Livability Report
FukushimaLivability Score
Fukushima·Pop. 265,537
Fukushima City is the prefectural capital in the north of Fukushima Prefecture, spread across the Fukushima Basin, surrounded by the Azuma range to the west and the Abukuma Highlands to the east. Under the basin's distinctive climate of hot summers and wide winter swings, a variety of fruit grows, including peaches, cherries, pears, grapes and apples, and orchards open to visitors and farm stands dot the Fruit Line in the west. It was a castle town that long prospered on sericulture and river shipping on the Abukuma. Three hot spring towns, Iizaka, Tsuchiyu and Takayu, lie within the city.
Published 2026-04-24 · Article updated 2026-10-27 · Data updated 2026-10-20
Where in Japan
Overall Score
55.0
53.7
49.5
52.5
44.9* 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
Safety55.0Cost53.7Convenience49.5Welfare52.5Economy44.9Basic Information
Population
265,537
Prefecture
Fukushima
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
A basin of orchards and hot springs
Yuki
What kind of terrain is Fukushima City built on?
Alex
What kind of fruit-growing town is it?
Yuki
What is the city known for among visitors?
Alex
How does the city's official page introduce the town?
Kai
Fukushima City lies in the north of the prefecture and centres on the Fukushima Basin, surrounded by the Azuma range to the west and the Abukuma Highlands to the east. The basin's distinctive climate, with hot summers and wide winter swings, grows fruit such as peaches, cherries and pears.
How to read the offence count
Alex
How safe should I consider the city to be?
Yuki
What does that figure not tell us?
Kai
The Fukushima Prefectural Police publish a table of confirmed 2025 figures that lists Fukushima City, and it records 1,256 reported penal code offences in Fukushima City, or 4.73 per 1,000 residents. The reported offence count is an average level among Japan's major municipalities, and a lower rate is the favourable direction. The prefecture as a whole recorded 8,674 offences, or 5.07 per 1,000. The safety score is 55.0.
Land prices, rent and relocation support
Alex
How much does housing cost here?
Yuki
Is there support for people considering a move here?
Kai
The 2026 land price survey puts average residential land at 51,395 yen per square metre, an average level among Japan's major municipalities. The 2023 Housing and Land Survey puts average rent at 46,240 yen a month, also an average level. Land prices average survey points and rent averages all rented housing, not individual locations. The cost score is 53.7.
A station monument and the road over the pass
Alex
Do I need a car for commuting and shopping?
Yuki
Is there anything to see around Fukushima Station?
Alex
What are the roads like for driving out of the prefecture?
Yuki
What about the old road toward Yamagata?
Kai
In the 2020 Census, 7.17% of commuters use rail or bus; public transport use is an average level among Japan's major municipalities. The 2021 Economic Census counts 2,221 retail establishments, or 8.36 per 1,000 residents, and 1,168 restaurants, or 4.40 per 1,000, both an average level among Japan's major municipalities. The convenience score is 49.5.
Medical facilities and schools
Alex
Are there enough hospitals and clinics?
Yuki
How many schools are there?
Alex
I worry about emergencies and children's medical bills.
Kai
The 2023 Survey of Medical Institutions counts 21 hospitals and 249 general clinics, together 10.17 facilities per 10,000 residents, higher than the median of Japan's major municipalities. Facility counts, divided by population, do not show departments or ease of appointments.
Income and the movement of people
Yuki
How much do working people earn?
Alex
Is the population growing or shrinking?
Kai
In the 2025 municipal tax survey, taxable income per taxpayer is 3,317,133 yen, an average level among Japan's major municipalities. It is not an outlying value. The economy score is 44.9.
The share of people who actually live here
Yuki
What does the residency rate measure?
Alex
How should I use it when choosing where to live?
Kai
The residency rate divides the Census population by the resident register population and is a supplementary indicator not used in the five axis scores. The 2025 Census population is 265,537 and the 2026 resident register population is 261,534, so the residency rate is 101.53%. The Census count slightly exceeds the register, and the two populations are about the same size.
Who this city suits
Families with children
There are 83 elementary, junior high and high schools, 0.30 per square kilometre of habitable land, and 10.17 hospitals and general clinics per 10,000 residents, and the city subsidises children's medical expenses. A point to watch is that school density stays at an average level. The density is a citywide figure, so it does not show the distance to school in each district. Walk the route from a candidate address to the school yourself.
Young singles
Average rent for rented housing is 46,240 yen a month and there are 4.40 restaurants and 8.36 retail establishments per 1,000 residents, all an average level among Japan's major municipalities. A point to watch is that the share of commuters using rail or bus stays at 7.17%. Either look for a room near the station or budget for car running costs alongside rent.
Seniors
With 21 hospitals and 249 general clinics, the number of medical facilities per 10,000 residents is higher than the median, and Fukushima Medical University Hospital has an emergency and critical care centre. A point to watch is that facility counts do not show how easy it is to be seen. Decide on transport for hospital visits and the distance to a family doctor first. It also helps to check the location of the emergency and critical care centre on a map.
Remote workers
A network of expressways including the Tohoku-Chuo Expressway has been built, and the city says Tokyo can be reached on a day trip. A point to watch is that the average residential land price is 51,395 yen per square metre and the average rent is 46,240 yen a month, both staying at an average level. Trial stays at fruit farms, a weaving workshop or inns run by newcomers are also offered. Use the travel subsidy for pre-move visits to check the internet connection and winter living.
Disaster risk and hazard maps
Fukushima City publishes four kinds of hazard map: flood, landslide, inland flooding and reservoir. The Fukushima City Flood Hazard Map assumes the maximum conceivable rainfall published by the national and prefectural governments and shows the extent and depth of flooding if the Abukuma, Arakawa, Matsukawa and other major rivers overflow, with divided maps by district. The landslide hazard map covers the landslide warning zones and special warning zones designated by the prefecture, which in June 2024 announced 1,707 newly identified sites in the city at risk of landslides, 172 for debris flows and 1,535 for steep slopes. The inland flooding hazard map is a simulation based on 120 millimetres of rain in one hour, and flooding from short, localised downpours has occurred repeatedly. There are also reservoir hazard maps for 38 priority disaster-prevention reservoirs. In the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake the city recorded a seismic intensity of 6-lower, with 17 deaths and damage to more than 10,000 homes and other buildings, and area-wide decontamination after the nuclear accident was completed by October 2018. Check down to your exact street address on the city's official maps and the Geospatial Information Authority's overlay hazard map.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.73 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 51,395 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 46,240 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 7.2 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 2,221 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 8.36 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 1,168 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 4.40 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 101.5 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 10.17 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 21 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.79 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 249 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 9.38 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 83 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.313 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.303 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,317,133 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -731 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.28 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 265,537 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 1,256 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 8,674 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 5 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 274 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 261,534 | 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 municipalityFukushima 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 |
Sources (20)
- Fukushima City: About Fukushima City
- Fukushima City: The Banseitairo Road
- Fukushima City: Recovery from the Earthquake and Nuclear Accident
- Fukushima City: Child Medical Expense Subsidy
- Fukushima City: Relocation Support
- Fukushima City: Flood Hazard Map
- Fukushima City: Landslide Hazard Map
- Fukushima City: Inland Flooding Hazard Map
- Fukushima City: Reservoir Hazard Map
- Fukushima Medical University Hospital
- Fukushima Prefectural Police: Reported and cleared penal code offences, 2025 (confirmed)
- 2025 Population Census, Basic Tabulation (e-Stat 0004065881)
- 2023 Housing and Land Survey (e-Stat 0004021452)
- 2020 Population Census, Means of Transport (e-Stat 0003454513)
- 2021 Economic Census for Business Activity (e-Stat 0004005684)
- Survey of Medical Institutions, System of Social and Demographic Statistics (e-Stat 0000020209)
- School Basic Survey and Habitable Area, System of Social and Demographic Statistics (e-Stat 0000020205)
- Report on Internal Migration (e-Stat 0003419945)
- Official Land Price Survey, National Land Numerical Information L01 (MLIT)
- Survey of Municipal Tax Assessment (MIC)
Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)
Published 2026-04-24 · Article updated 2026-10-27 · Data updated 2026-10-20