Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Takamatsu and Osaka

For one person, living is cheaper in Takamatsu: $1,191 a month against $1,378 in Osaka, rent and utilities included – about $2,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Takamatsu
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,191
/mo nomad
Osaka
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,378
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Takamatsu 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 Takamatsu and in Osaka actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,191 in Takamatsu versus $1,378 in Osaka.

  • Takamatsu $1,191
  • Osaka $1,378

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,881 in Takamatsu versus $2,005 in Osaka.

  • Takamatsu $1,881
  • Osaka $2,005

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,571 in Takamatsu versus $2,632 in Osaka.

  • Takamatsu $2,571
  • Osaka $2,632

Living in Takamatsu costs roughly 14% less than in Osaka, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Takamatsu is 12% below, Osaka is 2% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.20 ¥980
$6.25 ¥987
-0.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.99 ¥5,054
$31.70 ¥5,008
0.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.12 ¥809
$4.90 ¥774
4.49%
Cappuccino
$3.13 ¥495
$2.95 ¥466
6.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 ¥189
$1.44 ¥228
-17.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 ¥126
$0.75 ¥119
6.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.60 ¥410
$2.65 ¥419
-1.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 ¥508
$3.87 ¥611
-16.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ¥238
$1.44 ¥227
4.17%
White Bread (500g)
$1.60 ¥252
$1.34 ¥211
19.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.76 ¥278
$5.25 ¥830
-66.48%
Eggs
$2.29 ¥361
$2.14 ¥338
7.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.37 ¥1,639
$9.33 ¥1,475
11.15%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.60 ¥1,043
$9.22 ¥1,456
-28.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.83 ¥2,659
$18.39 ¥2,906
-8.48%
Apples (1kg)
$3.69 ¥583
$3.43 ¥541
7.58%
Banana (1kg)
$2.28 ¥360
$1.92 ¥303
18.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.90 ¥458
$1.99 ¥314
45.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.24 ¥671
$4.05 ¥640
4.69%
Potato (1kg)
$2.48 ¥391
$1.56 ¥247
58.97%
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 ¥389
$1.17 ¥185
110.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.27 ¥201
$1.30 ¥205
-2.31%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79 ¥124
$0.88 ¥139
-10.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.67 ¥580
$4.00 ¥631
-8.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.63 ¥1,048
$9.60 ¥1,517
-30.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 ¥298
$1.95 ¥308
-3.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 ¥333
$3.24 ¥512
-34.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.46 ¥231
$1.39 ¥219
5.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.3 ¥8,414
$32.34 ¥5,109
64.69%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.18 ¥503
$3.69 ¥583
-13.82%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.79 ¥442
$3.07 ¥486
-9.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$18.60 ¥2,938
$21.76 ¥3,437
-14.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 ¥168
$1.09 ¥173
-2.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K ¥3.4M
$22.3K ¥3.5M
-3.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.1K ¥2.4M
$15.1K ¥2.4M
-0.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$137 ¥21.6K
$139 ¥22.0K
-1.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.78 ¥3,757
$24.50 ¥3,870
-2.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.79 ¥4,865
$30.67 ¥4,846
0.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.7 ¥8,161
$49.03 ¥7,746
5.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.11 ¥491
$18.06 ¥2,853
-82.78%
Cinema Ticket
$11.79 ¥1,862
$12.72 ¥2,010
-7.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$521 ¥82.3K
$510 ¥80.5K
2.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.7K ¥2.0M
$12.9K ¥2.0M
-1.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.96 ¥7,736
$48.57 ¥7,673
0.80%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.24 ¥4,936
$30.98 ¥4,894
0.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.1 ¥9,499
$74.2 ¥11.7K
-18.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.5 ¥14.3K
$91.5 ¥14.5K
-1.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$529 ¥83.6K
$699 ¥110.5K
-24.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$334 ¥52.8K
$510 ¥80.6K
-34.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,089 ¥172.0K
$1,710 ¥270.1K
-36.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$735 ¥116.1K
$772 ¥122.0K
-4.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,144 ¥654.7K
$6,183 ¥976.8K
-32.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,783 ¥281.6K
$1,908 ¥301.4K
-6.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Takamatsu
Osaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,761 ¥278.1K
$2,424 ¥382.9K
-27.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.21
2.21
-

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

Last update for Takamatsu: October 20, 2026

Last update for Osaka: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Takamatsu
$334
Osaka
$510 52.7% $176
Groceries & Markets
Takamatsu
$280
Osaka
$302 7.5% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Takamatsu
$191
Osaka
$194 1.5% $3
Eating Out
Takamatsu
$130
Osaka
$130 0.1% $0.1
Clothing & Footwear
Takamatsu
$104
Osaka
$110 6.2% $6.5
Getting Around
Takamatsu
$76
Osaka
$57 25.3% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Takamatsu
$75
Osaka
$74 1% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $529 in Takamatsu and $699 in Osaka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Osaka pays 38% 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 Takamatsu vs $32.00 in Osaka for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $280 vs $302 per month, with Takamatsu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇯🇵 Takamatsu
🇯🇵 Osaka
🕒 Local time
10:59 10:59 AM
10:59 10:59 AM
Same time as Takamatsu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
426,514
2,691,185
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to JPY – Japanese Yen Converter

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Takamatsu Osaka 140 km
From you
  • Takamatsu
  • Osaka

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Takamatsu vs Osaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Takamatsu and in Osaka?
Takamatsu and Osaka differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($1,191 vs $1,378 including rent). Takamatsu 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 38% 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 Takamatsu and in Osaka?
Rent for a central apartment: $529 in Takamatsu versus $699 in Osaka. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Takamatsu and in Osaka?
A monthly transit pass in Takamatsu runs roughly 65% 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 Takamatsu and Osaka?
Childcare runs $521 in Takamatsu versus $510 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 $2,000 per month?
At $1,191 in Takamatsu versus $1,378 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 Takamatsu 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 Takamatsu or Osaka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Takamatsu 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: Takamatsu or Osaka?
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.

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