Kamakura vs Shiga
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Shiga is approximately 148% less expensive than Kamakura based on cost of living including rent. This makes Shiga a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Shiga has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 92, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Shiga is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Kamakura
Japan
Shiga
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Shiga
Shiga is the rare Japanese prefecture where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $552/mo, and a 1-bedroom outside the center costs just $190/mo, which is almost absurdly cheap for a place 11 km from KIX. The catch is the local average net salary of $1,215/mo, so unless you are remote or retired, the math gets tight fast, and the limited English proficiency plus a small expat community in Otsu and Kusatsu will test your patience. Still, with a safety index of 92/100, a crime index of 8/100, excellent healthcare, and an overall expat score of 81/100, Shiga rewards anyone who values calm, cheap living over big-city convenience.
About Japan
Safe, efficient, and financially punishing for anyone chasing early retirement. A 1BR in central Tokyo runs $531.81/mo, cheap by American standards, but progressive income tax up to ~55% (incl. local) erases most remote-work savings. No retirement visa exists, and the digital nomad route requires $6,667/mo income with zero path to permanent residency or citizenship without a long, difficult grind.
Shiga costs roughly 10% less than Kamakura. Kamakura leads on digital nomad infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Shiga is approximately 148% less expensive than Kamakura based on cost of living including rent. This makes Shiga a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Shiga has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 92, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Shiga is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Kamakura
Kamakura is the rare Japanese city where a $1,100/mo city-center one-bedroom buys you a beach town with excellent healthcare and an 85/100 safety index, though the $1,771/mo average net salary means most locals are not the ones paying it. The expat scene is small and English lives mostly in tourist areas, so this suits someone who wants a quiet, walkable base over a built-in social circle. Digital nomads should note the Japan Digital Nomad Visa demands $6,667/mo in income, a steep bar for a town this low-key. Come for the mild winters and Yuigahama, stay if you can afford the calm.
About Japan
Safe, efficient, and financially punishing for anyone chasing early retirement. A 1BR in central Tokyo runs $531.81/mo, cheap by American standards, but progressive income tax up to ~55% (incl. local) erases most remote-work savings. No retirement visa exists, and the digital nomad route requires $6,667/mo income with zero path to permanent residency or citizenship without a long, difficult grind.
$1,687/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Shiga
Shiga is the rare Japanese prefecture where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $552/mo, and a 1-bedroom outside the center costs just $190/mo, which is almost absurdly cheap for a place 11 km from KIX. The catch is the local average net salary of $1,215/mo, so unless you are remote or retired, the math gets tight fast, and the limited English proficiency plus a small expat community in Otsu and Kusatsu will test your patience. Still, with a safety index of 92/100, a crime index of 8/100, excellent healthcare, and an overall expat score of 81/100, Shiga rewards anyone who values calm, cheap living over big-city convenience.
About Japan
Safe, efficient, and financially punishing for anyone chasing early retirement. A 1BR in central Tokyo runs $531.81/mo, cheap by American standards, but progressive income tax up to ~55% (incl. local) erases most remote-work savings. No retirement visa exists, and the digital nomad route requires $6,667/mo income with zero path to permanent residency or citizenship without a long, difficult grind.
$2,071/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Kamakura | Shiga |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1100 | $442.86 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $850 | $189.8 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2000 | $948.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1550 | $506.12 |
| Safety Index | 57.94 | 92 |
| Internet Speed | 70Mbps | 150Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Kamakura | Shiga |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,311/mo | $936/mo |
| Excluding rent | $461/mo | $746/mo |
| Rent | $850/mo | $190/mo |
| Groceries | $148/mo | $194/mo |
| Dining out | $63.00/mo | $63.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $79.00/mo | $117/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $171/mo | $182/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $190/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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