Cost of living in Kitakyushu

Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Kitakyushu.

Numbeo data as of 1 June 2026
About this data
Living costs
Numbeo household estimates and average prices from a snapshot taken on 1 June 2026. Prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city.
Salary
Grossed up through Expatica's tax rules for Japan (2026), one employment income per adult, no savings.
Currency
Shown in JPY, converted from the US dollar figures at Wise mid-market rates of 21 October 2026.

Source: Numbeo. All sources and method

One person, a month

¥131,769

Living costs excluding rent

Family of four, a month

¥449,051

Living costs excluding rent

One-bedroom rent, centre

¥65,816

A month

Gross salary, one person

¥2,670,000

to cover living costs in Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu's cost of living at a glance

Kitakyushu is among the less expensive cities in Japan but one of the most expensive cities in Asia. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Kitakyushu are ¥131,769, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are ¥449,051 a month, excluding rent.

A single person in Kitakyushu may need a gross salary of at least ¥2,670,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.

See how Kitakyushu compares

One person's monthly costs

Numbeo household estimate in JPY, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre

  • Rent¥65,816
  • Groceries¥47,603
  • Eating out¥15,386
  • Transport¥6,094
  • Utilities¥30,945
  • Leisure¥9,013
  • Other estimated costs¥22,727

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

How Kitakyushu compares

One person's monthly costs in Kitakyushu, excluding rent, are 0.6% lower than in the typical city in Japan and 7.6% lower than in the typical city worldwide.

Where Kitakyushu ranks

In Japan

10th of 15

One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.

In Asia

97th of 407

Cities in Asia with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.

Worldwide

35th percentile

Costs the same as or more than 35% of 1,942 cities: a relatively affordable city.

One-bedroom rent, centre

9th of 15

Cities in Japan, most expensive first.

Monthly costs against the typical city

  • Kitakyushu
  • Typical national city
  • Typical city worldwide

Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.

Monthly costKitakyushuTypical national cityTypical city worldwide
Rent¥65,816¥68,429 −3.8%¥117,406 −43.9%
Groceries¥47,603¥51,802 −8.1%¥44,422 +7.2%
Eating out¥15,386¥14,264 +7.9%¥25,012 −38.5%
Transport¥6,094¥8,011 −23.9%¥6,325 −3.6%
Utilities¥30,945¥23,211 +33.3%¥27,617 +12.1%
Leisure¥9,013¥9,948 −9.4%¥9,799 −8.0%
Total excluding rent¥131,769¥132,626 −0.6%¥142,557 −7.6%
Total including rent¥197,585¥225,124 −12.2%¥264,560 −25.3%

Typical = the median of 15 cities in Japan and 1,942 cities worldwide.

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Explore prices in Kitakyushu

The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.

Renting in Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu is the 7th cheapest city in Japan for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in Japan is Nara.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ¥65,816 a month.

Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs ¥47,007 a month.

A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 40% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
1-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
¥65,816Not available
1-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
¥47,007Not available
3-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
¥130,235Not available
3-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
¥89,910Not available
Price per m² in the city centre¥791,045Not available
Price per m² outside the centre¥339,118Not available

Cost of everyday items in Kitakyushu

Groceries in Kitakyushu are around 10% cheaper than the average for Japan, while eating out is around 1% more expensive than the country average.

A litre of milk typically costs ¥231.

A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs ¥206.

A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs ¥621.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Milk, 1 litre¥231¥130–¥394
Fresh white bread, 500g¥206¥120–¥451
Eggs, 12 large¥357¥288–¥397
Local cheese, 1kg¥1,523¥1,523–¥3,806
Chicken fillets, 1kg¥862¥802–¥985
Beef round, 1kg¥3,004¥3,004–¥3,004
Apples, 1kg¥576¥400–¥751
Oranges, 1kg¥451¥201–¥700
Potatoes, 1kg¥601¥601–¥601
Lettuce, 1 head¥142¥125–¥569
White rice, 1kg¥854¥751–¥1,301
Tomatoes, 1kg¥465¥465–¥465
Bananas, 1kg¥225¥201–¥601
Onions, 1kg¥414¥250–¥601
Water, 1.5 litre bottle¥150¥100–¥201
Mid-range bottle of wine¥1,001¥1,001–¥1,502
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle¥277¥228–¥300
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle¥275¥275–¥300
Cigarettes, 20 pack¥621¥601–¥621

Eating out in Kitakyushu

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant¥1,126¥1,052–¥1,502
Three-course meal for two¥5,258¥4,005–¥14,019
Fast food combo meal¥851¥700–¥1,001
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught¥470¥338–¥601
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle¥563¥326–¥802
Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle¥158¥130–¥400
Water, 0.33 litre bottle¥109¥100–¥300
Cappuccino¥531¥150–¥700

Transport in Kitakyushu

ItemAverage pricePrice range
One-way public transport ticket¥261¥240–¥280
Monthly public transport pass¥6,094Not available
Gasoline, 1 litre¥160¥145–¥176
Taxi start¥670¥580–¥670
Taxi, per km¥326¥321–¥670
Taxi waiting, 1 hour¥2,829¥2,454–¥3,205
Volkswagen Golf, new¥3,254,530¥3,254,530–¥3,438,787
Toyota Corolla sedan, new¥2,769,696¥2,453,414–¥4,205,853

Utilities in Kitakyushu

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment
Monthly
¥31,329¥24,762–¥35,466
Broadband internet
Monthly
¥5,163¥4,627–¥6,508
Mobile phone plan
Monthly
¥3,926¥3,004–¥5,006

How is Kitakyushu for families?

A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of ¥8,237,000 a year in Kitakyushu, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs ¥60,084 a month.

A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ¥130,235 a month.

Kitakyushu scores 80/100 on Numbeo's safety index.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Family of four, excluding rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
¥449,051Not applicable
Family of four, including rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
¥579,286Not applicable
Private preschool or kindergarten
Monthly
¥60,084¥60,084–¥60,084
International primary school
Annual
¥1,928,184¥1,752,439–¥2,299,500

Leisure and clothing in Kitakyushu

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Gym membership
Monthly
¥8,512Not available
Tennis court rental, 1 hour¥501Not available
Cinema ticket¥2,003¥2,003–¥2,003
Jeans¥8,011¥3,004–¥10,014
Summer dress from a chain store¥5,239¥5,239–¥5,239
Nike running shoes¥10,515¥8,011–¥12,017
Men's leather business shoes¥8,762¥8,762–¥8,762

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

What salary do I need to live in Kitakyushu?

By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in Japan, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Kitakyushu. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Kitakyushu, and where your money goes.

Your household

Housing location
Housing location

Select the number of children before choosing child care or school.

¥

Money left over after tax and living costs. Leave blank for none.

Savings target period
Savings target period
Show amounts
Show annual or monthly amounts

Recommended gross salary

¥2,669,620

Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Kitakyushu, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.

Take-home pay
¥2,145,311
Living costs
¥2,145,311
Tax and contributions
¥524,309

Where your salary goes

¥2,669,620gross a year
  • Living costs¥2,145,31180.4%
  • Income tax and contributions¥524,30919.6%
How the recommended income was worked out
OperatorItemA year
Gross salary¥2,669,620
−Income tax and contributions¥524,309
=Take-home pay¥2,145,311
−Rent¥564,088
−Groceries¥571,242
−Eating out¥184,627
−Transport¥73,130
−Utilities¥371,340
−Leisure¥108,157
−Other estimated costs¥272,727
=Left over: savings target¥0

¥2,669,620 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 19.6% effective tax rate and ¥524,309 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.

What the estimate includes

  • Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
  • National income tax for 2026
  • Employee social contributions, simplified

What it doesn't include

  • Regional, state or local income tax
  • Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
  • Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
  • Bonuses, benefits and other income
  • Child care or school unless you choose it

Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.

How each cost is worked out

Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Kitakyushu costs an estimated ¥47,007 per month. ¥47,007 per month × 12 months = ¥564,088 a year.

Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Kitakyushu spends an estimated ¥47,603 on groceries per month. ¥47,603 per month × 12 months = ¥571,242 a year.

Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Kitakyushu spends an estimated ¥15,386 on eating out per month. ¥15,386 per month × 12 months = ¥184,627 a year.

Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Kitakyushu spends an estimated ¥6,094 on transport per month. ¥6,094 per month × 12 months = ¥73,130 a year.

Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Kitakyushu spends an estimated ¥30,945 on utilities per month. ¥30,945 per month × 12 months = ¥371,340 a year.

Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Kitakyushu spends an estimated ¥9,013 on leisure per month. ¥9,013 per month × 12 months = ¥108,157 a year.

Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. ¥22,727 per month × 12 months = ¥272,727 a year.

See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated

Tax estimate assumptions

Tax year 2026. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. National income tax brackets only. Reconstruction Special Income Tax (2.1% of income tax) included as a separate deduction. Excludes local inhabitant tax (~10%), employment income deduction (給与所得控除), basic deduction (基礎控除 ¥480,000), and other personal deductions.

Try Expatica's tax calculator for Japan

Important

This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, Japan's tax rules for 2026 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / NTA.

Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.

Cost of living in Kitakyushu: common questions

Is Kitakyushu expensive to live in?

Kitakyushu is among the less expensive cities in Japan but one of the most expensive cities in Asia.

A single person spends about ¥131,769 a month excluding rent, against ¥132,626 in the typical city in Japan (the median of 15 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).

Worldwide, Kitakyushu costs the same as or more than 35% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it a relatively affordable city.

What salary do you need to live in Kitakyushu?

A single person may need a gross salary of at least ¥2,670,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Kitakyushu, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.

This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and Japan's tax rules for 2026. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.

How much is rent in Kitakyushu?

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ¥65,816 a month, and ¥47,007 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.

A three-bedroom apartment costs about ¥130,235 a month in the centre and ¥89,910 outside it.

Kitakyushu is the 7th cheapest city in Japan for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

How much does a family spend in Kitakyushu?

A family of four spends about ¥449,051 a month on living costs excluding rent, or ¥579,286 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.

With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of ¥8,237,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs ¥60,084 a month per child.

How does Kitakyushu compare with Japan's other cities?

Kitakyushu ranks 10th of 15 cities in Japan for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.

Excluding rent, one person's costs are 0.6% less than in the typical city in Japan.

Where this data comes from

Living costs and prices
Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
Exchange rates
Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
Tax rules
Expatica salary tax calculator, Japan 2026
Locations and population
GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
Regions for continent ranks
UN M49 regions

Important

All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.

How living costs and salaries are calculated
  • Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
  • Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
  • "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
  • Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
  • The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for Japan (2026). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
  • Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
  • A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 15 cities in Japan in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
  • Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Kitakyushu's.
  • Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
  • Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside Japan and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
  • The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.