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Livability Report

KochiLivability Score

Kochi·Pop. 326,545

5-axis livability scores for Kochi, Kochi based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy.

Published: Apr 2, 2026

Overall Score

50.6
B
Safety52.9Cost54.1Convenience54.1Welfare49Economy42.8

* 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 Score Breakdown

SafetySafety52.9/100
CostCost54.1/100
ConvenienceConvenience54.1/100
WelfareWelfare49/100
EconomyEconomy42.8/100

Basic Information

Population

326,545

Prefecture

Kochi

Q&A with Kai

Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.

Safety

Alex

Alex

Kochi is Sakamoto Ryoma's hometown. How safe is it?

Yuki

Yuki

It's lively with the Yosakoi Festival. What about crime rates?

Kai

Kochi's crime rate is 4.77 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 52.8. As a prefectural capital of about 327,000, it maintains a relatively safe environment. Deep-rooted cultural traditions like the Sunday Market and Yosakoi Festival create strong community bonds that contribute to safety. The calm streetscape with tram lines running through is characteristic.

Kai

Cost of Living

Alex

Alex

How much does it cost to live in Kochi?

Yuki

Yuki

A cost score of 53.8 seems reasonable. Is it affordable for a regional capital?

Kai

Kochi's average land price is 94,734 yen per square meter, with a cost score of 53.8. This is affordable for a prefectural capital. Average rent is 45,132 yen. Per capita taxable income is about 3.28 million yen. Beyond the numbers, the low cost of living combined with abundant fresh seafood — famously katsuo-no-tataki — offers quality of life that statistics alone don't capture.

Kai

Convenience

Alex

Alex

How's shopping and transportation in Kochi?

Yuki

Yuki

The tram system is famous. What's the public transit usage rate?

Kai

Kochi's convenience score is 52.4. Public transit usage is 3.3%, though the tram system serves as the backbone of urban transport. There are 2,188 restaurants (6.70 per 1,000) and 2,854 retail stores (8.74 per 1,000) — very high commercial density per capita. The Obiyamachi shopping arcade and Hirome Market are thriving local commercial centers, and the Sunday street market culture is embedded in daily life.

Kai

Welfare

Alex

Alex

How's healthcare? I've heard Kochi has strong medical infrastructure.

Yuki

Yuki

Are there many hospitals?

Kai

Kochi's welfare score is 49.2. It has 61 hospitals (1.87 per 10,000) and 252 clinics (7.72 per 10,000), with a combined density of 9.59 per 10,000. The hospital density is notably high — Kochi Prefecture is nationally known for having one of the highest hospital bed counts. Schools total 66, at 0.20 per 1,000 residents.

Kai

Economy

Alex

Alex

How's Kochi's economy?

Yuki

Yuki

Is the population declining?

Kai

Kochi's economy score is 44.1, with per capita taxable income of about 3.28 million yen. Net migration is -0.52%, losing 1,710 residents annually. About half the prefecture's population concentrates in Kochi City, making it a primate city driven by commerce and services. Local commercial vitality — epitomized by Hirome Market — remains strong, and cultural assets like the Yosakoi Festival form an important tourism-based economic foundation.

Kai

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Detailed Data

IndicatorValue
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)94,734
avg_rent45,132
Clinics252
Clinics (per 10,000)7.72
Crime Rate (per 1,000)4.77
Hospitals61
Hospitals (per 10,000)1.87
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)9.59
net_migration-1,710
net_migration_rate-0.52
Total Population326,545
Public Transit Usage (%)3.3
restaurant_count2,188
restaurant_per_10006.7
retail_count2,854
retail_per_10008.74
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)66
Schools (per 1,000)0.2
taxable_income_per_capita3,280,722

Data: 2024