😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,385 in Okinawa versus $1,130 in Fukuyama.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,168 in Okinawa versus $1,811 in Fukuyama.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,950 in Okinawa versus $2,492 in Fukuyama.
🌍Living in Okinawa is roughly 23% more expensive than in Fukuyama, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Okinawa is 1% above, Fukuyama is 18% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.17¥1,589
$7.44¥1,163
36.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.19¥6,278
$31.00¥4,842
29.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.98¥1,090
$5.13¥801
36.06%
Cappuccino
$4.17¥651
$3.35¥523
24.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47¥230
$0.83¥129
77.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93¥146
$0.52¥81.7
78.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.04¥319
$1.94¥302
5.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32¥675
$3.20¥499
35.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55¥242
$0.97¥152
59.79%
White Bread(500g)
$2.12¥332
$0.84¥132
152.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.76¥588
$5.86¥915
-35.84%
Eggs
$1.76¥275
$2.07¥323
-14.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.00¥2,812
$8.75¥1,367
105.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.78¥747
$3.39¥530
41.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.13¥3,457
$10.85¥1,695
103.96%
Apples(1kg)
$3.66¥572
$5.11¥798
-28.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.66¥415
$2.27¥355
17.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.14¥334
$5.11¥798
-58.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.19¥811
$3.63¥567
42.98%
Potato(1kg)
$2.38¥371
$1.84¥287
29.35%
Onion(1kg)
$2.55¥398
$1.68¥263
51.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29¥201
$0.96¥150
34.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78¥122
$0.39¥61.7
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84¥601
$3.94¥616
-2.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.23¥973
$7.57¥1,183
-17.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95¥305
$1.56¥244
25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16¥494
$3.20¥500
-1.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43¥223
$1.45¥227
-1.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$64.6¥10.1K
$56.7¥8,859
13.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.73¥583
$3.25¥508
14.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.48¥544
$3.79¥591
-8.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.36¥1,774
$20.29¥3,170
-44.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05¥164
$1.00¥157
5.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K¥3.2M
$12.3K¥1.9M
67.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.8K¥2.3M
$15.2K¥2.4M
-2.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158¥24.8K
$99.7¥15.6K
58.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.07¥3,916
$19.06¥2,977
31.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.2¥8,309
$29.00¥4,530
83.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$71.8¥11.2K
$49.74¥7,770
44.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$54.2¥8,461
$1.93¥301
2706.22%
Cinema Ticket
$12.09¥1,889
$12.39¥1,935
-2.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$324¥50.6K
$650¥101.6K
-50.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,516¥861.6K
$6,566¥1.0M
-16.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.91¥7,797
$36.90¥5,765
35.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.70¥3,546
$30.71¥4,798
-26.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.0¥12.3K
$63.6¥9,938
24.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.0¥14.8K
$100¥15.7K
-5.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$398¥62.2K
$486¥75.9K
-18.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$317¥49.6K
$326¥50.9K
-2.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$828¥129.3K
$929¥145.1K
-10.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653¥102.0K
$730¥114.0K
-10.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,509¥1.3M
$4,258¥665.2K
99.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,199¥187.2K
$1,863¥291.0K
-35.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Okinawa
Fukuyama
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,819¥284.2K
$1,354¥211.5K
34.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.23
1
123.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Okinawa: August 30, 2026
Last update for Fukuyama: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $398 in Okinawa and $486 in Fukuyama. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Okinawa pays 34% 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: $40.00 in Okinawa vs $31.00 in Fukuyama for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $327 vs $250 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 23% 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 34% 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: $398 in Okinawa versus $486 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 $324 in Okinawa versus $650 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 31% 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 $1,130 in Fukuyama versus $1,385 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 23% less than in Okinawa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.