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Livability Report

KobeLivability Score

Hyogo·Pop. 1,494,997

5-axis livability scores for Kobe, Hyogo based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.

Published 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20

Where in Japan

Hokkai DoAomori KenIwate KenMiyagi KenAkita KenYamagata KenFukushima KenIbaraki KenTochigi KenGunma KenSaitama KenChiba KenTokyo ToKanagawa KenNiigata KenToyama KenIshikawa KenFukui KenYamanashi KenNagano KenGifu KenShizuoka KenAichi KenMie KenShiga KenKyoto FuOsaka FuHyogo KenNara KenWakayama KenTottori KenShimane KenOkayama KenHiroshima KenYamaguchi KenTokushima KenKagawa KenEhime KenKochi KenFukuoka KenSaga KenNagasaki KenKumamoto KenOita KenMiyazaki KenKagoshima KenOkinawa KenKobeKobe
Map: based on Global Map Japan (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Overall Score

55.2
S
Safety33.8Cost38.2Convenience63.7Welfare64.0Economy57.2

* 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

SafetySafety33.8
CostCost38.2
ConvenienceConvenience63.7
WelfareWelfare64.0
EconomyEconomy57.2

Basic Information

Population

1,494,997

Prefecture

Hyogo

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

Alex

The safety score is 50.6. What do the actual crime numbers show?

Yuki

Yuki

I'd like to see the specific crime rate data. How does it break down?

Kai

Kobe's crime rate is 6.94 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 50.6. As a major designated city with busy entertainment and commercial districts, these areas contribute to the overall figure. There is a notable difference in perceived safety between the Sannomiya-Motomachi area and quieter residential neighborhoods like Higashinada and Nada wards, so location choice significantly affects one's experience.

Cost of Living

Alex

Alex

How much does it cost to live in Kobe? What does the data say?

Yuki

Yuki

A cost score of 77.7 is quite high. Give us the specifics.

Kai

Kobe's average land price is 262,268 yen per square meter, earning a cost score of 77.7. For a designated city with 1.5 million people, this represents a relatively affordable price level. Central areas near Sannomiya are pricier, while residential neighborhoods in Higashinada and Nada wards and suburban areas in Nishi-ku and Kita-ku offer more affordable options. Within the Keihanshin metropolitan area, Kobe is a cost-effective choice.

Convenience

Alex

Alex

A transport score of 65.6 is solid. What kind of transit network does Kobe have?

Yuki

Yuki

I'd like to know about commuting access to Osaka as well.

Kai

Kobe's public transit usage rate is 45.9%, earning a transport score of 65.6. Three major rail lines — JR Kobe Line, Hankyu Kobe Line, and Hanshin Main Line — provide access toward Osaka, and within the city, the Kobe Municipal Subway and Port Liner also operate. The 45.9% transit usage rate is a stable figure for a large city, and the location makes commuting to Osaka convenient.

Welfare

Alex

Alex

The education score of 52.0 is moderate. Are there enough schools?

Yuki

Yuki

What is the school density per capita?

Kai

Kobe has 270 schools at a density of 0.18 per 1,000 residents, giving an education score of 52.0. This represents a well-balanced school density for a major city. The 270 schools are distributed across the city's wards, and a variety of national and private institutions provide diverse educational options for families.

Economy

Alex

Alex

The healthcare score is 43.4. Kobe is known as a medical city too, isn't it?

Yuki

Yuki

Can you give us numbers for both hospitals and clinics?

Kai

Kobe has 110 hospitals (0.72 per 10,000 residents) and 1,645 clinics (10.79 per 10,000), totaling 11.51 medical facilities per 10,000 people. While the healthcare score is 43.4, the clinic density of 10.79 is very strong. Port Island hosts advanced biomedical research facilities, providing access to both everyday care and cutting-edge medical treatment.

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Detailed Data

IndicatorValueYear
Crime Rate (per 1,000)8.882025
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)172,3262026
Avg. Rent (¥)58,6622023
Public Transit Usage (%)45.92020
Retail Establishments10,6262021
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)7.112021
Restaurant Establishments8,5792021
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)5.742021
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)100.52025
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)11.722023
Hospitals1092023
Hospitals (per 10,000)0.732023
Clinics1,6432023
Clinics (per 10,000)10.992023
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)3262024
Schools (per 1,000)0.2182024
Schools (per habitable km²)0.9712024
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)4,074,9192025
Net Migration-4052025
Net Migration Rate (%)-0.032025
Total Population1,494,9972025
crime_count13,2742025
crime_count_pref39,8992025
crime_rate_pref_per_100082025
habitable_area_km23362024
resident_registry_population1,487,0902026

Data sources

IndicatorSourceYearNotes
Total Population2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Crime Rate (per 1,000)Reported penal code offenses by municipalityHyogo Prefectural Police2025Counted 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 Tourism2026Residential sites only; simple average of sites
Avg. Rent (¥)2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan2023Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028
Public Transit Usage (%)2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan2020To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI2021Next survey in 2026
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI2021Next 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 Welfare2023Hospitals and clinics combined
Schools (per habitable km²)School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan2024Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km²
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications2025Taxable income per taxpayer
Net Migration Rate (%)Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications2025Resident register population as of January 1, 2026

Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)

Published 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20