Cost of Living in Kumamoto, Japan (2026-09)
Overview
Kumamoto is a prefectural capital in the Kyushu region of Japan. Population about 740,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-09) stands at 113.8 on a 2020 = 100 base, +1.4% year on year and +14.0% over the past 5 years. Prices have risen less than the national index (114.5) since 2020. Comparing actual prices of 24 everyday items, Kumamoto is +0.6% versus the national average, #26 cheapest of the 52 cities tracked here.
What to know
Kyushu region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 43A01)
Overall 113.8 · YoY +1.4% · 5y +14.0% · everyday prices #26 cheapest 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 (132.9) and household goods (124.6) and least for education (83.3) and utilities (101.6) (index, 2020 = 100). The latest +1.4% year-on-year reading is cooling relative to the +2.8% 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 Kumamoto
In Kumamoto, 9 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Dry cleaning (standard) (-39.9%), Tofu (-23.2%), Beef (domestic) (-19.7%). Pricier: Ramen (dining out) (+32.4%), Cup noodles (+12.9%), Potato (+12.0%).
| Item | Price in Kumamoto | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥3,525per pack | -4.1% | 21 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥586per kg | +6.7% | 35 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥322per pack | +1.7% | 27 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥290per unit | +8.9% | 44 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥152per 100 g | -4.9% | 18 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥321per 100 g | +5.0% | 42 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥740per 100 g | -19.7% | 5 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥213per kg | +10.2% | 34 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥350per kg | +8.1% | 43 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥529per kg | +12.0% | 43 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥914per kg | -1.7% | 21 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥340per kg | -8.8% | 7 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥231per kg | -23.2% | 5 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥214per piece | +12.9% | 48 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,208per pack | +3.3% | 43 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥993per serving | +32.4% | 52 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥850per plate | +1.3% | 26 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥297per piece | +6.8% | 42 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥347per serving | -4.4% | 8 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥903per 1,000 m | -8.1% | 2 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥640per kg | +8.3% | 50 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,007per garment | -39.9% | 1 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥176per L | +2.1% | 37 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥4,845per visit | +9.2% | 33 / 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 | 132.9 |
| Housing | 109.4 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 101.6 |
| Furniture & household | 124.6 |
| Clothing & footwear | 106.9 |
| Medical care | 107.6 |
| Transport & communication | 102.2 |
| Education | 83.3 |
| Culture & recreation | 117.7 |
| Miscellaneous | 109.7 |
Calculate your monthly cost in Kumamoto
Compare the cost of living in Kumamoto with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Kumamoto, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure