Last update: Oct 2026 Japan 303.3K

Cost of Living in Kurume

For one person, living costs in Kurume are estimated at $965 a month, including rent and utilities – 26% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kurume

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

Living costs for one person come to about $965 monthly including rent, or $629 excluding housing.

$965 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,529 with rent, or $1,098 without housing.

$1,529 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,092 including rent, or $1,568 for daily expenses alone.

$2,092 /mo

Kurume sits 26–29% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are close to average – just 9% lower.

Currency
Do you live in Kurume? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.43 ¥700
$3.82 ¥603
$12.94 ¥2,044
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.67 ¥6,900
$35.33 ¥5,582
$51.4 ¥8,118
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.81 ¥601
$3.81 ¥601
$6.45 ¥1,019
Cappuccino
$1.91 ¥302
$1.27 ¥201
$4.46 ¥705
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 ¥104
$0.60 ¥94.9
$1.20 ¥190
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ¥86.2
$0.52 ¥82.9
$0.92 ¥146
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.20 ¥505
$1.53 ¥242
$5.76 ¥909
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ¥252
$1.60 ¥252
$3.82 ¥604
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 ¥197
$0.81 ¥128
$2.39 ¥378
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 ¥197
$1.22 ¥193
$2.82 ¥445
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.13 ¥810
$4.81 ¥760
$8.34 ¥1,318
Eggs
$1.88 ¥296
$1.81 ¥285
$2.48 ¥392
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.85 ¥2,821
$9.47 ¥1,496
$23.61 ¥3,730
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.33 ¥841
$4.99 ¥788
$5.98 ¥945
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.13 ¥3,022
$19.13 ¥3,022
$19.13 ¥3,022
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 ¥584
$2.57 ¥406
$4.82 ¥761
Banana (1kg)
$1.87 ¥296
$1.29 ¥204
$2.72 ¥429
Oranges (1kg)
$2.89 ¥456
$1.28 ¥202
$4.49 ¥709
Tomato (1kg)
$3.26 ¥515
$2.88 ¥454
$3.65 ¥577
Potato (1kg)
$2.13 ¥336
$2.09 ¥330
$2.16 ¥341
Onion (1kg)
$2.63 ¥416
$1.62 ¥256
$3.72 ¥587
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 ¥168
$0.80 ¥127
$1.28 ¥202
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 ¥154
$0.65 ¥102
$1.30 ¥205
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.64 ¥575
$3.52 ¥556
$3.97 ¥627
Wine (Bottle)
$6.21 ¥981
$4.23 ¥668
$6.21 ¥981
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.64 ¥260
$1.40 ¥221
$2.26 ¥357
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 ¥181
$1.15 ¥181
$1.93 ¥306
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.51 ¥238
$1.28 ¥203
$1.92 ¥304
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$46.98 ¥7,423
$23.28 ¥3,678
$46.98 ¥7,423
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.96 ¥626
$3.17 ¥500
$4.24 ¥670
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.11 ¥333
$2.08 ¥328
$4.34 ¥686
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.62 ¥2,784
$15.29 ¥2,415
$19.96 ¥3,153
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.60 ¥94.5
$0.60 ¥94.5
$1.07 ¥169
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K ¥3.4M
$20.9K ¥3.3M
$21.5K ¥3.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.8K ¥2.8M
$15.7K ¥2.5M
$27.0K ¥4.3M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 ¥33.1K
$200 ¥31.7K
$222 ¥35.0K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.97 ¥3,944
$19.10 ¥3,017
$61.8 ¥9,757
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.59 ¥3,570
$22.59 ¥3,570
$40.79 ¥6,444
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.2 ¥8,724
$40.17 ¥6,346
$66.9 ¥10.6K
Cinema Ticket
$6.82 ¥1,078
$6.19 ¥979
$15.50 ¥2,448
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$127 ¥20.1K
$127 ¥20.1K
$127 ¥20.1K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.5K ¥2.0M
$11.2K ¥1.8M
$14.7K ¥2.3M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.62 ¥7,682
$18.82 ¥2,973
$62.8 ¥9,913
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$12.36 ¥1,953
$12.36 ¥1,953
$12.36 ¥1,953
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$24.78 ¥3,915
$24.78 ¥3,915
$76.2 ¥12.0K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.02 ¥4,901
$31.02 ¥4,901
$31.02 ¥4,901
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$531 ¥83.9K
$413 ¥65.2K
$613 ¥96.8K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$126 ¥20.0K
$126 ¥20.0K
$126 ¥20.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$468 ¥73.9K
$468 ¥73.9K
$468 ¥73.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$315 ¥49.8K
$315 ¥49.8K
$315 ¥49.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,267 ¥674.1K
$2,034 ¥321.4K
$4,267 ¥674.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,883 ¥297.4K
$508 ¥80.2K
$1,883 ¥297.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,537 ¥242.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.97
1
2.45

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Kurume $965
Groceries & Markets
$299
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$257
Accommodation & Living
$126
Eating Out
$94
Sport & Entertainment
$69
Getting Around
$68
Clothing & Footwear
$53

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $531 for a central one-bedroom, or $126 outside the center. At 35% of the average salary ($1,537), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,537, while typical expenses reach $965. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $299 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $44.00 for two – above the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $46.98 per month – above the Asian average of $33.00.

Cost Highlights

Imported beer is cheaper than 98% of cities in Asia

Rice is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is cheaper than 90% of cities in Asia

Good to know
🕒 Local time
07:58 7:58 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
303,316
💱 Currency
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Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

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Kurume Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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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.
Is Kurume affordable on an average income?
Everyday life in Kurume is moderately priced at about $965 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is rent in Kurume too high relative to local incomes?
With 35% of the average paycheck going to rent, Kurume is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
How does the average salary in Kurume compare to the cost of living?
At $1,537 take-home, most residents in Kurume can cover the $965 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,448 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Kurume per month?
Where you live in Kurume makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $531; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $126. Overall, the market runs from $126 to $531 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is public transport affordable in Kurume?
A monthly transit pass in Kurume runs about $46.98, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What should I budget for groceries in Kurume?
At about $299 monthly, food costs in Kurume sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
Does $2,000 cover living expenses in Kurume?
Living on $2,000 in Kurume means careful planning, since monthly costs average $965. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What makes Kurume attractive for retirement?
Retirement in Kurume is comfortable for most – total costs run about $965 monthly. Healthcare, daily amenities, and social infrastructure are all in place, and most retirees find it a practical, enjoyable place to settle.
How much can you save per month in Kurume?
Monthly expenses in Kurume run around $965, so putting money aside takes more than $1,448 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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