😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,371 in Osaka versus $1,366 in Tokushima.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,038 in Osaka versus $2,107 in Tokushima.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,705 in Osaka versus $2,849 in Tokushima.
😐Monthly costs are close between Osaka and Tokushima; which city is cheaper depends on the spending category.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Osaka2% above, Tokushima2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.95¥1,112
$8.20¥1,312
-15.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.58¥5,531
$34.69¥5,549
-0.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.98¥797
$6.07¥971
-17.96%
Cappuccino
$3.33¥532
$2.97¥475
12.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08¥173
$1.15¥183
-6.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76¥122
$0.70¥112
8.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.74¥438
$3.51¥562
-21.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35¥695
$3.05¥488
42.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61¥257
$1.68¥269
-4.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43¥229
$1.72¥276
-16.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.86¥778
$4.91¥786
-1.02%
Eggs
$2.46¥393
$2.53¥404
-2.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.43¥1,669
$17.18¥2,748
-39.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.38¥1,021
$7.42¥1,186
-14.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.61¥2,977
$15.18¥2,428
22.60%
Apples(1kg)
$3.53¥564
$8.89¥1,423
-60.29%
Banana(1kg)
$2.19¥350
$2.88¥461
-23.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.48¥397
$4.79¥767
-48.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.31¥689
$6.88¥1,100
-37.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69¥271
$3.95¥632
-57.22%
Onion(1kg)
$1.28¥205
$2.68¥429
-52.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39¥222
$1.38¥220
0.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85¥136
$0.92¥147
-7.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.93¥629
$3.42¥547
14.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27¥1,482
$9.47¥1,514
-2.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.13¥340
$2.73¥436
-21.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99¥479
$2.36¥377
26.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.61¥258
$1.64¥263
-1.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.32¥5,810
$55.6¥8,886
-34.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.56¥729
$3.37¥540
35.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.31¥530
$2.96¥473
11.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.95¥3,830
$34.15¥5,462
-29.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19¥191
$1.22¥195
-2.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6K¥3.8M
$23.5K¥3.8M
0.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9K¥2.7M
$17.2K¥2.7M
-1.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$135¥21.6K
$139¥22.3K
-3.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.60¥4,415
$27.05¥4,327
2.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.37¥4,858
$34.04¥5,445
-10.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.1¥9,460
$65.1¥10.4K
-9.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.39¥3,262
$13.63¥2,181
49.60%
Cinema Ticket
$12.36¥1,978
$12.44¥1,991
-0.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$68.1¥10.9K
$481¥76.9K
-85.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5K¥1.7M
$11.3K¥1.8M
-7.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.08¥7,050
$46.59¥7,452
-5.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.47¥4,713
$31.99¥5,116
-7.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.2¥10.8K
$55.4¥8,866
21.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.8¥15.2K
$92.3¥14.8K
2.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$717¥114.7K
$460¥73.6K
55.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$483¥77.2K
$331¥52.9K
46.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,311¥209.6K
$867¥138.7K
51.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$807¥129.0K
$647¥103.6K
24.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,951¥951.8K
$4,608¥737.1K
29.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,055¥328.6K
$2,379¥380.5K
-13.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Osaka
Tokushima
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,944¥310.9K
$1,384¥221.3K
40.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
1.81
1.78
1.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Osaka: May 30, 2026
Last update for Tokushima: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $717 in Osaka and $460 in Tokushima. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Osaka pays 40% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.
🛒Dining out: $35.00 in Osaka vs $35.00 in Tokushima for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $299 vs $384 per month, with Osaka 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
Osaka vs Tokushima: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays better: Osaka or Tokushima?
Osaka pays 40% more on average, 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 Tokushima?
Rent for a central apartment: $717 in Osaka versus $460 in Tokushima. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Osaka and Tokushima?
Childcare runs $68.1 in Osaka versus $481 in Tokushima. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Tokushima – a meal for two runs $35.00 versus $35.00 in Osaka. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,366 in Tokushima versus $1,371 in Osaka, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Tokushima but tight or insufficient in Osaka. The gap between the two cities makes Tokushima the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Osaka and Tokushima?
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 Tokushima safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Osaka and Tokushima are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
How do I decide between Osaka and Tokushima?
It comes down to priorities – Tokushima wins on affordability, Osaka on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.