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Cost of Living in Sendai

Sendai, Miyagi, Japan · Population 1,061,177

▲ +8% vs Japan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)¥163,834 ($1,057)
Couple, monthly¥297,166 ($1,917)
Family of four, monthly¥390,451 ($2,519)

Estimated Prices in Sendai

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant¥1,537 ($9.92)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range¥6,149 ($39.67)per meal
Cappuccino¥461 ($2.98)each
Monthly groceries (single person)¥34,845 ($225)per month
Monthly public transport pass¥5,637 ($36.37)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment¥14,860 ($95.87)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)¥4,304 ($27.77)per month
Fitness club membership¥4,304 ($27.77)per month
Cinema ticket¥1,127 ($7.27)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre¥88,188 ($569)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre¥61,348 ($396)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre¥184,045 ($1,187)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Sendai is ¥441,750 ($2,850) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ¥163,834 ($1,057) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ¥212,984 ($1,374) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (¥61,348 ($396)) represents about 37% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Sendai

Sendai vs TokyoSendai vs ŌsakaSendai vs NagoyaSendai vs YokohamaSendai vs FukuokaSendai vs Sapporo

Nearby Cities

Natori-shi

11 km away · Miyagi

Rifu

12 km away · Miyagi

Tagajō

12 km away · Miyagi

Shiogama

14 km away · Miyagi

Tomiya

15 km away · Miyagi

Shichigahama

17 km away · Miyagi

Iwanuma

18 km away · Miyagi

Taiwa

19 km away · Miyagi

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 Sendai

Sendai is one of the key cities in Japan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ¥163,834 ($1,057), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ¥61,348 ($396) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ¥390,451 ($2,519) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ¥297,166 ($1,917) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Sendai is ¥441,750 ($2,850). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ¥212,984 ($1,374) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sendai expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ¥163,834 ($1,057) per month in Sendai including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Japan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sendai?
A net salary of around ¥212,984 ($1,374) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sendai with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sendai is ¥441,750 ($2,850).
How much is rent in Sendai?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ¥88,188 ($569) per month in the city centre and ¥61,348 ($396) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ¥184,045 ($1,187).
Is Sendai cheaper than Japan on average?
No — Sendai is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Japan average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Sendai?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ¥34,845 ($225) in Sendai. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ¥1,537 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around ¥461 ($3).
How do transport costs in Sendai compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sendai is estimated at ¥5,637 ($36). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sendai are estimates based on Japan national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,061,177). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.