😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,346 in Osaka versus $1,163 in Takamatsu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,976 in Osaka versus $1,855 in Takamatsu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,606 in Osaka versus $2,548 in Takamatsu.
🌍Living in Osaka is roughly 16% more expensive than in Takamatsu, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Osaka2% lower, Takamatsu15% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.13¥957
$6.23¥973
-1.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.75¥4,804
$34.01¥5,313
-9.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.81¥751
$5.14¥803
-6.42%
Cappuccino
$2.93¥458
$3.28¥512
-10.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43¥224
$1.09¥170
31.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69¥108
$0.67¥104
2.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.63¥411
$2.66¥416
-1.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64¥569
$3.06¥477
18.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43¥223
$1.41¥220
1.42%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28¥200
$1.46¥228
-12.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.25¥820
$1.69¥264
210.65%
Eggs
$2.10¥329
$2.20¥344
-4.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.80¥1,531
$11.40¥1,780
-14.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.18¥1,435
$6.11¥955
50.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.09¥2,827
$16.84¥2,630
7.42%
Apples(1kg)
$3.38¥528
$5.09¥795
-33.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.91¥299
$2.26¥353
-15.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98¥309
$3.14¥491
-36.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.89¥608
$4.21¥658
-7.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54¥240
$2.56¥400
-39.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17¥183
$2.25¥352
-48.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29¥201
$1.27¥198
1.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81¥127
$0.83¥129
-2.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84¥600
$3.78¥590
1.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.50¥1,484
$7.41¥1,158
28.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87¥292
$1.86¥291
0.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22¥504
$2.14¥334
50.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.36¥213
$1.45¥227
-6.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.99¥4,998
$54.0¥8,441
-40.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.77¥589
$2.99¥467
26.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.04¥475
$2.76¥431
10.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$21.01¥3,282
$19.29¥3,014
8.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09¥171
$1.06¥165
2.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K¥3.3M
$19.9K¥3.1M
7.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.1K¥2.4M
$12.9K¥2.0M
17.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$136¥21.3K
$131¥20.5K
3.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.92¥3,736
$24.19¥3,780
-1.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.63¥4,785
$30.52¥4,768
0.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.60¥7,592
$51.3¥8,009
-5.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.90¥2,797
$3.18¥497
462.89%
Cinema Ticket
$12.04¥1,881
$11.84¥1,850
1.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$520¥81.2K
$572¥89.4K
-9.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.2K¥2.1M
$12.2K¥1.9M
7.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.15¥6,898
$55.1¥8,604
-19.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.71¥4,641
$31.12¥4,862
-4.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.6¥11.3K
$55.4¥8,651
31.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.8¥13.9K
$94.0¥14.7K
-5.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$699¥109.2K
$411¥64.3K
69.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507¥79.2K
$296¥46.2K
71.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,682¥262.7K
$1,005¥157.0K
67.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$761¥118.9K
$774¥120.9K
-1.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,636¥880.4K
$4,272¥667.4K
31.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,822¥284.6K
$1,920¥300.0K
-5.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Osaka
Takamatsu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,245¥350.7K
$1,731¥270.4K
29.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.21
2.06
7.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Osaka: August 30, 2026
Last update for Takamatsu: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $699 in Osaka and $411 in Takamatsu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Osaka pays 30% 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: $31.00 in Osaka vs $34.00 in Takamatsu. Groceries flip the comparison at $298 vs $288, with Takamatsu cheaper for home cooking.
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
Osaka vs Takamatsu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Osaka and in Takamatsu?
Osaka and Takamatsu differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($1,346 vs $1,163 including rent). Takamatsu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Osaka or Takamatsu?
Average pay runs 30% higher in Osaka, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Osaka and in Takamatsu?
Rent for a central apartment: $699 in Osaka versus $411 in Takamatsu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Osaka and in Takamatsu?
A monthly transit pass in Takamatsu runs roughly 69% less than in Osaka. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Osaka and Takamatsu?
Childcare runs $520 in Osaka versus $572 in Takamatsu. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,163 in Takamatsu versus $1,346 in Osaka, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Takamatsu but tight or insufficient in Osaka. The gap between the two cities makes Takamatsu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Osaka and Takamatsu?
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.
Is Osaka or Takamatsu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Osaka and Takamatsu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Osaka or Takamatsu?
Expats usually find Takamatsu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Osaka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.