Livability Report
FukuiLivability Score
Fukui·Pop. 251,775
Livability analysis of Fukui, Fukui across 5 axes: safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy based on government open data.
Published 2026-03-24 · Data updated 2026-10-08
Where in Japan
Overall Score
* These scores are based on statistical analysis of public data and do not represent a definitive assessment of any area. Actual livability varies depending on individual values and lifestyle.
5-axis scores
Basic Information
Population
251,775
Prefecture
Fukui
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
This article's text predates the October 2026 data and scoring revision and is being rewritten.
Safety

Alex
How safe is Fukui? Hokuriku prefectural capitals seem like safe places.

Yuki
What does the specific crime data show?
Kai
Fukui's crime rate is 3.82 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 58.8 — quite high. As a castle town dating back to Shibata Katsuie's Kitanosho Castle, strong community bonds contribute to its safety. The city's phoenix symbol, representing its recovery from wartime bombing and a major earthquake, reflects a strong sense of civic solidarity. It's a calm, reassuring city to live in.

Cost of Living

Alex
How much does it cost to live in Fukui?

Yuki
What are the land price and rent levels?
Kai
Fukui's average land price is 80,933 yen per square meter, and the average rent is 45,302 yen, with a cost score of 54.2. Quite affordable for a prefectural capital. Being a designated heavy snowfall area means winter snow removal and heating costs are a factor, but the low housing costs keep overall living expenses manageable. The Hokuriku Shinkansen now provides direct access from Tokyo, improving the cost-performance ratio.

Convenience

Alex
How convenient is Fukui for transportation and shopping?

Yuki
The Hokuriku Shinkansen opened recently — what about everyday life?
Kai
The public transit usage rate is 3.3% as it's car-dependent, but the convenience score is a respectable 53.7. The Hokuriku Shinkansen now provides direct access from Tokyo, dramatically improving long-distance connectivity. Retail density is 10.01 per 1,000 and restaurants 6.57 per 1,000 — both very high. As the administrative and commercial center where about 34% of the prefecture's population is concentrated, daily necessities are well covered.

Welfare

Alex
How are healthcare and education in Fukui?

Yuki
Fukui Prefecture is known for strong education. Is that reflected in the data?
Kai
The welfare score is 54.8, quite robust. Medical facility density is 10.71 per 10,000, with 27 hospitals and 254 clinics. The hospital density of 1.03 per 10,000 is notably high. The school count is 0.31 per 1,000 across 82 schools — very well-equipped. Fukui Prefecture is known for high academic test scores nationally, and this detailed educational infrastructure supports that reputation.

Economy

Alex
How's the economy in Fukui? Is the textile industry still important?

Yuki
What do the income and migration numbers tell us?
Kai
The economy score is 47.6. Taxable income per capita is about 3.46 million yen, with net outmigration of 957 people and a rate of -0.36%. Light industry centered on textiles and commerce form the economic backbone, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen opening is expected to boost visitor numbers. As a city that rose like a phoenix from wartime bombing and a major earthquake, Fukui has demonstrated remarkable economic resilience and adaptability.

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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 6.09 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 54,124 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 48,797 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 3.3 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 2,625 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 10.43 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 1,724 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 6.85 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 99.9 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 11.12 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 27 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 1.07 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 253 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 10.05 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 94 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.373 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.433 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,564,820 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -945 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.38 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 251,775 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 1,533 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 3,276 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 4 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 217 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 252,037 | 2026 |
Data sources
| Indicator | Source | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Reported penal code offenses by municipalityFukui Prefectural Police | 2025 | Counted where offenses occur; per 1,000 uses the 2025 census population |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | Official land prices (National Land Numerical Information L01)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism | 2026 | Residential sites only; simple average of sites |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2023 | Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2020 | To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | Survey of Medical Institutions (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | 2023 | Hospitals and clinics combined |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2024 | Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km² |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Taxable income per taxpayer |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Resident register population as of January 1, 2026 |
Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)
Published 2026-03-24 · Data updated 2026-10-08