Cost of Living in Sendai, Japan (2026-09)
Overview
Sendai is a prefectural capital in the Tohoku region of Japan. Population about 1,100,000. The latest overall CPI (2026-09) stands at 117.6 on a 2020 = 100 base, +2.8% year on year and +17.2% over the past 5 years. Prices have risen more than the national index (114.5) since 2020. Comparing actual prices of 24 everyday items, Sendai is +1.7% versus the national average, #19 most expensive of the 52 cities tracked here.
What to know
Tohoku region · prefectural capital (e-Stat area code 04A01)
Overall 117.6 · YoY +2.8% · 5y +17.2% · everyday prices #19 highest 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 (132.8) and household goods (126.2) and least for education (91.1) and transport & communications (102.0) (index, 2020 = 100). The latest +2.8% year-on-year reading is cooling relative to the +3.4% 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 Sendai
In Sendai, 11 of 24 everyday items cost less than the national average. Notably cheaper: Ramen (dining out) (-29.3%), Coffee (cafe, standard) (-17.3%), Bread (loaf) (-8.6%). Pricier: Banana (+25.2%), Cabbage (+21.6%), Tofu (+20.1%).
| Item | Price in Sendai | vs national average | Rank (cheapest first) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (standard) | ¥3,990per pack | +8.6% | 44 / 52 |
| Bread (loaf) | ¥502per kg | -8.6% | 9 / 52 |
| Eggs (chicken) | ¥329per pack | +3.9% | 36 / 52 |
| Milk | ¥253per unit | -5.0% | 10 / 52 |
| Chicken | ¥183per 100 g | +14.5% | 49 / 52 |
| Pork (domestic) | ¥312per 100 g | +2.0% | 32 / 52 |
| Beef (domestic) | ¥850per 100 g | -7.7% | 17 / 52 |
| Cabbage | ¥235per kg | +21.6% | 44 / 52 |
| Onion | ¥316per kg | -2.4% | 15 / 52 |
| Potato | ¥508per kg | +7.5% | 40 / 52 |
| Tomato | ¥935per kg | +0.5% | 26 / 52 |
| Banana | ¥467per kg | +25.2% | 51 / 52 |
| Tofu | ¥361per kg | +20.1% | 41 / 52 |
| Cup noodles | ¥174per piece | -8.2% | 5 / 52 |
| Beer | ¥1,130per pack | -3.4% | 3 / 52 |
| Ramen (dining out) | ¥530per serving | -29.3% | 2 / 52 |
| Curry rice (dining out) | ¥803per plate | -4.3% | 17 / 52 |
| Hamburger (fast food) | ¥265per piece | -4.7% | 8 / 47 |
| Coffee (cafe, standard) | ¥300per serving | -17.3% | 1 / 47 |
| Toilet paper | ¥991per 1,000 m | +0.8% | 29 / 52 |
| Laundry detergent | ¥623per kg | +5.5% | 46 / 52 |
| Dry cleaning (standard) | ¥1,988per garment | +18.6% | 44 / 52 |
| Gasoline | ¥164per L | -4.8% | 1 / 52 |
| Haircut fee | ¥4,753per visit | +7.1% | 31 / 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 | 132.8 |
| Housing | 110.8 |
| Utilities (fuel & water) | 114.5 |
| Furniture & household | 126.2 |
| Clothing & footwear | 116.7 |
| Medical care | 108.2 |
| Transport & communication | 102.0 |
| Education | 91.1 |
| Culture & recreation | 121.9 |
| Miscellaneous | 108.7 |
Calculate your monthly cost in Sendai
Compare the cost of living in Sendai with local pay
Average salary in the prefecture around Sendai, by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure