For one person, living costs in Tsu are estimated at $1,269 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $26 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tsu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $1,269 per month with rent, or $794 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,269 /mo
A couple spends around $1,979 per month with rent, or $1,305 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,979 /mo
A family of three spends around $2,688 per month with rent, or $1,815 without housing.
$2,688 /mo
📊
Overall, Tsu is about 6% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 20% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0K¥3.0M
$19.0K¥3.0M
$21.1K¥3.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.3K¥2.6M
$16.3K¥2.6M
$18.7K¥3.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147¥23.3K
$60.9¥9,618
$218¥34.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.31¥3,840
$9.57¥1,512
$26.03¥4,112
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.93¥6,940
$28.93¥4,570
$64.3¥10.2K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.9¥8,195
$37.73¥5,961
$62.9¥9,935
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.83¥2,028
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.17¥1,290
$8.17¥1,290
$12.56¥1,984
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$318¥50.3K
$318¥50.3K
$437¥69.0K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,203¥980.0K
$6,203¥980.0K
$6,203¥980.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.88¥7,880
$19.03¥3,007
$76.2¥12.0K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.95¥3,941
$24.95¥3,941
$24.95¥3,941
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$44.99¥7,108
$35.92¥5,674
$49.54¥7,826
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.1¥10.4K
$44.80¥7,078
$96.0¥15.2K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$521¥82.4K
$406¥64.1K
$602¥95.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$327¥51.7K
$280¥44.3K
$374¥59.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,113¥175.9K
$636¥100.4K
$1,462¥230.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$726¥114.7K
$507¥80.1K
$932¥147.2K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,165¥658.0K
$1,985¥313.7K
$4,165¥658.0K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,745¥275.8K
$471¥74.4K
$1,745¥275.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,509¥238.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
1.9
1.1
2.45
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Tsu$1,269
Tsu$2,688
🛒Groceries & Markets
$384 30.2%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$327 25.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$216 17%
🍽Eating Out
$113 8.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$84 6.6%
🚌Getting Around
$77 6.1%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$68 5.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$913 34%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$726 27%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$240 8.9%
🍽Eating Out
$317 11.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$186 6.9%
🚌Getting Around
$157 5.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$149 5.6%
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $521, dropping to $327 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 35% of the average salary ($1,509) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $1,509. With monthly costs around $1,269, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,903.
🛒Groceries cost around $384 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $18.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.
🚌A monthly public transport pass costs about $52.4 – above the Asian average of $33.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia
⭐Taxi is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia
⭐Imported beer is cheaper than 94% of cities in Asia
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Japanese is commonly spoken or the national language
Cost of Living in Tsu - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsu, Japan generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to bigger cities?
Cost of Living in Tsu, Japan sits in a practical middle ground for a city of its size. Housing tends to be more affordable than in Nagoya or Osaka, with compact options near transit stations and quieter streets a short ride away. Daily meals from local markets and casual eateries can fit a modest budget, while specialty dining and imported goods lift the cost slightly. Public transport is efficient, enabling easy trips to nearby towns for weekend explorations. Seasonality and local harvests influence prices in markets, but value remains accessible for steady, short- or mid-term stays. Tip: Start with a neighborhood near a station to balance access and quiet living.
What does daily life look like in Tsu, including housing search, food options, transport, coworking spaces, and errands?
Day-to-day life centers on practical routines. Look for rentals near the Kintetsu line or riverfront pockets for easy commutes and walkable errands. Food options range from farmers markets and local grocers to casual dining and neighborhood cafés, with seasonal produce shaping choices. Transport is reliable: trains connect to larger cities, buses fill gaps, and cycling is feasible in most neighborhoods. For focus work or study, check smaller coworking spaces or library lanes; errands can be consolidated to save time. Tsu, Japan living cost tends to favor proximity to transit and essential services, helping keep monthly needs predictable. Tip: Plan a weekly grid that blends work, meals, and exploration.
What factors shape overall quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit in Tsu, considering seasons and lifestyle goals?
Quality of life in Tsu leans on balance and pace. A practical budgeting framework works by separating essentials from discretionary spending and prioritizing transit access, which lowers transportation friction. Neighborhood fit matters: riverside strolls, quiet residential blocks, and compact, grocery-friendly zones near markets appeal to different rhythms. Seasonality affects activities and shopping – hot summers influence cooling needs, autumn markets offer harvest produce, and winter accessories are practical yet affordable. For savings, lean toward longer stays in self-catering spaces and plan errands to coincide with market days. Tip: Map a simple two-zone approach – home base plus one or two nearby spots for weekly needs.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Tsu?
Housing in Tsu takes a heavy bite – about 35% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What is the average cost of living in Tsu?
A single person in Tsu typically spends $1,269 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $794. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average salary in Tsu?
After taxes, the average worker in Tsu takes home about $1,509 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Tsu?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Tsu – 1-bedroom apartments range from $327 to $521 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is food expensive in Tsu?
Grocery spending in Tsu lands around $384 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Tsu?
Getting around Tsu by public transport costs about $52.4 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Tsu?
$1,000 is below the $1,269 average in Tsu, 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.
Is Tsu a good city for digital nomads?
Tsu has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet, low crime rates, clean air. At around $1,269 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
How affordable is Tsu?
Tsu is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,269, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Is Tsu good for backpackers?
Tsu is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,269, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.