Cost of Living in Otsu, Japan (2026-09)
Overview
Otsu is a prefectural capital in the Kinki region of Japan. Population about 340,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-09) stands at 113.0 on a 2020 = 100 base, +2.4% year on year and +13.3% over the past 5 years. Prices have risen less than the national index (114.5) since 2020. Comparing actual prices of 24 everyday items, Otsu is +4.9% versus the national average, #7 most expensive of the 52 cities tracked here.
What to know
Kinki region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 25A01)
Overall 113.0 · YoY +2.4% · 5y +13.3% · everyday prices #7 highest of 52
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Since 2020, prices have risen most for food (128.6) and household goods (123.6) and least for education (85.8) and utilities (103.4) (index, 2020 = 100). The latest +2.4% year-on-year reading is broadly flat relative to the +2.7% 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 Otsu
In Otsu, 11 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Hamburger (fast food) (-12.6%), Chicken (-9.9%), Bread (loaf) (-5.5%). Pricier: Tofu (+52.0%), Banana (+24.2%), Tomato (+21.3%).
| Item | Price in Otsu | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥3,894per pack | +6.0% | 40 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥519per kg | -5.5% | 13 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥336per pack | +6.1% | 43 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥290per unit | +8.9% | 44 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥144per 100 g | -9.9% | 5 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥312per 100 g | +2.0% | 32 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥881per 100 g | -4.4% | 21 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥214per kg | +10.7% | 35 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥311per kg | -4.0% | 14 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥468per kg | -1.0% | 20 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥1,128per kg | +21.3% | 50 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥463per kg | +24.2% | 50 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥457per kg | +52.0% | 50 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥214per piece | +12.9% | 48 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,145per pack | -2.1% | 15 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥748per serving | -0.3% | 23 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥797per plate | -5.1% | 15 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥243per piece | -12.6% | 1 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥394per serving | +8.6% | 40 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥1,014per 1,000 m | +3.2% | 44 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥615per kg | +4.1% | 44 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,633per garment | -2.6% | 27 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥172per L | -0.2% | 22 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥4,675per visit | +5.3% | 28 / 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 | 128.6 |
| Housing | 104.5 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 103.4 |
| Furniture & household | 123.6 |
| Clothing & footwear | 112.5 |
| Medical care | 105.7 |
| Transport & communication | 104.1 |
| Education | 85.8 |
| Culture & recreation | 118.1 |
| Miscellaneous | 110.9 |
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Compare the cost of living in Otsu with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Otsu, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure