How much does it cost to live in Fukuoka each month?

At the mid-range tier, one adult needs about $1,007 a month in Fukuoka, rent included, with $334 of that going to rent. That leaves roughly $673 for everything except housing.

What is rent like in Fukuoka?

In Fukuoka, a one-bedroom runs $530 in the center and $334 outside it and three bedrooms come to $1,147 in the center and $709 outside it, per month.

What is the average monthly salary in Fukuoka?

Average monthly net salary in Fukuoka is $2,190. That is 217% of the $1,007 mid-range monthly budget.

Is Fukuoka safe for expats?

Fukuoka scores 84.79 on the safety index (higher is safer) and a crime index of 15.21 (lower is safer).

What is the internet like in Fukuoka?

Average internet speed in Fukuoka is 238 Mbps. A home connection costs about $33/mo.

What is the weather like in Fukuoka?

In Fukuoka, summer averages 25-32°C, winter averages 4-12°C and annual rainfall is 1686.9 mm.

Do I need to speak Japanese in Fukuoka?

English is common in international hotels, the startup scene and Kyushu University Hospital, but daily errands such as opening a bank account or renting an apartment often require Japanese. Basic conversation skills make bureaucracy easier.

How do I get from Fukuoka Airport to the city?

The subway's Airport Line runs from Fukuoka Airport Station to Hakata Station in about five minutes and continues to Tenjin. The airport is roughly 5 km from the city centre, and taxis take 15 to 20 minutes.

What internet speeds can remote workers expect?

Fixed broadband in Fukuoka has a median download speed of around 238 Mbps, based on city-level speed tests. Co-working spaces operate in Tenjin and Hakata, and the startup visa supports founders who base themselves in the city.

When is the best time to visit Fukuoka?

October and November bring mild, dry weather and are widely considered the most comfortable months. April and May are also pleasant, while June and July are humid and wet, and August and September carry typhoon risk.

Do I need a car in Fukuoka?

A car is not necessary for most residents. The subway, buses and bike share cover the urban core, and the airport is a short subway ride from Hakata. Cars help for trips to rural Kyushu but not for daily city life.

Where do expats live in Fukuoka?

Tenjin and Hakata are popular for transport and nightlife, Yakuin and Ohori Park attract families and professionals, and Daimyo has a concentration of cafes and independent shops. Nishijin is quieter and close to Seinan Gakuin University.

Fukuoka, Japan

🌊 Coastal

Data updated Nov 11, 2026

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📊 Scores

Retiree

Digital Nomad

Best fit: Digital Nomad (score: 74)

Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu and the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture. It sits on Hakata Bay, about 5 km from Fukuoka Airport, and the subway connects the airport to Hakata Station in roughly five minutes. The city runs a compact network of three subway lines, buses and a bike-share scheme, and daily life rarely requires a car. Summers are hot and humid with a rainy season in June and July, while winters are mild. Fukuoka has run Japan's first startup visa since 2015, and the city government supports foreign founders through dedicated programmes. English is limited outside international business and tourism, so basic Japanese helps with paperwork and daily errands. Healthcare is strong, with Kyushu University Hospital offering English-language patient support.

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🏚️ Cost of Living

💰 Budgets and Costs

$1,007/mo, one person, rent included

Selected: mid-range lifestyle

Fukuoka at the mid-range tier comes to about $1,007 a month for one adult, with $334 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $164 on groceries, $76.00 on dining out, $113 on entertainment and lifestyle, $269 on utilities and connectivity and $51.00 on transport.

Rent

$334/mo

1BR outside the centre

Groceries

$164/mo

Staples basket scaled to a full month

Dining out

$76.00/mo

10 inexpensive meals

Entertainment & lifestyle

$113/mo

gym, 2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos

Utilities & connectivity

$269/mo

utilities, mobile, internet

Transport

$51.00/mo

Monthly pass

Budgets (excl. rent)

Single person$673/mo

Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.

Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.

A 1BR in the center runs about $529.69/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.

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🛡️ Safety & Crime

84.79

Safety Index

(Higher is safer)

15.21

Crime Index

(Lower is safer)

211.41

Quality of Life Index

(Higher is better)

Violent crime is rare, and the US State Department maintains a Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) advisory for Japan. Petty theft can occur in busy nightlife districts such as Nakasu.

🏥 Healthcare

Excellent

Health Care Index (higher is better)

84.13

Public Hospitals

Yes

Private Clinics

Yes

English-Speaking Doctors

Available

Japan's public health insurance covers registered residents, and Kyushu University Hospital (Maidashi, Higashi-ku) runs an international patient support centre with English and Chinese interpreters. Private clinics and dental practices with English-speaking staff operate in central wards.

See how Fukuoka's healthcare compares with Kofu

🌤️ Climate

Climate Zones

Subtropical

Summer Temp

25-32°C

Winter Temp

4-12°C

Humidity

68%

Air Quality Index

10.9

Pollution Index (lower is better)

34.14

Climate Index (higher is better)

86.35

Annual Rainfall

1686.9 mm

Best Months

OctNovAprMay

Climate Notes

Summers are hot and humid, with mean daily maxima of 31 to 32.5 degrees Celsius in July and August. The rainy season runs through June and July, and typhoons can affect the city between August and September.

Commute & Property

Commute Time Index

38.17

Price to Income Ratio

8.15

Indices last read Nov 11, 2026.

💻 Digital Nomad

Avg Internet Speed

238 Mbps

Internet (monthly)

$33/mo

Digital Nomad Score

74/100

Community Notes

Fukuoka has a growing remote-work and founder community centred on Tenjin and Hakata. Japan's digital nomad visa, launched in 2024, allows a non-renewable stay of up to six months and requires an annual income of at least JPY 10 million earned outside Japan; it is limited to nationals of around 50 eligible countries and regions. The city's startup visa gives founders a separate route: a six-month Designated Activities status, extendable once, to prepare for a Business Manager visa.

Planning to live in Fukuoka long-term? Japan Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live legally with a minimum income of $6,667/month.

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🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency

Common in Tourist Areas

Expat Community

Medium

Top Neighborhoods

Tenjin, Hakata, Yakuin, Ohori Park, Daimyo, Nishijin

Transport Options

MetroBusBike ShareWalking-Friendly

Expat Life Notes

The subway's Airport Line links the airport, Hakata Station and Tenjin, and Nishitetsu buses fill the gaps across the city. Charichari bike share operates thousands of bicycles from hundreds of ports in central Fukuoka.

🏘️ Neighborhoods in Fukuoka

Areas of Fukuoka that expats often consider.

Conditions can change from one block to the next, and these descriptions are general guides, not safety assessments. Before choosing where to stay or live, check current travel advisories, talk to people who live there, and visit in person if you can.

Tenjin

Commercial core, shopping, nightlife

Hakata

Transport hub, business, dining

Yakuin

Trendy, cafes, young professionals

Ohori Park

Green space, families, museums

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Fukuoka

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💰 Budgets and Costs

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🛡️ Safety & Crime

🏥 Healthcare

🌤️ Climate

Best Months

Climate Notes

Commute & Property

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Community Notes

🧳 Expat Life

Expat Life Notes

🏘️ Neighborhoods in Fukuoka

Tenjin

Hakata

Yakuin

Ohori Park

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Fukuoka won't stay this cheap forever.