Livability Report
KanazawaLivability Score
Ishikawa·Pop. 453,605
5-axis livability scores for Kanazawa, Ishikawa based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20
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
453,605
Prefecture
Ishikawa
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
A safety score of 76.9 is impressive! How low is the crime rate?

Yuki
The Hokuriku region has a reputation for safety, and the data seems to confirm that.
Kai
Kanazawa's crime rate is 4.31 per 1,000 residents, giving a safety score of 76.9. This is a very low crime rate, indicating an extremely secure living environment. Ishikawa Prefecture as a whole tends to have low crime rates, influenced by strong community bonds and reduced outdoor activity during snowy winters. As a historic castle town, Kanazawa maintains a calm residential atmosphere that is reassuring for families with children.

Cost of Living

Alex
A cost score of 88.1 is very high. How affordable is the land price?

Yuki
Have property prices gone up since the Shinkansen opened?
Kai
Kanazawa's average land price is 162,918 yen per square meter. The cost score of 88.1 confirms it's a very affordable city. While the area around Kanazawa Station has gained popularity since the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened, overall housing costs remain quite reasonable. The Korinbo-Katamachi area and Musashi area are popular residential zones. Do note that heating costs tend to be higher during the snowy winter months in this region.

Convenience

Alex
The transport score of 12.7 is very low despite having Shinkansen access. Why?

Yuki
Is a car essential for getting around the city?
Kai
Kanazawa's public transit usage rate is 8.9%, resulting in a transport score of 12.7. While the Hokuriku Shinkansen provides excellent long-distance access to Tokyo in about 2.5 hours, local public transit relies mainly on buses with limited rail lines within the city. The Hokutetsu Bus network covers the area, but suburban residents depend heavily on cars. That said, the city center is compact enough that cycling is a viable option for many daily trips, and daily shopping and commuting within the core area are quite manageable.

Welfare

Alex
The education score is 56.0. How well-equipped are the schools?

Yuki
Kanazawa has a reputation as an academic and cultural city, doesn't it?
Kai
Kanazawa has 88 schools, or 0.19 per 1,000 residents. For a city of about 463,000, this is a favorable ratio, giving an education score of 56.0. The city is home to distinctive higher education institutions including Kanazawa University, Kanazawa College of Art, and Kanazawa Institute of Technology. Its cultural heritage as a castle town of the Kaga Domain fostered a tradition of valuing scholarship, making educational richness one of Kanazawa's defining characteristics.

Economy

Alex
The healthcare score is 33.5. How's the balance between hospitals and clinics?

Yuki
Is the medical infrastructure adequate for a city of 460,000?
Kai
Kanazawa has 43 hospitals (0.93 per 10,000 residents) and 421 clinics (9.09 per 10,000), with a combined medical facility density of 10.02 per 10,000. The high clinic density ensures good everyday medical access, and the hospital ratio of 0.93 is also solid. Kanazawa University Hospital serves as an advanced medical center, and the city functions as the healthcare hub for the Hokuriku region. While the healthcare score of 33.5 may seem modest, the actual medical environment is well balanced.

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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 5.50 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 92,823 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 48,606 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 8.9 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 3,985 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 8.79 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 2,859 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 6.30 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 102.6 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 10.19 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 43 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.95 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 419 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 9.24 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 107 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.236 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.557 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,994,120 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -167 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.04 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 453,605 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 2,494 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 5,376 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 5 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 192 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 441,947 | 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 municipalityIshikawa 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 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20