Nara
奈良県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by tourism & traditional crafts, tight-knit local community.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥353,688
≈ $2,358 USD / month
Budget
¥247,582
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥353,688
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥495,163
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Nara, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥316,444 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥38,591 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥16,974 |
Food & Groceries(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥115,735 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,136 |
| Food (average) | ¥5,042 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥37,692 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥32,513 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥21,850 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥21,312 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥17,198 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥10,649 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥3,933 |
Foreign Community in Nara
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
Omizutori
Sacred water-drawing ceremony with fire torches at Todai-ji
Nara Tokae
20,000 candles illuminate Nara Park and Kasuga Shrine
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 basin climate. Cold winter mornings in the Yamato basin. Hot, humid summers.
Foreign Community
Economic & Investment Profile
Bedroom community for Osaka; cultural tourism assets; limited independent economic growth.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥3.8T
+0.3% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥2.8M
Avg. Income
310万円
≈ ¥3,100,000/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Near national avg
Startup Rate
3.0%
Below average
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥35,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥55,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+0.2%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
14.0%
Above national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
↓ Declining
-0.7% YoY
Foreign Residents
14,500
+10.5% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥3.8T |
| GDP Growth | +0.3% |
| Average Income | 310\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +0.2% |
| Vacant Houses | 14.0% |
| Foreign Residents | 14,500 |
| Startup Rate | 3.0% |
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.
Find an Apartment in Nara
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Nara.
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 Nara?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Nara for a single person is approximately ¥353,688 (≈ $2,358 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Nara?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Nara, 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 Nara expensive compared to other prefectures?
Nara is approximately 8% cheaper than the national average, making it one of the more affordable prefectures in Japan.