Livability Report
Kagoshima
Kagoshima·Pop. 593,128·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
4-axis livability scores for Kagoshima based on Japanese government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
593,128
Prefecture
Kagoshima
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 536 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 9.04 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.34 |
| Hospitals | 85 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 1.43 |
| Total Population | 593,128 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 12.1 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 127 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.21 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
Kagoshima is famous for the Sakurajima volcano, but what does the livability data look like?
Yuki
An overall score of 69.4 is quite high. What are the main strengths?
Kai
Kagoshima's overall score of 69.4 ranks among the top in our 20-city comparison. Its standout feature is a perfect healthcare score of 100.0 — the highest of all cities. Safety is also excellent at 86.8, and education scores a strong 76.9. The main weakness is transport at 13.8. With a population of about 593,000, it's a warm-climate regional hub in southern Kyushu overlooking Sakurajima across Kinko Bay.
Safety
Alex
A safety score of 86.8 is impressive. What's the actual crime rate?
Yuki
Is it generally safer in regional cities compared to major metros?
Kai
Kagoshima's crime rate is 4.34 per 1,000 residents, one of the lowest among our 20 cities. The safety score of 86.8 is second only to Kanazawa (87.4). Compared to large metros like Osaka (3.45) or Fukuoka (6.52), the data reflects the calmer living environment typical of a regional hub city. Strong community ties and neighborhood awareness likely contribute to this excellent safety record.
Cost of Living
Alex
The cost score is null. I'd expect Kagoshima to be fairly affordable?
Yuki
How does it compare to other cities in Kyushu?
Kai
The cost score is currently null because land price data collection is incomplete. As a general guide, a studio apartment in central Kagoshima runs about 35,000-50,000 yen per month, and a family-sized 2LDK is around 55,000-80,000 yen. That's roughly 20-30% less than Fukuoka. The Tenmonkan area and around Kagoshima-Chuo Station are popular residential zones. Nationally speaking, Kagoshima offers very affordable rent, and its warm climate also helps keep winter heating costs lower.
Transport
Alex
The transport score of 13.8 is quite low. Is it mainly a car-dependent city?
Yuki
Kagoshima has a streetcar system, right? Can you get by on public transit alone?
Kai
Kagoshima's public transit usage rate is 12.1%, among the lowest in our 20-city comparison, which explains the transport score of 13.8. The city has a streetcar (tram) network and municipal buses, but suburban areas largely require a car. On the plus side, Kagoshima-Chuo Station is the southern terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen, reaching Hakata in about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you live in the central area, the streetcar network is quite sufficient for daily life.
Education
Alex
An education score of 76.9 is quite strong. Are there more schools per capita?
Yuki
That makes sense if the population is moderate but school numbers are high.
Kai
Kagoshima has 127 schools, or 0.21 per 1,000 residents. For a city of about 593,000, this school density is among the highest in our comparison. The education score of 76.9 reflects this favorable per-capita ratio. The city is also home to Kagoshima University and other higher education institutions. Kagoshima Prefecture has a strong educational tradition, which shows in these numbers. Note that this score measures school density relative to population, not educational quality directly.
Healthcare
Alex
A perfect healthcare score of 100.0 — that's amazing! Why is it so high?
Yuki
Being number one out of 20 cities means the hospital numbers must be exceptional.
Kai
Kagoshima has 85 hospitals (1.43 per 10,000 residents) and 536 clinics (9.04 per 10,000). The hospital density of 1.43 per 10,000 is the highest among all 20 cities. This reflects Kagoshima's role as the medical hub for southern Kyushu. Kagoshima University Hospital and other advanced medical facilities are well established, and the city also serves as a base for remote island healthcare. This excellent medical access is a major reassurance for elderly residents and families with young children.