Livability Report
Hiroshima
Hiroshima·Pop. 1,200,754·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
4-axis livability scores for Hiroshima based on Japanese government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
1,200,754
Prefecture
Hiroshima
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 1,214 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 10.11 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 5.18 |
| Hospitals | 81 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.67 |
| Total Population | 1,200,754 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 21.4 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 226 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.19 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
Hiroshima is the main city of the Chugoku region. How does it score on livability?
Yuki
It's famous for its streetcar system. Is it actually a comfortable place to live?
Kai
Hiroshima's overall score is 49.9, placing it in the middle tier among our 20 cities. With a population of about 1.20 million, it's a major designated city. The safety score of 71.7 is high, and education at 61.5 also ranks well — with 226 schools (0.19 per 1,000 residents). The transport score of 30.7 reflects a 21.4% public transit usage rate, with the streetcar system as a distinctive feature. Healthcare scores 35.6, with 1,214 clinics (10.11 per 10,000) showing strong clinic density, though overall the score is mid-range.
Safety
Alex
A safety score of 71.7 is quite high among the 20 cities. What's the crime rate?
Yuki
It seems unusual for a city of 1.2 million to have such good public safety.
Kai
Hiroshima's crime rate is 5.18 per 1,000 residents, one of the safer levels among our 20 cities. A safety score of 71.7 is impressive for a designated city with over one million people. Compared to similarly sized Fukuoka (6.52) or Nagoya, Hiroshima keeps its crime rate lower. Hiroshima Prefecture has strong community ties, and residential areas are generally safe. While the Nagarekawa entertainment district requires some nighttime caution, overall the city is a secure place to live.
Cost of Living
Alex
The cost score is null. How do Hiroshima's rents compare to Tokyo or Osaka?
Yuki
As the central city of the Chugoku region, what level are living costs at?
Kai
The cost score is currently null because land price data collection is incomplete. As a general guide, a studio apartment in central Hiroshima runs about 40,000-55,000 yen per month, and a family-sized 2LDK is around 65,000-90,000 yen. These figures are considerably more affordable than Tokyo or Osaka, and housing costs are low even among cities of similar size. The Naka and Minami wards are central areas, while Asakita and Nishi wards are popular residential districts. Overall living costs are near the national average, offering strong value for the level of urban amenities available.
Transport
Alex
The transport score of 30.7 seems low for a city with such a famous streetcar system.
Yuki
Hiroshima has one of Japan's largest tram networks. Isn't that enough for daily use?
Kai
Hiroshima's public transit usage rate is 21.4%, and the transport score of 30.7 reflects this relative ranking among 20 cities. Hiroden (Hiroshima Electric Railway) operates one of Japan's largest streetcar networks, making central city travel convenient. However, suburban travel often requires a car, so the overall transit rate doesn't match cities with subway systems. JR Sanyo Line and the Astramline also serve the area, and Hiroshima Station functions as a solid transport hub. Shinkansen access to Osaka in about 90 minutes is another advantage.
Education
Alex
An education score of 61.5 ranks among the top. What makes it so high?
Yuki
That's impressive for a city of 1.2 million people.
Kai
Hiroshima has 226 schools, or 0.19 per 1,000 residents. For a city of about 1.20 million, this ratio places it in the upper tier among our 20 cities. The education score of 61.5 ties with Kanazawa for a strong ranking. Hiroshima University (mainly in Higashihiroshima but with city campuses), Hiroshima City University, and Hiroshima Institute of Technology provide solid higher education options. The city has a distinctive educational culture rooted in peace education and emphasizes international understanding. This score is a relative measure based on school-to-population ratios across 20 cities.
Healthcare
Alex
Healthcare scores 35.6, mid-range, but clinic density is high. What's the full picture?
Yuki
How adequate is the medical infrastructure for a city of 1.2 million?
Kai
Hiroshima has 81 hospitals (0.67 per 10,000 residents) and 1,214 clinics (10.11 per 10,000). The clinic density of 10.11 is among the highest in our comparison, ensuring excellent everyday medical access. However, the hospital density of 0.67 is slightly below average for the 20 cities, which brings the healthcare score to 35.6. Advanced medical facilities including Hiroshima University Hospital and Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital serve the area, making the city a medical hub for the Chugoku region. Finding a family doctor is easy in Hiroshima, which is a definite quality-of-life advantage.