Cost of Living in Kurume - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $658 (excluding rent), and $1,000 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,578 (excluding rent), and $2,138 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Kurume? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.85 ¥697
$4.18 ¥600
$10.62 ¥1,526
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.53 ¥5,965
$24.23 ¥3,480
$96.9 ¥13.9K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.18 ¥600
$4.18 ¥600
$6.73 ¥966
Cappuccino
$2.13 ¥307
$1.07 ¥153
$3.91 ¥562
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 ¥114
$0.72 ¥104
$1.45 ¥209
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59 ¥84.4
$0.57 ¥81.4
$1 ¥144
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.56 ¥511
$3.56 ¥511
$3.56 ¥511
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.7 ¥244
$1.7 ¥244
$1.7 ¥244
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.36 ¥195
$1.36 ¥195
$2.03 ¥291
White Bread (500g)
$1.37 ¥197
$0.82 ¥118
$2.05 ¥295
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.29 ¥617
$1.78 ¥256
$7.14 ¥1,025
Eggs
$2.06 ¥296
$2.06 ¥296
$2.72 ¥391
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.24 ¥1,472
$5.64 ¥810
$21.14 ¥3,036
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.08 ¥874
$3.29 ¥473
$6.71 ¥965
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.58 ¥2,956
$20.58 ¥2,956
$20.58 ¥2,956
Apples (1kg)
$3.17 ¥455
$2.81 ¥404
$3.52 ¥506
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 ¥204
$1.42 ¥204
$1.42 ¥204
Oranges (1kg)
$1.36 ¥195
$1.36 ¥195
$1.36 ¥195
Tomato (1kg)
$6.67 ¥959
$3.14 ¥452
$8.66 ¥1,244
Potato (1kg)
$2.81 ¥404
$2.81 ¥404
$2.81 ¥404
Onion (1kg)
$3.17 ¥455
$2.75 ¥395
$3.99 ¥573
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 ¥142
$0.9 ¥130
$1.08 ¥155
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.8 ¥115
$0.53 ¥76.5
$1.42 ¥204
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84 ¥552
$3.44 ¥494
$4.12 ¥592
Wine (Bottle)
$6.84 ¥982
$4.1 ¥590
$10.26 ¥1,474
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 ¥290
$1.63 ¥234
$2.62 ¥377
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24 ¥179
$1.24 ¥179
$2.1 ¥302
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.58 ¥227
$1.35 ¥194
$1.82 ¥261
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$50.9 ¥7,313
$19.09 ¥2,743
$50.9 ¥7,313
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.67 ¥671
$4.04 ¥580
$6.96 ¥1,000
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.94 ¥422
$2 ¥287
$3.74 ¥537
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.56 ¥2,810
$16.97 ¥2,437
$22.16 ¥3,183
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.66 ¥94.5
$0.66 ¥94.5
$1.2 ¥172
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2K ¥3.3M
$23.2K ¥3.3M
$23.2K ¥3.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K ¥2.8M
$16.7K ¥2.4M
$28.4K ¥4.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$217 ¥31.2K
$172 ¥24.7K
$246 ¥35.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.3 ¥3,922
$20.89 ¥3,002
$67.6 ¥9,705
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.6 ¥3,534
$24.6 ¥3,534
$44.41 ¥6,380
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.9 ¥9,183
$39.71 ¥5,705
$71.5 ¥10.3K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.56 ¥1,804
$3.14 ¥451
$12.56 ¥1,804
Cinema Ticket
$7.42 ¥1,066
$7.42 ¥1,066
$16.85 ¥2,421
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$419 ¥60.2K
$140 ¥20.1K
$698 ¥100.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.5K ¥1.9M
$12.2K ¥1.8M
$14.7K ¥2.1M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.28 ¥6,218
$10.39 ¥1,492
$69.3 ¥9,949
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$13.87 ¥1,993
$13.87 ¥1,993
$13.87 ¥1,993
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$27.12 ¥3,896
$27.12 ¥3,896
$83.5 ¥12K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.87 ¥4,865
$33.87 ¥4,865
$68 ¥9,769
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$207 ¥29.8K
$207 ¥29.8K
$207 ¥29.8K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$136 ¥19.5K
$136 ¥19.5K
$136 ¥19.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$527 ¥75.7K
$527 ¥75.7K
$527 ¥75.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$346 ¥49.7K
$346 ¥49.7K
$346 ¥49.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,665 ¥670.2K
$1,978 ¥284.1K
$4,665 ¥670.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,807 ¥259.5K
$798 ¥114.6K
$1,807 ¥259.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,666 ¥239.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.67
1
2
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Kurume - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kurume affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to bigger Japanese cities?
Kurume tends to offer balance between affordability and quality of life, especially if you pursue a simpler lifestyle away from neon-city hubs. You’ll notice prices for groceries, transit passes, and casual dining are generally lower than in Tokyo or Osaka, while still offering reliable services and a compact city feel. For remote work, shared workspaces and cafés provide steady options. Cost of Living in Kurume, Japan can feel favorable for long stays, particularly if you choose a modest apartment and local supermarkets over imported goods. The city rewards mindful budgeting and seasonal activity planning. Tip: Time your shopping around weekly discounts and use municipal buses to stretch every yen.
What does daily life look like in Kurume in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Housing search near central Kurume is convenient, with a range of compact apartments and older stock that remain affordable by city standards. For food, local markets, bento shops, and family-run eateries offer variety without breaking the budget, especially if you cook some meals at home. Transport is straightforward: reliable trains, bus routes, and bike-friendly streets let you move without a car. For everyday tasks – errands, banking, postal services – expect well-serviced neighborhoods within short walks. Overall Kurume, Japan living cost supports a steady lifestyle for digital nomads who value reliability over flashy trends. Tip: Use monthly passes and neighborhood co-working spaces to cut recurring costs.
What quality-of-life considerations should you factor in when budgeting and choosing a neighborhood in Kurume, including seasonality and local experiences?
Kurume balances small-city charm with efficient services, making it comfortable for long-term stays. Quality of life comes from a calm pace, clean streets, and easy access to nature, like nearby rivers and parks. To budget effectively, start with a simple framework: classify expenses into housing, daily essentials, and discretionary spends, then adjust seasonally – for example, conserve cooling costs in summer and plan outdoor activities in milder seasons. Neighborhood fit matters: central areas near Kurume Station offer convenience and shorter commutes; riverside districts tend to feel more open and leafy, while suburban wards can offer larger apartments at lower rents. Seasonal rhythms – market fairs, food stalls, and local festivals – offer affordable, authentic experiences. Tip: build a flexible monthly plan and track expenses for a few weeks to find your balance.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.