Cost of Living in Akita, Japan (2026-09)
Overview
Akita is a prefectural capital in the Tohoku region of Japan. Population about 300,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-09) stands at 116.6 on a 2020 = 100 base, +2.7% year on year and +15.4% over the past 5 years. Prices have risen more than the national index (114.5) since 2020. Comparing actual prices of 24 everyday items, Akita is +1.8% versus the national average, #18 most expensive of the 52 cities tracked here.
What to know
Tohoku region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 05A01)
Overall 116.6 · YoY +2.7% · 5y +15.4% · everyday prices #18 highest of 52
Open the calculator to estimate a monthly budget for this city in your home currency.
Since 2020, prices have risen most for food (132.5) and household goods (130.3) and least for education (80.7) and transport & communications (102.0) (index, 2020 = 100). The latest +2.7% year-on-year reading is cooling relative to the +3.1% annual average of the past 5 years. Because category weights such as housing and food shape what living here actually feels like, use the chart and table below to follow the trajectory.
Prices of everyday items in Akita
In Akita, 11 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Haircut fee (-27.3%), Bread (loaf) (-26.8%), Dry cleaning (standard) (-17.5%). Pricier: Cabbage (+40.2%), Beef (domestic) (+29.6%), Tofu (+28.4%).
| Item | Price in Akita | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥4,353per pack | +18.5% | 50 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥402per kg | -26.8% | 2 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥303per pack | -4.3% | 6 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥246per unit | -7.7% | 6 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥146per 100 g | -8.6% | 8 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥321per 100 g | +5.0% | 42 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥1,194per 100 g | +29.6% | 50 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥271per kg | +40.2% | 49 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥324per kg | +0.1% | 23 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥472per kg | -0.1% | 25 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥812per kg | -12.7% | 7 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥376per kg | +0.8% | 26 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥386per kg | +28.4% | 44 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥214per piece | +12.9% | 48 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,173per pack | +0.3% | 29 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥733per serving | -2.3% | 20 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥950per plate | +13.2% | 44 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥290per piece | +4.3% | 39 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥347per serving | -4.4% | 8 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥1,000per 1,000 m | +1.7% | 36 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥615per kg | +4.1% | 44 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,383per garment | -17.5% | 10 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥166per L | -3.7% | 3 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥3,225per visit | -27.3% | 2 / 47 |
Average retail prices for 2026-09 from the Statistics Bureau's Retail Price Survey. The national average is a simple average of the surveyed cities, not a weighted one; ranks compare the cities covered on this site. Browse all item prices →
5-year price trend
Latest CPI by category (2020 = 100)
| Category | CPI (2026-09) |
|---|---|
| Food | 132.5 |
| Housing | 107.8 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 120.8 |
| Furniture & household | 130.3 |
| Clothing & footwear | 118.8 |
| Medical care | 107.1 |
| Transport & communication | 102.0 |
| Education | 80.7 |
| Culture & recreation | 120.4 |
| Miscellaneous | 108.8 |
Calculate your monthly cost in Akita
Compare the cost of living in Akita with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Akita, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure