😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,393 in Osaka versus $1,216 in Tsushima Island.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,070 in Osaka versus $1,898 in Tsushima Island.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,747 in Osaka versus $2,580 in Tsushima Island.
🌍Living in Osaka is roughly 15% more expensive than in Tsushima Island, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Osaka is 2% above, Tsushima Island is 11% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.65¥1,044
$6.85¥1,075
-2.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.08¥5,032
$34.32¥5,383
-6.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.25¥823
$5.52¥866
-4.89%
Cappuccino
$3.05¥478
$3.05¥479
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41¥221
$1.09¥171
29.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70¥109
$0.80¥126
-12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.79¥438
$2.07¥325
34.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88¥608
$3.16¥496
22.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48¥232
$1.54¥241
-3.90%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31¥206
$1.60¥251
-18.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.49¥862
$4.81¥754
14.14%
Eggs
$2.07¥325
$2.23¥350
-7.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.84¥1,543
$10.02¥1,572
-1.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.68¥1,518
$6.46¥1,013
49.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.58¥2,915
$15.35¥2,408
21.04%
Apples(1kg)
$3.43¥538
$5.35¥838
-35.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04¥320
$2.62¥411
-22.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13¥333
$4.05¥635
-47.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.18¥655
$4.62¥725
-9.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.60¥251
$3.33¥522
-51.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21¥190
$2.69¥422
-55.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36¥213
$1.32¥207
3.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80¥126
$0.89¥140
-10.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.00¥628
$4.19¥657
-4.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.49¥1,488
$6.62¥1,038
43.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00¥314
$2.00¥314
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20¥502
$2.39¥374
33.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.41¥221
$1.66¥260
-15.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.84¥5,151
$54.5¥8,554
-39.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.93¥617
$3.41¥535
15.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.20¥502
$2.87¥449
11.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.17¥3,477
$20.83¥3,267
6.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13¥177
$1.18¥186
-4.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.4K¥3.5M
$22.8K¥3.6M
-1.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.6K¥2.4M
$17.3K¥2.7M
-10.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140¥21.9K
$139¥21.8K
0.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.68¥3,872
$27.55¥4,321
-10.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.03¥4,868
$33.49¥5,252
-7.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.1¥8,326
$57.6¥9,030
-7.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04¥2,986
$13.94¥2,186
36.59%
Cinema Ticket
$12.30¥1,929
$13.12¥2,058
-6.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$529¥83.0K
$284¥44.5K
86.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3K¥2.1M
$13.5K¥2.1M
-1.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.93¥7,676
$44.05¥6,909
11.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.85¥4,996
$28.97¥4,543
9.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.1¥11.9K
$60.2¥9,438
26.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.3¥14.8K
$92.1¥14.4K
2.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$728¥114.2K
$466¥73.1K
56.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$512¥80.3K
$330¥51.8K
55.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,753¥274.9K
$852¥133.7K
105.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$778¥122.1K
$660¥103.5K
17.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,376¥1.0M
$2,859¥448.4K
123.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,959¥307.2K
$1,775¥278.4K
10.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Osaka
Tsushima Island
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,342¥367.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.21
1.81
22.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Osaka: September 13, 2026
Last update for Tsushima Island: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $728 in Osaka and $466 in Tsushima Island. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Osaka vs $34.00 in Tsushima Island for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $308 vs $309 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 Tsushima Island: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Osaka and in Tsushima Island?
Osaka and Tsushima Island differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($1,393 vs $1,216 including rent). Tsushima Island is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Osaka compared to Tsushima Island?
You'd need roughly $2,089 in Osaka and $1,824 in Tsushima Island to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Osaka and in Tsushima Island?
Rent for a central apartment: $728 in Osaka versus $466 in Tsushima Island. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Osaka and in Tsushima Island?
A monthly transit pass in Tsushima Island runs roughly 66% 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 Tsushima Island?
Childcare runs $529 in Osaka versus $284 in Tsushima Island. 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 $1,216 in Tsushima Island versus $1,393 in Osaka, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tsushima Island but tight or insufficient in Osaka. The gap between the two cities makes Tsushima Island the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Osaka and Tsushima Island?
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 Tsushima Island safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Osaka and Tsushima Island 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 Tsushima Island?
Expats usually find Tsushima Island gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Osaka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.