Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tsu and Okinawa

For one person, living is cheaper in Tsu: $1,287 a month against $1,388 in Okinawa, rent and utilities included – about $1,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Tsu, Japan
Okinawa, Japan
Tsu
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,287
/mo nomad
Okinawa
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,388
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tsu and in Okinawa

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

A single person spends $1,287 per month in Tsu vs $1,388 in Okinawa, rent included.

  • Tsu $1,287
  • Okinawa $1,388

A couple spends around $1,999 per month in Tsu vs $2,184 in Okinawa, rent included.

  • Tsu $1,999
  • Okinawa $2,184

A family of three spends $2,710 per month in Tsu vs $2,980 in Okinawa, rent included.

  • Tsu $2,710
  • Okinawa $2,980

Tsu is about 7% cheaper than Okinawa, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Tsu sits 5% below the global median, while Okinawa is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.22 ¥982
$10.12 ¥1,598
-38.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.49 ¥2,763
$40.24 ¥6,355
-56.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.91 ¥617
$7.04 ¥1,112
-44.46%
Cappuccino
$2.34 ¥369
$4.11 ¥649
-43.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14 ¥181
$1.40 ¥221
-18.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58 ¥90.9
$0.92 ¥145
-36.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.10 ¥331
$2.51 ¥396
-16.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 ¥372
$5.27 ¥832
-55.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 ¥249
$1.58 ¥249
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.28 ¥203
$2.05 ¥324
-37.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.63 ¥889
$3.76 ¥594
49.73%
Eggs
$2.02 ¥319
$1.84 ¥290
9.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.56 ¥1,984
$17.99 ¥2,842
-30.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.77 ¥1,543
$4.79 ¥757
103.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$32.52 ¥5,135
$22.45 ¥3,546
44.86%
Apples (1kg)
$3.68 ¥581
$3.81 ¥602
-3.41%
Banana (1kg)
$2.29 ¥362
$2.62 ¥413
-12.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.41 ¥1,012
$2.20 ¥347
191.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.17 ¥659
$5.26 ¥831
-20.72%
Potato (1kg)
$3.84 ¥607
$2.39 ¥377
60.67%
Onion (1kg)
$3.47 ¥548
$2.56 ¥404
35.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.30 ¥205
$1.28 ¥201
1.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03 ¥163
$0.77 ¥122
33.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.53 ¥558
$3.90 ¥617
-9.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.37 ¥1,322
$6.40 ¥1,011
30.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.04 ¥323
$1.95 ¥308
4.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47 ¥233
$3.34 ¥528
-55.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 ¥234
$1.44 ¥227
2.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.5 ¥8,926
$65.1 ¥10.3K
-13.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 ¥509
$3.82 ¥603
-15.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.22 ¥509
$3.54 ¥559
-9.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.97 ¥4,259
$11.23 ¥1,773
140.16%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.04 ¥164
$1.11 ¥175
-6.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0K ¥3.0M
$20.9K ¥3.3M
-9.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.7K ¥2.6M
$15.5K ¥2.5M
7.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$145 ¥22.8K
$163 ¥25.7K
-11.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.21 ¥3,824
$25.35 ¥4,004
-4.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.47 ¥6,866
$53.1 ¥8,382
-18.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.3 ¥8,107
$73.0 ¥11.5K
-29.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.93 ¥2,042
$54.9 ¥8,673
-76.46%
Cinema Ticket
$8.34 ¥1,317
$11.98 ¥1,893
-30.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$322 ¥50.8K
$327 ¥51.7K
-1.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,217 ¥981.8K
$5,668 ¥895.1K
9.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.15 ¥7,762
$48.88 ¥7,720
0.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.83 ¥4,079
$23.35 ¥3,688
10.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.87 ¥7,403
$81.2 ¥12.8K
-42.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.4 ¥10.3K
$95.7 ¥15.1K
-31.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$544 ¥85.9K
$411 ¥65.0K
32.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$342 ¥53.9K
$332 ¥52.4K
2.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,021 ¥161.2K
$852 ¥134.6K
19.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$738 ¥116.6K
$678 ¥107.1K
8.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,287 ¥677.0K
$8,422 ¥1.3M
-49.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,268 ¥358.3K
$1,185 ¥187.1K
91.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tsu
Okinawa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,511 ¥238.6K
$1,798 ¥283.9K
-15.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.9
2.23
-14.80%

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

Last update for Tsu: October 24, 2026

Last update for Okinawa: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Tsu
$388
Okinawa
$330 15% $58
Accommodation & Living
Tsu
$342
Okinawa
$332 2.8% $9.6
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tsu
$212
Okinawa
$241 13.6% $29
Eating Out
Tsu
$112
Okinawa
$184 64.7% $72
Clothing & Footwear
Tsu
$84
Okinawa
$112 33.1% $28
Getting Around
Tsu
$82
Okinawa
$92 12.9% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Tsu
$68
Okinawa
$97 42.6% $29

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $544 in Tsu versus $411 in Okinawa. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 19% higher in Okinawa. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $17 in Tsu versus $40 in Okinawa. Groceries tell a different story – $388 in Tsu vs $330 in Okinawa – so Okinawa wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇯🇵 Tsu
🇯🇵 Okinawa
🕒 Local time
00:55 12:55 AM
00:55 12:55 AM
Same time as Tsu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
279,241
142,752
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to JPY – Japanese Yen Converter

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 176 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.67 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tsu Okinawa 1,230 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Tsu
  • Okinawa

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
Tsu vs Okinawa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsu cheaper than Okinawa?
Yes – Okinawa is pricier by about 8%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,931 per month in Tsu and $2,082 in Okinawa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Okinawa, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $411 there versus $544 in Tsu.
Is eating out cheaper in Tsu or in Okinawa?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $17 in Tsu and $40 in Okinawa. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Tsu and in Okinawa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,287 in Tsu and $1,388 in Okinawa. That makes Tsu about 7% cheaper.
Is $1,000 enough to cover costs in Tsu or in Okinawa?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,287 in Tsu and $1,388 in Okinawa. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is it better to live in Tsu or in Okinawa?
It depends on your priorities. Okinawa has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,287 in Tsu to $1,388 in Okinawa. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Tsu or Okinawa?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tsu. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Okinawa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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