Cost of Living in Kamakura - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,294 monthly including rent, or $743 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,992 with rent, or $1,454 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,690 including rent, or $2,165 for daily expenses alone.

Kamakura sits about 5% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 24% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.05 ¥1,127
$4.59 ¥734
$14.11 ¥2,257
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.17 ¥5,625
$25.32 ¥4,049
$105 ¥16.9K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.67 ¥907
$3.55 ¥567
$6.73 ¥1,077
Cappuccino
$3.13 ¥501
$1.43 ¥229
$4.28 ¥685
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 ¥194
$0.85 ¥137
$1.43 ¥229
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ¥121
$0.72 ¥114
$1.08 ¥173
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.07 ¥331
$1.38 ¥221
$3.45 ¥552
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19 ¥509
$1.77 ¥282
$4.25 ¥679
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.52 ¥244
$1.35 ¥217
$1.71 ¥274
White Bread (500g)
$1.75 ¥281
$1.20 ¥191
$2.81 ¥449
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.02 ¥803
$2.55 ¥408
$7.07 ¥1,131
Eggs
$2.27 ¥364
$1.68 ¥268
$2.86 ¥457
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.81 ¥2,209
$5.53 ¥884
$20.71 ¥3,313
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.87 ¥1,099
$4.12 ¥660
$9.85 ¥1,576
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.62 ¥2,818
$9.02 ¥1,442
$21.15 ¥3,383
Apples (1kg)
$5.91 ¥946
$2.93 ¥469
$10.23 ¥1,637
Banana (1kg)
$2.89 ¥462
$1.06 ¥170
$4.25 ¥679
Oranges (1kg)
$4.09 ¥654
$2.82 ¥450
$7.05 ¥1,127
Tomato (1kg)
$6.09 ¥974
$2.80 ¥447
$14.00 ¥2,239
Potato (1kg)
$3.27 ¥523
$1.38 ¥220
$5.50 ¥880
Onion (1kg)
$2.57 ¥411
$0.41 ¥65.9
$6.80 ¥1,087
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 ¥222
$0.70 ¥112
$2.85 ¥456
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 ¥169
$0.56 ¥89.5
$1.06 ¥169
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.41 ¥545
$3.13 ¥501
$7.49 ¥1,198
Wine (Bottle)
$9.27 ¥1,483
$6.18 ¥988
$21.64 ¥3,461
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 ¥294
$1.36 ¥218
$3.41 ¥545
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 ¥383
$1.13 ¥181
$3.21 ¥513
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.61 ¥258
$1.37 ¥220
$1.85 ¥296
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$55.3 ¥8,849
$20.75 ¥3,319
$55.3 ¥8,849
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.49 ¥559
$2.79 ¥446
$4.05 ¥647
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.98 ¥477
$2.71 ¥433
$4.47 ¥714
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.59 ¥2,814
$17.59 ¥2,814
$23.23 ¥3,716
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 ¥197
$1.18 ¥189
$1.24 ¥199
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6K ¥3.8M
$23.6K ¥3.8M
$23.6K ¥3.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9K ¥2.7M
$16.9K ¥2.7M
$24.2K ¥3.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$143 ¥22.9K
$104 ¥16.6K
$277 ¥44.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.75 ¥4,278
$14.99 ¥2,397
$34.07 ¥5,449
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.96 ¥5,432
$27.58 ¥4,411
$41.37 ¥6,618
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.4 ¥8,853
$34.38 ¥5,500
$61.9 ¥9,898
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.04 ¥2,245
$3.51 ¥562
$14.04 ¥2,245
Cinema Ticket
$12.51 ¥2,001
$12.51 ¥2,001
$20.85 ¥3,334
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$287 ¥45.8K
$197 ¥31.6K
$597 ¥95.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.3K ¥1.8M
$6,900 ¥1.1M
$27.6K ¥4.4M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.28 ¥6,763
$21.14 ¥3,382
$70.5 ¥11.3K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.29 ¥4,685
$10.34 ¥1,653
$68.9 ¥11.0K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$56.6 ¥9,046
$27.84 ¥4,453
$104 ¥16.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.6 ¥15.0K
$42.40 ¥6,782
$353 ¥56.5K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$476 ¥76.2K
$423 ¥67.7K
$547 ¥87.4K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$326 ¥52.2K
$275 ¥43.9K
$378 ¥60.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$864 ¥138.2K
$691 ¥110.6K
$1,010 ¥161.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$656 ¥104.9K
$528 ¥84.5K
$742 ¥118.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,481 ¥716.7K
$1,828 ¥292.3K
$4,481 ¥716.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,206 ¥352.9K
$875 ¥139.9K
$2,206 ¥352.9K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,760 ¥281.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.78
1
2.2

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

Last update: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $476 for a central one-bedroom, or $326 outside the center. At 27% of the average salary ($1,760), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,760, while typical expenses reach $1,294. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,941.

Expect to spend about $350 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $35.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $55.3 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Taxi is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Asia

Kamakura Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

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Upload
Mbps
Latency
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Fixed Broadband

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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Kamakura - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kamakura a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, compared with other parts of Japan?
Compared with Tokyo and other urban hubs, Kamakura tends to feel like a balanced value for travelers and longer stays. You get coastal scenery, a walkable town center, and a calmer pace without giving up easy access to the big city. The Cost of Living in Kamakura, Japan reflects this mix: housing tends to be the main driver, with options ranging from compact apartments near the station to quieter units in hillside lanes; daily meals and casual cafes offer good value if you choose neighborhood spots over tourist-focused venues; and transport is efficient but not as hectic as Tokyo’s core. Seasonal tourism can influence short-stay prices, but long leases or multi-month stays often stabilize costs. Tip: consider a longer lease to lock in steadier rates and explore neighborhoods near Kamakura Station for easy transit access.
What is day-to-day life like for housing, food, and getting around Kamakura, including options for work or errands?
Housing spans compact studios near Kamakura Station to quiet units in hillside lanes, often with easier access to the coast. Daily life features a mix of izakayas, bakeries, and farmers markets, plus supermarkets with both local and international staples. Bicycles work well for short trips, and rail links keep Tokyo within easy reach for longer workdays or weekend explorations. For the Kamakura, Japan living cost, expect price-conscious choices in local eateries and seasonal goods; avoid the tourist corridors for better value. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi are common, making it simple to work remotely. Tip: map a weekly shopping list and use midweek trips to keep groceries efficient.
What’s a practical budgeting approach to quality of life in Kamakura and how can you choose a neighborhood that fits your vibe and seasonality?
Think in monthly blocks: housing, groceries, transport, and leisure. If you value quiet and green space, Kita-Kamakura offers a calmer vibe with easy access to temples and nature, while Kamakura Station area gives you more dining and services but may carry higher rents. Seasonality shapes your plans: spring and autumn bring festivals and crowds, influencing crowding and dining options, while summer weekends draw beachgoers. Build a simple budgeting framework that tracks rent, utility estimates, transit passes, and occasional day trips to Tokyo. Food budgets can flex with seasonal markets and local shops. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during both weekdays and weekends to gauge crowds, commute times, and noise levels before committing.
Does Kamakura offer good value for money?
At around $1,294 monthly all-in, Kamakura offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How expensive is daily life in Kamakura?
Everyday life in Kamakura is moderately priced at about $1,294 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is the average income in Kamakura enough to cover living costs and save?
At $1,760 take-home, most residents in Kamakura can cover the $1,294 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,941 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Kamakura?
Where you live in Kamakura makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $476; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $326. Overall, the market runs from $326 to $476 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Kamakura?
A monthly transit pass in Kamakura goes for roughly $55.3, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Kamakura?
Childcare averages $287 monthly at a private kindergarten in Kamakura. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,500 a month enough for Kamakura?
Living on $1,500 in Kamakura means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,294. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Kamakura a good place to retire?
Retirees thrive in Kamakura – living costs average around $1,294 monthly, healthcare is affordable and accessible, and the overall vibe supports a fulfilling, low-stress retirement.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Kamakura?
Monthly expenses in Kamakura run around $1,294, so putting money aside takes more than $1,941 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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