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Cost of Living in Nara

Nara, Nara, Japan · Population 352,377

▲ +0% vs Japan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)¥151,309 ($976)
Couple, monthly¥274,166 ($1,769)
Family of four, monthly¥359,967 ($2,322)

Estimated Prices in Nara

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant¥1,429 ($9.22)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range¥5,718 ($36.89)per meal
Cappuccino¥429 ($2.77)each
Monthly groceries (single person)¥32,400 ($209)per month
Monthly public transport pass¥5,241 ($33.81)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment¥13,818 ($89.15)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)¥4,002 ($25.82)per month
Fitness club membership¥4,002 ($25.82)per month
Cinema ticket¥1,048 ($6.76)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre¥80,521 ($519)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre¥56,015 ($361)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre¥168,045 ($1,084)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Nara is ¥410,750 ($2,650) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ¥151,309 ($976) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ¥196,702 ($1,269) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (¥56,015 ($361)) represents about 37% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Nara

Nara vs TokyoNara vs ŌsakaNara vs NagoyaNara vs YokohamaNara vs FukuokaNara vs Sapporo

Nearby Cities

Kitakōriyamachō

4 km away · Nara

Kizugawa

6 km away · Kyōto

Seika

9 km away · Kyōto

Ikoma

10 km away · Nara

Tenri

10 km away · Nara

Tanbaichichō

10 km away · Nara

Nikaidō-kaminoshōchō

10 km away · Nara

Ikaruga

11 km away · Nara

Other Major Cities in Japan

Tokyo

Tōkyō · pop. 37,785,000

¥189,164 ($1,220) / mo

Ōsaka

Ōsaka · pop. 15,126,000

¥185,978 ($1,200) / mo

Nagoya

Aichi · pop. 9,197,000

¥185,978 ($1,200) / mo

Yokohama

Kanagawa · pop. 3,757,630

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Fukuoka

Fukuoka · pop. 2,286,000

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Sapporo

Hokkaidō · pop. 1,959,313

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Kawasaki

Kanagawa · pop. 1,538,262

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Kōbe

Hyōgo · pop. 1,521,707

¥163,834 ($1,057) / mo

Living in Nara

Nara is one of the key cities in Japan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ¥151,309 ($976), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ¥56,015 ($361) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ¥359,967 ($2,322) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ¥274,166 ($1,769) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Nara is ¥410,750 ($2,650). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ¥196,702 ($1,269) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nara expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ¥151,309 ($976) per month in Nara including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Japan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Nara?
A net salary of around ¥196,702 ($1,269) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Nara with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Nara is ¥410,750 ($2,650).
How much is rent in Nara?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ¥80,521 ($519) per month in the city centre and ¥56,015 ($361) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ¥168,045 ($1,084).
Is Nara cheaper than Japan on average?
No — Nara is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Japan average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Nara?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ¥32,400 ($209) in Nara. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ¥1,429 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around ¥429 ($3).
How do transport costs in Nara compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Nara is estimated at ¥5,241 ($34). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Nara are estimates based on Japan national averages adjusted for city size (population 352,377). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.