Cost of Living Comparison Between Okinawa and NahaCost of Living Comparison Between Okinawa and Naha
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $1,436 per month in Okinawa vs $1,460 in Naha, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,236 per month in Okinawa vs $2,073 in Naha, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,037 per month in Okinawa vs $2,685 in Naha, rent included.
🙂Okinawa is about 2% cheaper than Naha, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Okinawa and Naha sit above the global median – Okinawa by 4%, Naha by 6%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.17¥1,562
$4.96¥762
105.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.22¥6,483
$29.83¥4,580
41.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25¥1,113
$4.96¥762
46.17%
Cappuccino
$4.20¥644
$3.11¥478
35.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52¥233
$1.25¥192
21.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97¥149
$0.85¥130
14.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.11¥324
$1.98¥304
6.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.62¥709
$4.01¥616
15.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.66¥256
$1.62¥249
2.47%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10¥322
$2.12¥325
-0.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.00¥615
$3.69¥567
8.40%
Eggs
$1.87¥288
$1.81¥278
3.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.33¥2,815
$18.03¥2,769
1.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.08¥781
$4.68¥718
8.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.99¥3,531
$22.14¥3,400
3.84%
Apples(1kg)
$3.76¥577
$3.61¥554
4.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.68¥412
$2.56¥394
4.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27¥349
$2.16¥332
5.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.38¥827
$5.07¥779
6.11%
Potato(1kg)
$2.55¥391
$2.45¥376
4.08%
Onion(1kg)
$2.53¥388
$2.52¥387
0.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34¥205
$1.24¥190
8.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81¥125
$0.72¥110
12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.99¥612
$3.86¥593
3.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.33¥972
$6.14¥942
3.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01¥309
$1.96¥300
2.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43¥527
$3.20¥491
7.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.51¥232
$1.49¥229
1.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$67.6¥10.4K
$56.5¥8,674
19.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.79¥582
$3.84¥590
-1.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.47¥532
$3.53¥543
-1.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.86¥1,821
$11.34¥1,741
4.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14¥175
$1.07¥164
6.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K¥3.3M
$20.5K¥3.1M
5.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.5K¥2.4M
$14.8K¥2.3M
4.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$166¥25.5K
$94.5¥14.5K
75.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.25¥3,877
$24.33¥3,735
3.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.3¥8,344
$53.1¥8,146
2.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$73.6¥11.3K
$50.2¥7,714
46.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$57.5¥8,832
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.27¥1,885
$11.90¥1,827
3.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$346¥53.1K
$334¥51.2K
3.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,652¥867.9K
$5,554¥852.8K
1.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.8¥7,795
$48.70¥7,478
4.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.35¥3,739
$22.92¥3,520
6.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.1¥12.9K
$80.2¥12.3K
4.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.5¥15.0K
$94.2¥14.5K
3.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$409¥62.9K
$711¥109.2K
-42.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$331¥50.9K
$567¥87.0K
-41.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$862¥132.4K
$1,080¥165.9K
-20.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$698¥107.2K
$736¥113.1K
-5.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,819¥1.4M
$4,270¥655.7K
106.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,241¥190.5K
$1,915¥294.0K
-35.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Okinawa
Naha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,890¥290.2K
$925¥142.0K
104.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.23
2.23
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Okinawa: September 5, 2026
Last update for Naha: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $409 in Okinawa versus $711 in Naha. 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 104% higher in Okinawa, 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 $42.00 in Okinawa versus $30.00 in Naha. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $339 vs $325 – making Naha 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
Okinawa vs Naha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Okinawa or Naha?
Naha costs about 2% more than Okinawa, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Okinawa and in Naha?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,153 per month in Okinawa and $2,190 in Naha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Okinawa or Naha?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Okinawa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Okinawa and in Naha?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Okinawa and $30.00 in Naha. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Okinawa compared to Naha?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,436 in Okinawa and $1,460 in Naha. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Okinawa or in Naha?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Okinawa, where all-in costs run around $1,436, than in Naha at $1,460. In Okinawa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Naha it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Okinawa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Okinawa compared to Naha?
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.
Should I move to Okinawa or to Naha?
If budget matters most, go with Okinawa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Naha makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.