Cost of Living in Nara, Japan (2026-09)
Overview
Nara is a prefectural capital in the Kinki region of Japan. Population about 350,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-09) stands at 115.9 on a 2020 = 100 base, +2.0% year on year and +15.8% over the past 5 years. Prices have risen more than the national index (114.5) since 2020. Comparing actual prices of 24 everyday items, Nara is +0.2% versus the national average, #21 cheapest of the 52 cities tracked here.
What to know
Kinki region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 29A01)
Overall 115.9 · YoY +2.0% · 5y +15.8% · everyday prices #21 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 (135.6) and household goods (135.2) and least for education (93.7) and transport & communications (103.7) (index, 2020 = 100). The latest +2.0% year-on-year reading is cooling relative to the +3.2% 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 Nara
In Nara, 12 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Tomato (-20.0%), Rice (standard) (-17.5%), Tofu (-17.2%). Pricier: Cabbage (+41.7%), Potato (+18.5%), Banana (+14.0%).
| Item | Price in Nara | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥3,030per pack | -17.5% | 1 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥542per kg | -1.3% | 22 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥314per pack | -0.8% | 13 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥255per unit | -4.3% | 14 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥151per 100 g | -5.5% | 17 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥311per 100 g | +1.7% | 29 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥783per 100 g | -15.0% | 11 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥274per kg | +41.7% | 50 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥288per kg | -11.1% | 10 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥560per kg | +18.5% | 46 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥744per kg | -20.0% | 3 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥425per kg | +14.0% | 44 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥249per kg | -17.2% | 13 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥182per piece | -4.0% | 13 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,174per pack | +0.4% | 31 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥749per serving | -0.1% | 24 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥930per plate | +10.8% | 43 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥280per piece | +0.7% | 22 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥392per serving | +8.0% | 30 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥1,011per 1,000 m | +2.8% | 41 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥595per kg | +0.7% | 33 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,828per garment | +9.1% | 39 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥176per L | +2.1% | 37 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥3,988per visit | -10.1% | 14 / 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 | 135.6 |
| Housing | 109.6 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 106.4 |
| Furniture & household | 135.2 |
| Clothing & footwear | 109.4 |
| Medical care | 107.4 |
| Transport & communication | 103.7 |
| Education | 93.7 |
| Culture & recreation | 118.4 |
| Miscellaneous | 108.2 |
Calculate your monthly cost in Nara
Compare the cost of living in Nara with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Nara, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure