😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,437 in Okinawa versus $1,212 in Fukuyama.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,214 in Okinawa versus $1,901 in Fukuyama.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,992 in Okinawa versus $2,591 in Fukuyama.
🌍Living in Okinawa is roughly 19% more expensive than in Fukuyama, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Okinawa is 8% above, Fukuyama is 9% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.18¥1,329
$10.49¥1,704
-22.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.94¥6,815
$34.16¥5,550
22.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.98¥971
$5.46¥886
9.52%
Cappuccino
$3.34¥543
$3.42¥555
-2.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32¥215
$0.88¥143
50.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93¥152
$0.78¥127
19.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.50¥569
$3.53¥574
-0.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.91¥797
$6.64¥1,078
-26.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.95¥317
$1.06¥172
83.96%
White Bread(500g)
$2.37¥385
$0.94¥153
152.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.87¥791
$3.20¥520
52.19%
Eggs
$2.00¥325
$2.27¥369
-11.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.39¥2,663
$9.51¥1,544
72.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.84¥1,761
$3.86¥627
180.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$26.48¥4,303
$13.93¥2,264
90.09%
Apples(1kg)
$5.06¥822
$5.38¥875
-5.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.59¥420
$2.48¥404
4.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.13¥509
$6.59¥1,071
-52.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.64¥916
$4.05¥658
39.26%
Potato(1kg)
$3.50¥568
$1.59¥258
120.13%
Onion(1kg)
$2.89¥469
$2.25¥365
28.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.59¥258
$1.07¥174
48.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88¥143
$0.43¥70.6
104.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.92¥799
$4.05¥658
21.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.09¥989
$7.51¥1,220
-18.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73¥281
$1.78¥290
-2.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91¥473
$3.52¥571
-17.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.63¥265
$1.62¥263
0.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.91¥5,673
$55.2¥8,967
-36.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.11¥668
$3.52¥572
16.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.62¥587
$3.25¥528
11.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.58¥2,044
$18.09¥2,939
-30.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24¥202
$1.11¥180
11.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.3K¥3.8M
$13.8K¥2.2M
69.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.7K¥2.7M
$17.3K¥2.8M
-3.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$173¥28.2K
$111¥18.0K
56.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.25¥4,428
$20.85¥3,387
30.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.66¥5,145
$33.12¥5,382
-4.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.7¥8,723
$56.9¥9,244
-5.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.04¥1,144
$14.01¥2,277
-49.75%
Cinema Ticket
$12.45¥2,022
$13.31¥2,163
-6.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$346¥56.2K
$375¥60.9K
-7.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.2K¥2.1M
$7,301¥1.2M
80.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.75¥7,758
$41.07¥6,673
16.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.25¥4,753
$34.34¥5,579
-14.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.5¥11.9K
$70.6¥11.5K
4.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.9¥14.8K
$102¥16.6K
-11.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445¥72.2K
$464¥75.4K
-4.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$400¥64.9K
$330¥53.7K
20.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$946¥153.7K
$861¥139.8K
9.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$748¥121.5K
$656¥106.6K
14.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,584¥1.4M
$4,937¥802.1K
73.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,221¥198.4K
$1,926¥312.9K
-36.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,769¥287.4K
$1,381¥224.4K
28.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
1
100.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Okinawa: July 13, 2026
Last update for Fukuyama: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $445 in Okinawa and $464 in Fukuyama. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Okinawa pays 28% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $42.00 in Okinawa vs $34.00 in Fukuyama for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $395 vs $270 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
Okinawa vs Fukuyama: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Okinawa or Fukuyama?
Fukuyama wins on cost – living expenses run 19% 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 Okinawa or in Fukuyama?
Average pay runs 28% higher in Okinawa, 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 Okinawa compared to Fukuyama?
Rent for a central apartment: $445 in Okinawa versus $464 in Fukuyama. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Okinawa and in Fukuyama?
Childcare runs $346 in Okinawa versus $375 in Fukuyama. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Okinawa or in Fukuyama?
Supermarket bills run roughly 46% 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 Okinawa or in Fukuyama?
At $1,212 in Fukuyama versus $1,437 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: Okinawa or Fukuyama?
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 Okinawa compared to Fukuyama?
Safety-wise, Okinawa and Fukuyama 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 19% less than in Okinawa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.