Cost of Living in Fukuoka, Japan (2026-09)
Japan's startup darling — cheapest major city, closer to Seoul than Tokyo.
Overview
Fukuoka has been Japan's fastest-growing major city for over a decade, attracting tech startups, digital nomads, and young families with its low cost of living, mild climate, and proximity to Asian hubs (Seoul is closer than Tokyo). Hakata Station, the central business district, and the airport are all within a 15-minute taxi of each other — a level of compactness no other Japanese metro offers.
What to know
Cheapest among Japan's major metros. 1K in central Hakata or Tenjin: 55,000–75,000 JPY. Quality of construction is comparable to Tokyo; you simply pay less.
Famed for tonkotsu ramen and motsunabe. Yatai (street stalls) serve fresh-cooked meals for 1,000–2,000 JPY. Seafood from Genkai Sea is excellent and well-priced.
Subway connects the airport, station, and downtown in 11 minutes — globally unusual. Domestic + international flights are easy weekend trips.
Fukuoka stands out for housing that is clearly cheaper than in Japan's other major cities. How food and transport compare with the national average is shown in the price table below.
If working remotely for a Tokyo company, Fukuoka can cut your rent in half while keeping a full big-city lifestyle. Direct flights to Tokyo are 1h40m and run hourly.
Prices of everyday items in Fukuoka
In Fukuoka, 14 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Haircut fee (-11.4%), Chicken (-9.9%), Bread (loaf) (-9.3%). Pricier: Cabbage (+13.3%), Hamburger (fast food) (+9.0%), Eggs (chicken) (+8.0%).
| Item | Price in Fukuoka | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥3,529per pack | -4.0% | 22 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥498per kg | -9.3% | 7 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥342per pack | +8.0% | 49 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥274per unit | +2.9% | 32 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥144per 100 g | -9.9% | 5 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥324per 100 g | +6.0% | 49 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥852per 100 g | -7.5% | 19 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥219per kg | +13.3% | 36 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥301per kg | -7.0% | 13 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥445per kg | -5.8% | 15 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥956per kg | +2.8% | 30 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥361per kg | -3.2% | 14 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥284per kg | -5.5% | 25 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥188per piece | -0.8% | 24 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,177per pack | +0.7% | 34 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥803per serving | +7.1% | 34 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥880per plate | +4.8% | 31 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥303per piece | +9.0% | 46 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥347per serving | -4.4% | 8 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥934per 1,000 m | -5.0% | 8 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥606per kg | +2.6% | 40 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,587per garment | -5.3% | 22 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥170per L | -1.3% | 12 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥3,934per visit | -11.4% | 10 / 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 | 135.0 |
| Housing | 103.4 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 105.7 |
| Furniture & household | 132.6 |
| Clothing & footwear | 109.6 |
| Medical care | 107.2 |
| Transport & communication | 104.5 |
| Education | 93.0 |
| Culture & recreation | 118.3 |
| Miscellaneous | 110.6 |
Calculate your monthly cost in Fukuoka
Compare the cost of living in Fukuoka with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Fukuoka, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure