Fukuoka
福岡県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, strong startup ecosystem, large international community.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥391,482
≈ $2,610 USD / month
Budget
¥274,038
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥391,482
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥548,075
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Fukuoka, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥350,727 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥60,477 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥12,886 |
Food & Groceries(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥105,429 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,392 |
| Food (average) | ¥4,940 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥50,080 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥29,995 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥27,771 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥21,261 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥17,430 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥13,626 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥11,772 |
Foreign Community in Fukuoka
Top Nationalities
Source: Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) end-of-2023 statistics. A larger foreign community often means more multilingual services, international shops, and established support networks for newcomers.
Lifestyle Profile
Top Industries
Local Specialties
Lifestyle
Events & Festivals
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
Men race through streets carrying 1-ton floats — 770+ year tradition
Hakata Dontaku
Japan's largest parade festival with 2 million spectators
Digital Nomad Score
Based on coworking availability, internet speed, and cafe culture.
Entrepreneur Score
Based on startup ecosystem, business support, and market access.
Outdoor & Activities
Climate
Mild winters. Hot, humid summers. Comfortable spring and fall. Warm overall.
Foreign Community
Future Events & Business Opportunities
Investment Highlight
Fukuoka is Japan's fastest-growing major city with the Tenjin Big Bang and Hakata Connected creating massive urban renewal. Its Startup Special Zone offers fast-track visas for foreign entrepreneurs — unique in Japan.
Tenjin Big Bang — 2026 Milestone Year
InfrastructureHigh ImpactMayor Takashima called 2026 a pivotal year for the Tenjin Big Bang redevelopment. Multiple projects complete in 2026: Tenjin Business Center Phase 2 (June), a 21-story mixed-use tower (December), and the Ace Hotel opening in 2027. The initiative uses public-private partnership deregulation to transform Fukuoka's CBD.
Business Opportunity
New premium office space, hotel and hospitality opportunities, and retail in Japan's fastest-growing major city. Fukuoka's startup-friendly policies and lower costs than Tokyo attract international entrepreneurs.
Hakata Connected
InfrastructureHigh ImpactThe Hakata Connected initiative is redeveloping the area around JR Hakata Station with new commercial buildings, underground passages, and improved transit connections. NCB Hall and new office towers are opening in 2026-2027.
Business Opportunity
Commercial real estate, transit-connected retail, and business services in Japan's gateway to Asia. Hakata's proximity to South Korea and Southeast Asia makes it a natural regional hub.
Infrastructure Projects
- Tenjin Big Bang (multiple buildings completing 2026-2027)
- Hakata Connected station area redevelopment
- Ace Hotel Fukuoka (opening 2027)
- Fukuoka Airport runway expansion
- Tenjin Business Center Phase 2 (June 2026)
Special Economic Zones & Hubs
- Fukuoka Startup Special Zone (visa fast-track for entrepreneurs)
- Tenjin Big Bang deregulation zone
Economic & Investment Profile
Japan's startup capital (National Strategic Special Zone); fastest-growing major city; Tenjin Big Bang redevelopment.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥20.5T
+2.0% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥4M
Avg. Income
350万円
≈ ¥3,500,000/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Near national avg
Startup Rate
5.8%
High entrepreneurship
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥38,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥65,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+4.0%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
12.0%
Below national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
↑ Growing
+0.3% YoY
Foreign Residents
90,000
+15.0% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥20.5T |
| GDP Growth | +2.0% |
| Average Income | 350\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +4.0% |
| Vacant Houses | 12.0% |
| Foreign Residents | 90,000 |
| Startup Rate | 5.8% |
Sources: Cabinet Office (GDP), Ministry of Internal Affairs (population), Immigration Services Agency (foreign residents), MLIT (land prices, housing survey), National Tax Agency (income). Data from 2022-2024 publications.
International Schools in Fukuoka
1Annual tuition fees for international schools in Fukuoka, sorted from most affordable to highest. Fees are approximate and may vary by grade level; check each school's website for current rates.
Sawara-ku, Fukuoka
¥1,400,000 - ¥1,900,000
per year
IB PYP and MYP. Fukuoka's only accredited international school. Growing expat community.
Find an Apartment in Fukuoka
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Fukuoka.
Real Estate Japan
Comprehensive English-language property listings with prefecture-level filtering. Search rentals, share houses, and furnished apartments.
GaijinPot Apartments
Japan's largest foreigner-friendly apartment search. All listed properties welcome foreign tenants, with bilingual agent support.
Akiya Japan (Vacant Houses)
Browse affordable akiya (vacant/abandoned houses) across Japan. Prices start from under 1 million yen in rural areas.
External links — these sites are operated independently. JapanCost is not responsible for their content or listings.
Cities & Municipalities (0)
No city data available for this prefecture yet. Data coming soon.
Also Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Fukuoka?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Fukuoka for a single person is approximately ¥391,482 (≈ $2,610 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Fukuoka?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Fukuoka, grouped by category (food, housing, utilities, etc.). You can see exactly how much everyday items like rice, eggs, milk, and transit passes cost, sourced directly from Japan's e-Stat government data.
Is Fukuoka expensive compared to other prefectures?
Fukuoka is approximately 2% more expensive than the national average.