People enjoying the surroundings of Nara

Cost of living in Nara

Nara, a city rich in history and culture, is a unique place to live in Japan. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $6.46 on average, with a range between $4.84 and $9.68.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $32.28, with prices ranging from $19.37 to $45.19.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.16, with a range between $4.18 and $5.81.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.81 to $3.87, imported beer $1.94 to $4.52, cappuccino $0.97 to $3.87, and Coke/Pepsi $0.65 to $1.29.

Grocery Prices

Milk - Milk is priced between $1.02 and $1.87 per liter, averaging $1.42.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.65 and $4.84, with an average price of $1.38.
Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.05 to $2.58, averaging $2.22.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.61 to $12.91 per kg, while oranges range from $0.97 to $6.46 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.16 and $5.16 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.63 to $1.61 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.03 and $3.1.
Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.04 and $1.13 per liter.
Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.9, with a cost of $1.94 to $4.26 per km and $16.14 to $38.73 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $225.93 to $419.59, averaging $344.28.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $225.93 to $355.04, averaging $301.24.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $580.97.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $419.59 to $645.52, averaging $505.66.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $2582.08 to $3595.54, averaging $3088.81.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $1613.8 to $2582.08, averaging $2097.94.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $96.83 and $150.89, averaging $123.29.
Internet - Internet services range from $19.37 to $32.28, with an average cost of $28.3.

Worldwide

Japan

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: Feb, 2025

1. Tokyo

Japan

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 13 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$6.46

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$32.28

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$5.16

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.90

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.67

Cappuccino (regular)

$2.76

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.42

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$1.38

Eggs (regular) (12)

$2.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.81

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.07

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$3.61

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.97

Apples (1kg)

$3.11

Oranges (1kg)

$2.69

Potato (1kg)

$1.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.25

Rice (white), (1kg)

$2.21

Tomato (1kg)

$4.12

Banana (1kg)

$1.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.18

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$17.59

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$2.07

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.12

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$21,573.27

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.23

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$2.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.14

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$15,815.23

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,804.23

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

1.78%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$64.55

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$5,164.16

Overview Job Market

Nara Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Nara offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major Japanese cities, especially in terms of housing and dining.
Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable public transport and taxi services.
Grocery prices are reasonable, although some imported goods may be more expensive.

Conclusion

Living in Nara provides a balance of affordability and quality of life, making it an attractive option for both locals and expatriates.

With its rich cultural heritage and manageable living costs, Nara is a city that offers both historical charm and modern convenience.

Nara

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