Last update: Oct 2026 Japan 289.7K

Cost of Living in Morioka

For one person, living costs in Morioka are estimated at $1,190 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Morioka

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

A single person spends around $1,190 per month with rent, or $724 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,190 /mo

A couple spends around $1,874 per month with rent, or $1,212 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,874 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,559 per month with rent, or $1,700 without housing.

$2,559 /mo

Overall, Morioka is about 12% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are slightly above average (12%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.21 ¥981
$4.82 ¥762
$12.43 ¥1,964
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.99 ¥5,054
$23.04 ¥3,640
$76.1 ¥12.0K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.12 ¥808
$4.64 ¥733
$6.08 ¥961
Cappuccino
$3.00 ¥475
$1.24 ¥196
$4.66 ¥736
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20 ¥189
$0.86 ¥136
$1.91 ¥302
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 ¥127
$0.66 ¥104
$1.32 ¥208
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 ¥426
$1.88 ¥296
$4.68 ¥740
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12 ¥493
$1.87 ¥296
$4.84 ¥765
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 ¥242
$1.14 ¥180
$1.94 ¥307
White Bread (500g)
$1.60 ¥252
$0.96 ¥152
$3.18 ¥503
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.14 ¥653
$2.83 ¥447
$6.28 ¥992
Eggs
$2.08 ¥328
$1.52 ¥240
$2.52 ¥398
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.25 ¥1,619
$5.52 ¥872
$20.73 ¥3,274
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.45 ¥1,019
$4.23 ¥668
$9.33 ¥1,473
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.26 ¥2,570
$8.30 ¥1,311
$27.86 ¥4,402
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 ¥579
$2.49 ¥393
$9.13 ¥1,443
Banana (1kg)
$2.24 ¥354
$1.22 ¥193
$3.67 ¥579
Oranges (1kg)
$2.80 ¥443
$2.46 ¥389
$5.54 ¥875
Tomato (1kg)
$4.11 ¥650
$2.49 ¥393
$6.85 ¥1,082
Potato (1kg)
$2.46 ¥389
$1.61 ¥254
$3.85 ¥608
Onion (1kg)
$2.57 ¥406
$1.61 ¥255
$3.79 ¥598
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.25 ¥197
$0.80 ¥127
$1.98 ¥313
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 ¥127
$0.49 ¥77.7
$1.24 ¥196
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.99 ¥631
$3.74 ¥591
$4.35 ¥687
Wine (Bottle)
$6.51 ¥1,029
$4.31 ¥681
$12.40 ¥1,960
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 ¥286
$1.41 ¥223
$2.36 ¥373
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 ¥341
$1.80 ¥285
$3.21 ¥507
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 ¥236
$1.27 ¥201
$1.91 ¥301
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.5 ¥8,298
$26.03 ¥4,112
$52.5 ¥8,298
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.07 ¥485
$3.07 ¥485
$4.30 ¥680
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.87 ¥453
$1.91 ¥301
$4.20 ¥663
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$18.59 ¥2,938
$17.20 ¥2,717
$20.23 ¥3,196
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 ¥173
$1.08 ¥170
$1.13 ¥178
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K ¥3.4M
$21.2K ¥3.4M
$21.8K ¥3.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.9K ¥2.4M
$14.1K ¥2.2M
$19.1K ¥3.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$135 ¥21.4K
$100 ¥15.9K
$219 ¥34.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.39 ¥3,853
$12.72 ¥2,010
$31.80 ¥5,024
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.82 ¥4,869
$25.03 ¥3,955
$42.24 ¥6,673
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.5 ¥8,138
$37.47 ¥5,919
$62.5 ¥9,866
Cinema Ticket
$12.16 ¥1,921
$11.52 ¥1,820
$17.60 ¥2,780
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$509 ¥80.4K
$306 ¥48.3K
$842 ¥133.0K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.5K ¥2.0M
$7,479 ¥1.2M
$20.4K ¥3.2M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.62 ¥7,681
$18.56 ¥2,932
$74.2 ¥11.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.42 ¥4,963
$18.76 ¥2,964
$50.1 ¥7,907
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.7 ¥9,744
$35.24 ¥5,567
$95.2 ¥15.0K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.5 ¥14.0K
$47.01 ¥7,427
$125 ¥19.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$538 ¥85.0K
$419 ¥66.1K
$621 ¥98.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$331 ¥52.2K
$283 ¥44.8K
$378 ¥59.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,094 ¥172.8K
$624 ¥98.6K
$1,436 ¥226.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$724 ¥114.3K
$505 ¥79.8K
$929 ¥146.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,182 ¥660.8K
$1,994 ¥315.0K
$4,182 ¥660.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,739 ¥274.8K
$469 ¥74.1K
$1,739 ¥274.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.21
1.5
2.45

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

Last update: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Morioka $1,190
Accommodation & Living
$331
Groceries & Markets
$285
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$190
Eating Out
$129
Clothing & Footwear
$104
Getting Around
$76
Sport & Entertainment
$76

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $285 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $32.00 – broadly in line with the Asian average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $52.5 – above the Asian average of $33.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia

Taxi is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Good to know
🕒 Local time
18:58 6:58 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
289,731
💱 Currency
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Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 20, 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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Morioka Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Cost of Living in Morioka - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morioka, Japan a good value for travelers and expats, and who tends to benefit most from its affordability?
Compared with bigger cities, Morioka tends to feel more approachable for long stays and for those prioritizing balance over flash. The city offers a strong mix of affordable dining options, abundant groceries, and a compact, walkable center, with easy access to nature and weekend trips to nearby ski resorts or hot springs. Cost of Living in Morioka, Japan tends to be favorable for budget-conscious visitors who value stability and local flavor over constant upgrade cycles. If you are a remote worker, you will find decent coworking spaces and reliable connectivity in central neighborhoods. Tip: Start with a month-long stay in a well-connected district to test routines.
What should you know about daily life in Morioka, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Understanding Morioka, Japan living cost helps you budget for rent, utilities, and daily meals. Daily life blends comfort and practicality: search housing near the station for easy access, but explore quieter neighborhoods for steadier rents if possible. For food, explore local markets, ramen shops, and regional specialties that fit different budgets. Getting around is straightforward on foot or by bus, and cycling is common in dry months. There are several coworking spaces in the city center, plus reliable services for errands. Tip: Do a short scouting period to compare neighborhoods, transit, and coworking options.
What approaches help maintain quality of life in Morioka while keeping an adaptable budget, especially with seasonal changes and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Morioka comes from a practical budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (rent, utilities) from flexible spending (groceries, dining). Track seasonal shifts in groceries and energy use to adjust your plan without feeling pinned down. Choose neighborhoods that balance walkability, safety, and access to parks or rivers for easy downtime. Seasonal events and local markets offer affordable experiences that enrich daily life without overspending. Tip: Set a simple monthly plan that prioritizes essentials and leaves room for occasional local discoveries.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Morioka?
All in, Morioka runs about $1,190 monthly with rent, or $724 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
Is the cost of living in Morioka reasonable?
Morioka is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,190. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Morioka?
You'll want at least $1,785 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Morioka. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Morioka?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Morioka runs about $538 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $331. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How expensive is preschool in Morioka per month?
Private kindergarten in Morioka costs about $509 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Morioka?
Expect to pay about $51.5 per month for a gym in Morioka – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $2,000 cover living expenses in Morioka?
$2,000 is below the $1,190 average in Morioka, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What makes Morioka attractive for retirement?
Morioka makes a good retirement base. About $1,785 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.
Is Morioka affordable for the average person?
Morioka is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,190, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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