Livability Report
Kumamoto
Kumamoto·Pop. 738,865·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
Analyzing Kumamoto (Kumamoto Prefecture) livability across safety, transport, education, and healthcare. Objective scores based on government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
738,865
Prefecture
Kumamoto
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 654 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.85 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 3.61 |
| Hospitals | 91 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 1.23 |
| Total Population | 738,865 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 8.2 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 145 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.2 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
What kind of city is Kumamoto within Kyushu? Can you show me the livability data?
Yuki
It's a designated city with about 740,000 people. How does the overall score look?
Kai
Kumamoto has a population of approximately 738,865 with an overall score of 64.8, ranking high among the 20 cities. Its standout feature is a perfect safety score of 100.0 (1st place) — the crime rate of 3.52 per 1,000 is the lowest across all compared cities. Healthcare scores 83.1 and education 69.2, both strong, while transport is low at 6.7. This profile of high safety, healthcare, and education with low transport is typical of regional core cities. All scores are based on relative comparison among 20 cities.
Safety
Alex
A safety score of 100 is a perfect mark! Just how safe is it?
Yuki
A crime rate of 3.52 being the lowest among 20 cities is really impressive. Tell us more.
Kai
Kumamoto's crime rate is 3.52 per 1,000 residents, the lowest among all 20 cities compared. The perfect safety score of 100.0 reflects this result — it is literally the safest city in the comparison group. There is a clear gap even compared to the second-ranked city, and the calm living environment characteristic of regional cities is clearly reflected in the numbers.
Cost of Living
Alex
Being a regional city, living costs must be low. Is there any data?
Yuki
How much difference is there compared to Tokyo or Osaka?
Kai
Land price data has not yet been collected, so the cost score is currently null. As a general guide, studio apartments near Kumamoto Station run about 35,000-50,000 yen/month, while the central Torichosuji area ranges from 40,000-60,000 yen/month. This is less than half the price of Tokyo's 23 wards and 20-30% cheaper than Fukuoka. The low cost of living is a major advantage among regional designated cities. Official scores will be calculated once published land price data is incorporated.
Transport
Alex
The transport score of 6.7 is quite low. What is the actual transportation situation?
Yuki
A low public transit usage rate means it's a car-dependent city?
Kai
Kumamoto's public transit usage rate is 11.8%, with a transport score of 6.7, placing it in the lower tier among the 20 cities. While the city has the Kumamoto City Tram (streetcar) and bus routes, private cars are the primary mode of daily transportation. That said, the tram is convenient for getting around the city center, and the Shinkansen connects Kumamoto Station to Hakata in about 40 minutes. The car-dependent lifestyle is an important consideration for anyone thinking about relocating.
Education
Alex
An education score of 69.2 is quite good. How well-equipped are the schools?
Yuki
What is the school density per capita?
Kai
Kumamoto has 166 schools at a density of 0.19 per 1,000 residents. The education score of 69.2 ranks in the upper tier among the 20 cities. With 166 schools for a population of 740,000, the density is high, meaning relatively short commuting distances. Higher education institutions including Kumamoto University are also well-established, providing a strong educational environment.
Healthcare
Alex
The healthcare score of 83.1 is also high. Are there many hospitals?
Yuki
I'd like to know the numbers for both hospitals and clinics.
Kai
Kumamoto has 87 hospitals (1.18 per 10,000 residents) and 736 clinics (9.96 per 10,000). The healthcare score of 83.1 ranks high among the 20 cities, with the hospital density of 1.18 per 10,000 being particularly strong. Advanced medical facilities including Kumamoto University Hospital and Kumamoto Red Cross Hospital provide comprehensive care, making healthcare access exceptionally good for a regional city. Kumamoto also serves as a medical hub for the broader Kyushu region.