Cost of Living in Saitama, Japan (2026-08)
Overview
Saitama is a prefectural capital in the Kanto region of Japan. Population about 1,340,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-08) stands at 113.4 on a 2020 = 100 base, +2.2% year on year and +271.8% over the past 57 years. That is -0.8% versus the national average of 114.3, so prices run lower. Among the 52 cities tracked here, it ranks #38 by price level.
What to know
Kanto region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 11A01)
Overall 113.4 · YoY +2.2% · 57y +271.8% · #38 of 52
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This month the highest indices are household goods (130.6) and food (128.6), while the lowest are education (95.6) and housing (104.9). The latest +2.2% year-on-year reading is cooling relative to the +4.8% annual average of the past 57 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.
5-year price trend
Latest CPI by category (2020 = 100)
| Category | CPI (2026-08) |
|---|---|
| Food | 128.6 |
| Housing | 104.9 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 112.3 |
| Furniture & household | 130.6 |
| Clothing & footwear | 106.8 |
| Medical care | 108.3 |
| Transport & communication | 106.1 |
| Education | 95.6 |
| Culture & recreation | 121.8 |
| Miscellaneous | 107.0 |