🇯🇵 Japan · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Osaka? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, central (Umeda, Namba, Tennoji)JPY 80,000–120,000 / month
One-bed flat, outer wards or along a private railway lineJPY 55,000–85,000 / month
Utilities and internet, one personJPY 13,000–20,000 / month
Groceries, one personJPY 35,000–50,000 / month
Commuter pass, Osaka MetroJPY 9,000–15,000 / month, usually reimbursed by employers
Good to know
Population
≈2.75 million in the city; ≈19 million across the Keihanshin region including Kyoto and Kobe
Languages
Japanese, in the Kansai dialect, which differs from standard Japanese in vocabulary, intonation and grammar. English is limited outside international workplaces
Currency
Japanese yen (JPY)
Time zone
JST (GMT+9) — Japan does not observe daylight saving
Power plug
Type A and B, 100 V — the lowest mains voltage in the world, and 60 Hz in western Japan against 50 Hz in the east
Climate
Humid subtropical — hot and very humid summers, mild winters, a June rainy season and a September typhoon season
Driving side
Left
Escalators
Stand on the right, walk on the left — the reverse of Tokyo and most of Japan
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Osaka checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Osaka
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.