Saitama
埼玉県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by manufacturing & logistics, growing expat presence.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥455,493
≈ $3,037 USD / month
Budget
¥318,845
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥455,493
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥637,690
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Saitama, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(4 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥406,883 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥59,559 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥21,472 |
| Retail Price Index(index) | ¥5,208 |
Food & Groceries(4 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥135,623 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,199 |
| Food (average) | ¥3,478 |
| Bread (white) | ¥518 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥44,337 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥38,605 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥29,630 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥21,072 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥20,848 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥20,384 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥15,353 |
Foreign Community in Saitama
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
Chichibu Night Festival
UNESCO Intangible Heritage — illuminated floats and winter fireworks
Kawagoe Festival
Elaborate Edo-period float procession in Little Edo
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
Hot, humid summers (one of the hottest in Kanto). Mild, dry winters.
Foreign Community
Future Events & Business Opportunities
Investment Highlight
Saitama offers Tokyo-adjacent business opportunities at significantly lower costs, with strong transport links via multiple Shinkansen lines.
Saitama New Urban Center Development
InfrastructureMedium ImpactOngoing redevelopment around Saitama-Shintoshin and Omiya stations is transforming the area into a major business hub. New office towers and commercial facilities are drawing companies from central Tokyo.
Business Opportunity
Lower rents than Tokyo with excellent Shinkansen access make Saitama attractive for branch offices and startups. Growing demand for commercial services and dining.
Infrastructure Projects
- Omiya Station area redevelopment
- Saitama-Shintoshin commercial expansion
Economic & Investment Profile
Tokyo bedroom community with rising independence; Omiya/Urawa redevelopment; low vacancy rate.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥23.8T
+1.5% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥3.2M
Avg. Income
370万円
≈ ¥3,700,000/yr
Unemployment
2.5%
Below national avg
Startup Rate
4.3%
Moderate
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥52,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥82,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+1.5%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
10.2%
Below national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
→ Stable
0.0% YoY
Foreign Residents
210,000
+11.0% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥23.8T |
| GDP Growth | +1.5% |
| Average Income | 370\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +1.5% |
| Vacant Houses | 10.2% |
| Foreign Residents | 210,000 |
| Startup Rate | 4.3% |
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 Saitama
1Annual tuition fees for international schools in Saitama, sorted from most affordable to highest. Fees are approximate and may vary by grade level; check each school's website for current rates.
Tokorozawa
¥1,000,000 - ¥1,400,000
per year
Ontario (Canada) curriculum. Affordable. West Tokyo area accessible. Canadian high school diploma.
Find an Apartment in Saitama
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Saitama.
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 Saitama?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Saitama for a single person is approximately ¥455,493 (≈ $3,037 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Saitama?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Saitama, 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 Saitama expensive compared to other prefectures?
Saitama is approximately 18% more expensive than the national average.