Saga
佐賀県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by ceramics (arita/imari) & agriculture, tight-knit local community.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥333,131
≈ $2,221 USD / month
Budget
¥233,192
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥333,131
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥466,384
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Saga, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥297,934 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥40,711 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥14,334 |
Food & Groceries(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥100,937 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,055 |
| Food (average) | ¥4,772 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥48,020 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥27,768 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥20,580 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥15,958 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥12,843 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥12,540 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥4,241 |
Foreign Community in Saga
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
Saga International Balloon Fiesta
Asia's largest hot-air balloon festival with 100+ balloons
Karatsu Kunchi
UNESCO-listed festival with elaborate lacquered floats
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 year-round. Moderate winters. Warm, humid summers. Influenced by Genkai Sea.
Foreign Community
Economic & Investment Profile
Affordable Fukuoka alternative; ceramics industry (Arita/Imari); data center investment growing.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥3T
+0.5% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥3.7M
Avg. Income
280万円
≈ ¥2,800,000/yr
Unemployment
2.5%
Below national avg
Startup Rate
3.2%
Below average
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥33,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥50,000
/month
Land Price Trend
-0.3%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
14.2%
Above national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
↓ Declining
-0.7% YoY
Foreign Residents
8,500
+12.0% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥3T |
| GDP Growth | +0.5% |
| Average Income | 280\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | -0.3% |
| Vacant Houses | 14.2% |
| Foreign Residents | 8,500 |
| Startup Rate | 3.2% |
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 Saga
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Saga.
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.
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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 Saga?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Saga for a single person is approximately ¥333,131 (≈ $2,221 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Saga?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Saga, 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 Saga expensive compared to other prefectures?
Saga is approximately 14% cheaper than the national average, making it one of the more affordable prefectures in Japan.