Cost of Living in Kurume - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $958 monthly including rent, or $611 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,496 with rent, or $1,138 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,035 including rent, or $1,665 for daily expenses alone.

Kurume sits about 31% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 12% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21 ¥668
$3.62 ¥575
$12.28 ¥1,951
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.25 ¥6,714
$34.18 ¥5,431
$49.71 ¥7,899
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.72 ¥590
$3.72 ¥590
$6.30 ¥1,002
Cappuccino
$1.86 ¥295
$0.93 ¥148
$4.33 ¥688
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 ¥112
$0.64 ¥102
$1.28 ¥203
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ¥84.3
$0.51 ¥81.0
$0.90 ¥143
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.22 ¥512
$1.54 ¥245
$5.79 ¥921
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 ¥245
$1.54 ¥245
$3.71 ¥590
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.24 ¥196
$0.80 ¥127
$2.41 ¥383
White Bread (500g)
$1.22 ¥193
$1.19 ¥189
$2.75 ¥436
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.13 ¥816
$4.81 ¥764
$8.34 ¥1,325
Eggs
$1.86 ¥296
$1.78 ¥284
$2.46 ¥391
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.35 ¥2,915
$9.73 ¥1,546
$24.25 ¥3,853
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.24 ¥832
$4.89 ¥776
$5.94 ¥944
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.26 ¥2,584
$7.64 ¥1,214
$28.29 ¥4,496
Apples (1kg)
$3.68 ¥585
$2.56 ¥406
$4.80 ¥762
Banana (1kg)
$1.86 ¥295
$1.28 ¥204
$2.70 ¥429
Oranges (1kg)
$2.81 ¥446
$1.24 ¥198
$4.36 ¥692
Tomato (1kg)
$3.21 ¥511
$2.82 ¥449
$3.59 ¥571
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 ¥335
$2.08 ¥331
$2.14 ¥340
Onion (1kg)
$2.51 ¥399
$1.53 ¥242
$3.58 ¥569
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 ¥169
$0.80 ¥127
$1.28 ¥203
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 ¥142
$0.60 ¥95.2
$1.19 ¥189
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.64 ¥578
$3.51 ¥557
$3.95 ¥628
Wine (Bottle)
$6.24 ¥992
$4.25 ¥675
$6.24 ¥992
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.65 ¥263
$1.41 ¥223
$2.28 ¥362
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12 ¥178
$1.12 ¥178
$1.90 ¥302
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.50 ¥238
$1.27 ¥202
$1.92 ¥304
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.6 ¥8,521
$26.37 ¥4,190
$53.6 ¥8,521
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.98 ¥632
$3.19 ¥506
$4.26 ¥678
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.99 ¥317
$1.96 ¥312
$4.12 ¥654
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.80 ¥2,828
$15.43 ¥2,452
$20.16 ¥3,204
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.64 ¥102
$0.64 ¥102
$1.14 ¥181
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K ¥3.4M
$21.0K ¥3.3M
$21.6K ¥3.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.5K ¥2.8M
$15.5K ¥2.5M
$26.6K ¥4.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 ¥33.4K
$201 ¥31.9K
$222 ¥35.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.47 ¥3,888
$18.72 ¥2,975
$60.6 ¥9,621
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.50 ¥3,575
$22.50 ¥3,575
$40.62 ¥6,455
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.4 ¥8,325
$38.97 ¥6,192
$58.5 ¥9,288
Cinema Ticket
$6.76 ¥1,074
$6.15 ¥977
$15.36 ¥2,441
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$125 ¥19.8K
$125 ¥19.8K
$125 ¥19.8K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K ¥1.9M
$11.0K ¥1.8M
$14.5K ¥2.3M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.64 ¥5,981
$18.82 ¥2,990
$62.7 ¥9,968
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$12.22 ¥1,942
$12.22 ¥1,942
$32.29 ¥5,131
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$24.03 ¥3,818
$24.03 ¥3,818
$73.9 ¥11.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.30 ¥4,973
$31.30 ¥4,973
$47.13 ¥7,489
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$470 ¥74.6K
$376 ¥59.8K
$565 ¥89.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$124 ¥19.7K
$124 ¥19.7K
$124 ¥19.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$465 ¥73.8K
$465 ¥73.8K
$465 ¥73.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$308 ¥49.0K
$308 ¥49.0K
$308 ¥49.0K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,291 ¥681.8K
$2,048 ¥325.4K
$4,291 ¥681.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,012 ¥319.6K
$991 ¥157.5K
$2,012 ¥319.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,530 ¥243.1K
-
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: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $470 for a central one-bedroom, or $124 outside the center. At 31% of the average salary ($1,530), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,530, while typical expenses reach $958. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $289 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $42.00 for two – above the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $53.6 per month – above the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Imported beer is cheaper than 98% of cities in Asia

Kurume Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
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Upload
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Latency
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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 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 $958 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 31% 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 $1,530 take-home, most residents in Kurume can cover the $958 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,436 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 $470; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $124. Overall, the market runs from $124 to $470 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is public transport affordable in Kurume?
A monthly transit pass in Kurume runs about $53.6, 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 $289 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 $958. 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 $958 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 $958, so putting money aside takes more than $1,436 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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