Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Shizuoka and Osaka

For one person, living is cheaper in Shizuoka: $1,138 a month against $1,362 in Osaka, rent and utilities included – about $2,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Shizuoka
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,138
/mo nomad
Osaka
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,362
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Shizuoka and in Osaka

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Shizuoka and in Osaka actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,138 in Shizuoka versus $1,362 in Osaka.

  • Shizuoka $1,138
  • Osaka $1,362

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,789 in Shizuoka versus $1,986 in Osaka.

  • Shizuoka $1,789
  • Osaka $1,986

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,441 in Shizuoka versus $2,609 in Osaka.

  • Shizuoka $2,441
  • Osaka $2,609

Living in Shizuoka costs roughly 17% less than in Osaka, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Shizuoka is 16% below, Osaka is 1% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.42 ¥1,015
$6.46 ¥1,021
-0.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.81 ¥5,026
$31.30 ¥4,945
1.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.08 ¥802
$4.90 ¥774
3.67%
Cappuccino
$2.96 ¥468
$2.96 ¥468
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97 ¥152
$1.37 ¥216
-29.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ¥119
$0.73 ¥116
4.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.75 ¥435
$2.74 ¥432
0.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83 ¥605
$3.88 ¥614
-1.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 ¥239
$1.45 ¥230
4.14%
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 ¥198
$1.29 ¥203
-3.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.49 ¥709
$5.29 ¥835
-15.12%
Eggs
$1.83 ¥289
$2.04 ¥323
-10.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.11 ¥1,123
$9.63 ¥1,522
-26.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.40 ¥853
$9.43 ¥1,489
-42.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.11 ¥2,229
$18.22 ¥2,878
-22.56%
Apples (1kg)
$3.29 ¥519
$3.31 ¥523
-0.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.93 ¥305
$1.93 ¥305
-
Oranges (1kg)
$3.42 ¥541
$2.03 ¥321
68.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.13 ¥495
$4.14 ¥654
-24.40%
Potato (1kg)
$1.51 ¥239
$1.52 ¥240
-0.66%
Onion (1kg)
$1.13 ¥179
$1.18 ¥187
-4.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.11 ¥176
$1.37 ¥216
-18.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 ¥135
$0.80 ¥126
7.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.86 ¥610
$3.86 ¥611
-
Wine (Bottle)
$8.70 ¥1,375
$9.54 ¥1,507
-8.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48 ¥233
$1.94 ¥307
-23.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 ¥512
$3.07 ¥485
5.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.79 ¥283
$1.34 ¥212
33.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.9 ¥8,514
$32.00 ¥5,055
68.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.46 ¥546
$3.87 ¥611
-10.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.86 ¥293
$3.21 ¥507
-42.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.01 ¥3,003
$21.07 ¥3,328
-9.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04 ¥165
$1.06 ¥167
-1.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K ¥3.4M
$21.5K ¥3.4M
0.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.3K ¥2.4M
$14.9K ¥2.4M
2.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$138 ¥21.8K
$138 ¥21.7K
0.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.18 ¥2,398
$24.11 ¥3,809
-37.04%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.16 ¥4,764
$30.75 ¥4,857
-1.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.6 ¥8,316
$50.6 ¥7,997
3.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.82 ¥1,709
$18.49 ¥2,921
-41.48%
Cinema Ticket
$12.21 ¥1,928
$11.74 ¥1,855
4.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$320 ¥50.5K
$513 ¥81.0K
-37.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.3K ¥2.1M
$13.2K ¥2.1M
0.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.49 ¥2,921
$47.11 ¥7,442
-60.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.38 ¥3,378
$30.51 ¥4,820
-29.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.6 ¥9,725
$71.6 ¥11.3K
-14.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.5 ¥14.3K
$90.5 ¥14.3K
0.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$331 ¥52.3K
$698 ¥110.3K
-52.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$333 ¥52.6K
$498 ¥78.6K
-33.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,084 ¥171.2K
$1,687 ¥266.5K
-35.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$731 ¥115.5K
$755 ¥119.3K
-3.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,146 ¥655.0K
$6,157 ¥972.7K
-32.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,741 ¥275.0K
$1,964 ¥310.3K
-11.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shizuoka
Osaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,232 ¥352.7K
$2,386 ¥377.0K
-6.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1
2.21
-54.75%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Shizuoka: October 11, 2026

Last update for Osaka: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Shizuoka
$333
Osaka
$498 49.6% $165
Groceries & Markets
Shizuoka
$254
Osaka
$301 18.7% $48
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shizuoka
$183
Osaka
$192 5% $9.1
Eating Out
Shizuoka
$131
Osaka
$132 1% $1.3
Clothing & Footwear
Shizuoka
$86
Osaka
$108 24.8% $21
Sport & Entertainment
Shizuoka
$77
Osaka
$74 3.8% $3
Getting Around
Shizuoka
$74
Osaka
$57 22.4% $17

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $331 in Shizuoka and $698 in Osaka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Osaka pays 7% 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: $32.00 in Shizuoka vs $31.00 in Osaka. Groceries flip the comparison at $254 vs $301, with Shizuoka cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇯🇵 Shizuoka
🇯🇵 Osaka
🕒 Local time
16:21 4:21 PM
16:21 4:21 PM
Same time as Shizuoka
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
701,803
2,691,185
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to JPY – Japanese Yen Converter

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

On the map
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  • Shizuoka Osaka 260 km
From you
  • Shizuoka
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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
Shizuoka vs Osaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Shizuoka and in Osaka?
Shizuoka and Osaka differ by about 20% in total monthly costs ($1,138 vs $1,362 including rent). Shizuoka is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 7% lower in Osaka. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Shizuoka and in Osaka?
Rent for a central apartment: $331 in Shizuoka versus $698 in Osaka. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Shizuoka and in Osaka?
A monthly transit pass in Shizuoka runs roughly 68% 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 Shizuoka and Osaka?
Childcare runs $320 in Shizuoka versus $513 in Osaka. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,138 in Shizuoka versus $1,362 in Osaka, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Shizuoka but tight or insufficient in Osaka. The gap between the two cities makes Shizuoka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Shizuoka and Osaka?
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 Shizuoka or Osaka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Shizuoka and Osaka 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: Shizuoka or Osaka?
Expats usually find Shizuoka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Osaka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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