🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,238 in Tokushima versus $1,346 in Osaka.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,016 in Tokushima versus $1,976 in Osaka.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,793 in Tokushima versus $2,606 in Osaka.
🌍Living in Tokushima costs roughly 8% less than in Osaka, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tokushima10% lower, Osaka2% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.83¥1,067
$6.13¥957
11.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.72¥4,800
$30.75¥4,804
-0.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.93¥770
$4.81¥751
2.49%
Cappuccino
$2.46¥385
$2.93¥458
-16.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29¥202
$1.43¥224
-9.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80¥126
$0.69¥108
15.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.05¥476
$2.63¥411
15.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14¥491
$3.64¥569
-13.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.51¥236
$1.43¥223
5.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.47¥230
$1.28¥200
14.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.18¥653
$5.25¥820
-20.38%
Eggs
$2.12¥331
$2.10¥329
0.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.73¥2,458
$9.80¥1,531
60.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.09¥1,107
$9.18¥1,435
-22.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.73¥2,614
$18.09¥2,827
-7.52%
Apples(1kg)
$8.13¥1,270
$3.38¥528
140.53%
Banana(1kg)
$3.01¥470
$1.91¥299
57.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.82¥753
$1.98¥309
143.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.30¥984
$3.89¥608
61.95%
Potato(1kg)
$3.70¥579
$1.54¥240
140.26%
Onion(1kg)
$3.82¥596
$1.17¥183
226.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.12¥175
$1.29¥201
-13.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84¥131
$0.81¥127
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.81¥595
$3.84¥600
-0.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.60¥1,500
$9.50¥1,484
1.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58¥404
$1.87¥292
37.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09¥326
$3.22¥504
-35.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.50¥234
$1.36¥213
10.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$55.3¥8,641
$31.99¥4,998
72.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.08¥481
$3.77¥589
-18.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.76¥431
$3.04¥475
-9.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$31.60¥4,937
$21.01¥3,282
50.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05¥165
$1.09¥171
-3.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K¥3.4M
$21.4K¥3.3M
1.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.9K¥2.3M
$15.1K¥2.4M
-1.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$114¥17.9K
$136¥21.3K
-15.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.70¥3,546
$23.92¥3,736
-5.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.80¥4,811
$30.63¥4,785
0.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.7¥9,172
$48.60¥7,592
20.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.52¥3,987
$17.90¥2,797
42.57%
Cinema Ticket
$11.18¥1,747
$12.04¥1,881
-7.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$567¥88.5K
$520¥81.2K
9.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K¥2.3M
$13.2K¥2.1M
11.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.54¥7,739
$44.15¥6,898
12.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.52¥5,550
$29.71¥4,641
19.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.3¥9,268
$72.6¥11.3K
-18.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.7¥15.1K
$88.8¥13.9K
8.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466¥72.9K
$699¥109.2K
-33.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$326¥50.9K
$507¥79.2K
-35.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,062¥166.0K
$1,682¥262.7K
-36.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$718¥112.2K
$761¥118.9K
-5.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,277¥668.1K
$5,636¥880.4K
-24.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,909¥298.2K
$1,822¥284.6K
4.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tokushima
Osaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,420¥221.9K
$2,245¥350.7K
-36.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
1.66
2.21
-24.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tokushima: August 31, 2026
Last update for Osaka: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $466 in Tokushima and $699 in Osaka. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Osaka pays 58% 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 Tokushima vs $31.00 in Osaka. Groceries flip the comparison at $367 vs $298, with Osaka 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
Tokushima vs Osaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tokushima and in Osaka?
Tokushima and Osaka differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($1,238 vs $1,346 including rent). Tokushima 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 58% 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 Tokushima and in Osaka?
Rent for a central apartment: $466 in Tokushima 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 Tokushima and in Osaka?
A monthly transit pass in Tokushima runs roughly 73% 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 Tokushima and Osaka?
Childcare runs $567 in Tokushima versus $520 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 $1,000 per month?
At $1,238 in Tokushima versus $1,346 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 Tokushima 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 Tokushima or Osaka safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tokushima 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: Tokushima or Osaka?
Expats usually find Tokushima gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Osaka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.