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Livability Report

KyotoLivability Score

Kyoto·Pop. 1,430,062

5-axis livability scores for Kyoto, Kyoto 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 KenKyotoKyoto
Map: based on Global Map Japan (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Overall Score

56.6
S
Safety47.9Cost34.8Convenience61.3Welfare66.7Economy57.2

* 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

SafetySafety47.9
CostCost34.8
ConvenienceConvenience61.3
WelfareWelfare66.7
EconomyEconomy57.2

Basic Information

Population

1,430,062

Prefecture

Kyoto

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

How safe is Kyoto? I'd imagine more tourists means more crime.

Yuki

Yuki

A safety score of 73.1 is pretty good. What's the actual crime rate?

Kai

Kyoto's crime rate is 4.69 per 1,000 residents, giving it a safety score of 73.1. Despite the large tourist population, the numbers remain relatively calm. The Shijo-Kawaramachi area and Kyoto Station get busy and require awareness, but residential neighborhoods in Kita-ku, Sakyo-ku, and Yamashina-ku are quieter and popular with families.

Cost of Living

Alex

Alex

How much does it cost to live in Kyoto? Being a tourist city, land prices must be high.

Yuki

Yuki

The cost score of 48.4 seems a bit low. What are the actual land price figures?

Kai

Kyoto's average land price is 539,941 yen per square meter, earning a cost score of 48.4. The preservation of historic cityscapes and tourism demand contribute to the somewhat elevated land prices. Central Nakagyo-ku and Shimogyo-ku are particularly expensive, while suburban areas like Fushimi-ku and Nishikyo-ku offer lower price ranges. Choosing the right neighborhood significantly impacts living costs in this city.

Convenience

Alex

Alex

Is public transit in Kyoto convenient? I hear the buses get really crowded.

Yuki

Yuki

How about the transport score of 45.6? Tell us about the train lines too.

Kai

Kyoto's public transit usage rate is 31.9%, with a transport score of 45.6. The subway has two lines — Karasuma and Tozai — plus JR, Hankyu, Keihan, and Kintetsu railways serve the city. Limited subway coverage means heavy reliance on city buses, which get crowded during tourist seasons, requiring some planning for commuters. Cycling is also popular given the flat city center.

Welfare

Alex

Alex

Kyoto has tons of universities, but what about K-12 schools?

Yuki

Yuki

An education score of 48.0 seems low for a city known for academia.

Kai

Kyoto has 255 schools at a density of 0.17 per 1,000 residents, giving an education score of 48.0. With numerous universities and colleges, higher education is outstanding, but this score measures K-12 school density, so the large population of 1.46 million brings the ratio down. Historically, Kyoto is known for its strong emphasis on education, and the quality of schooling is highly regarded.

Economy

Alex

Alex

What's the healthcare situation in Kyoto? Are there many large hospitals?

Yuki

Yuki

The healthcare score is 44.8. What are the actual facility numbers?

Kai

Kyoto has 95 hospitals (0.65 per 10,000 residents) and 1,621 clinics (11.07 per 10,000), totaling 11.72 medical facilities per 10,000 people. While the healthcare score is 44.8, the clinic density of 11.07 is very strong. With Kyoto University Hospital and other advanced medical institutions, healthcare access — from everyday family doctors to specialist treatment — is quite comprehensive.

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Detailed Data

IndicatorValueYear
Crime Rate (per 1,000)5.842025
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)247,6822026
Avg. Rent (¥)60,4662023
Public Transit Usage (%)31.92020
Retail Establishments12,2142021
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)8.542021
Restaurant Establishments9,0422021
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)6.322021
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)104.42025
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)12.012023
Hospitals952023
Hospitals (per 10,000)0.662023
Clinics1,6222023
Clinics (per 10,000)11.342023
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)3092024
Schools (per 1,000)0.2162024
Schools (per habitable km²)1.4152024
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)4,118,1162025
Net Migration-8102025
Net Migration Rate (%)-0.062025
Total Population1,430,0622025
crime_count8,3532025
crime_count_pref12,3982025
crime_rate_pref_per_100052025
habitable_area_km22182024
resident_registry_population1,369,7502026

Data sources

IndicatorSourceYearNotes
Total Population2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Crime Rate (per 1,000)Reported penal code offenses by municipalityKyoto 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