Kashiwa the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Kashiwa vs Okinawa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Kashiwa and Okinawa compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,325 in Kashiwa, $1,430 in Okinawa – roughly 8% apart. Okinawa costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Kashiwa compared to Okinawa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,987 per month in Kashiwa and $2,145 in Okinawa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Kashiwa and Okinawa?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kashiwa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kashiwa and Okinawa?
Kindergarten costs $281 per month in Kashiwa and $347 in Okinawa. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 43% more in Okinawa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kashiwa, where all-in costs run around $1,325, than in Okinawa at $1,430. In Kashiwa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Okinawa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Kashiwa and Okinawa?
It depends on your priorities. Okinawa has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,325 in Kashiwa to $1,430 in Okinawa. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Kashiwa or Okinawa safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Kashiwa and Okinawa?
If budget matters most, go with Kashiwa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Okinawa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.