Awaji, a picturesque island in Japan, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocating or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Awaji, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $8.75 on average, with a range between $6.48 and $12.96.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $32.41, with prices ranging from $25.93 to $52.15.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.19, with a range between $4.54 and $5.83.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.81 to $6.26, imported beer $2.14 to $6.26, cappuccino $0.97 to $4.69, and Coke/Pepsi $0.65 to $2.09.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.1 and $1.94 per liter, averaging $1.5.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.3 and $2.59, with an average price of $1.73.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.05 to $2.59, averaging $2.18.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.79 to $12.96 per kg, while oranges range from $2.59 to $6.48 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.3 and $5.19 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.64 to $2.59 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.06 and $1.13 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.92, with a cost of $2.59 to $4.28 per km and $16.2 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs $21,662.44, while a Toyota Corolla is priced at $15,988.64.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool is between $421.32 and $648.19 monthly, averaging $576.17.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly tuition for international primary school ranges from $11,667.38 to $19,445.64, averaging $15,772.57.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $97.23 and $282.37, averaging $144.22.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $22.69 to $38.89, with an average cost of $30.08.

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Japan are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Japan, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 2 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$8.75
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$32.41
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$5.19
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.77
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.50
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.73
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.18
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.12
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$8.10
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$6.48
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.59
Apples (1kg)
$6.32
Oranges (1kg)
$4.11
Potato (1kg)
$3.24
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.99
Tomato (1kg)
$8.10
Banana (1kg)
$2.32
Onion (1kg)
$2.35
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$16.50
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$21,662.44
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.24
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.85
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.20
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$15,988.64
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$144.22
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$30.08
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$25.45
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.67
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$22.69
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$46.99
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$85.88
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,269.26
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
1.78%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$576.17
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$15,772.57
Awaji Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Awaji offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Japanese cities, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.

Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable fuel prices and taxi fares.

Housing and utility costs are manageable, making Awaji an attractive option for families and individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Awaji presents a cost-effective living environment with its affordable dining, grocery, and transportation options.

The island's housing and utility expenses are also reasonable, making it a desirable location for those looking to enjoy a peaceful lifestyle without the high costs associated with urban centers.