Naha vs Ya'an
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Ya'an is approximately 191% less expensive than Naha based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ya'an a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ya'an has a FIRE Score of 86/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Ya'an is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowJapan
Naha
China
Ya'an
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Naha
Naha is the rare subtropical island capital where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $653/mo and still eat out for $5 a meal, though the local average net salary of $1,331/mo means most residents are not living large. Rent is the real bargain here: $729/mo for a one-bedroom downtown, $570/mo outside the center, and a three-bedroom at $1,140/mo either way, which is why the cost of living index sits at just 70/100 against NYC. The catch is the Japan Digital Nomad Visa's $6,667/mo income floor, a bar that prices out plenty of remote workers who would otherwise thrive on 130 Mbps internet and a 90/100 safety index. Come for the subtropical climate and excellent healthcare, stay if you can clear the visa hurdle or already hold local work.
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.
Ya'an costs roughly 12.8x less than Naha. Naha scores significantly higher on safety and retiree suitability — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Ya'an is approximately 191% less expensive than Naha based on cost of living including rent. This makes Ya'an a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Ya'an has a FIRE Score of 86/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Ya'an is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Naha
Naha is the rare subtropical island capital where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $653/mo and still eat out for $5 a meal, though the local average net salary of $1,331/mo means most residents are not living large. Rent is the real bargain here: $729/mo for a one-bedroom downtown, $570/mo outside the center, and a three-bedroom at $1,140/mo either way, which is why the cost of living index sits at just 70/100 against NYC. The catch is the Japan Digital Nomad Visa's $6,667/mo income floor, a bar that prices out plenty of remote workers who would otherwise thrive on 130 Mbps internet and a 90/100 safety index. Come for the subtropical climate and excellent healthcare, stay if you can clear the visa hurdle or already hold local work.
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.
$1,997/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Ya'an
Ya'an is a cheap, high-scoring sleeper for anyone chasing FIRE on a budget: $250/mo for a city-centre one-bedroom and a $650/mo total single-adult budget make it one of the better value plays in China. The catch is that English proficiency is limited, the expat community is small, and the nearest airport is CTU, 190 km away, so daily life leans heavily on Mandarin and patience. Air quality sits at 68 and the retiree score of 64 trails its 88 FIRE score, meaning it rewards the frugal and self-sufficient far more than the comfort-seeking.
About China
China works for remote workers and business expats fluent in navigating bureaucracy, not retirees seeking an easy landing. Rent outside the city center averages just $238.5/mo, backing the low COL index of 30.7. But with no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and an advisory level of 2, getting legal footing here is the real obstacle, not the budget.
$1,900/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Naha | Ya'an |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $728.65 | $250 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $570.25 | $180 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1140.49 | $550 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1140.49 | $400 |
| Safety Index | 90 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 130Mbps | 110Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Naha | Ya'an |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,003/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $433/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $570/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $148/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $51.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $61.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $173/mo | N/A |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
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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