Livability Report
Matsumoto
Nagano·Pop. 241,145·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
Analyzing Matsumoto's (Nagano 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
241,145
Prefecture
Nagano
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 233 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 9.66 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 3.88 |
| Hospitals | 16 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.66 |
| Total Population | 241,145 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 4.5 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 58 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.24 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
What kind of city is Matsumoto? What's the overall livability score?
Yuki
It's famous for Matsumoto Castle. What do the data say about living there?
Kai
Matsumoto's overall score is 57.5 with a population of about 241,000. The standout feature is a perfect education score of 100.0 — ranked first among all 20 cities — and a safety score of 95.1. On the flip side, the transport score is 0.0 with a public transit usage rate of just 9.4%, making it a car-dependent city. Nestled at the foot of the Northern Alps, it excels in education and safety but requires a car for daily life.
Safety
Alex
How safe is Matsumoto? A score of 95.1 is really high.
Yuki
Smaller cities tend to feel safer — what's the actual crime rate?
Kai
Matsumoto's crime rate is 3.72 per 1,000 residents, earning a safety score of 95.1. This is among the best in our 20-city dataset. The smaller population and strong community bonds contribute to the excellent safety. Even the entertainment district around Matsumoto Station is relatively trouble-free, and walking at night is generally comfortable.
Cost of Living
Alex
How much does it cost to live in Matsumoto? Much cheaper than Tokyo?
Yuki
I'm considering relocating to a rural area — what's the rent like?
Kai
Land price data hasn't been collected yet, so the cost score is null. However, a typical 1LDK in Matsumoto runs about 45,000-60,000 yen per month — less than half of central Tokyo. Near Matsumoto Station, expect 50,000-60,000 yen, with suburban areas dropping below 40,000. Keep in mind that since it's a car-dependent city, you should budget an extra 20,000-30,000 yen monthly for vehicle costs (parking, gas, insurance).
Transport
Alex
A transport score of 0.0... does that mean there's basically no public transit?
Yuki
Is it impossible to live without a car? Give me the specifics.
Kai
Matsumoto's public transit usage rate is just 9.4%, resulting in a transport score of 0.0 — the lowest among all 20 cities. There are JR Shinonoi and Oito Lines plus Alpico Kotsu's Kamikochi Line and bus routes, but service frequency is limited. The vast majority of residents rely on private cars. The city is developing bicycle infrastructure, but winter snowfall makes cycling seasonal. Owning a car is essentially a must here.
Education
Alex
A perfect education score of 100.0! What makes it so outstanding?
Yuki
Is it the number of schools or the quality of education?
Kai
Matsumoto has 73 schools at a density of 0.30 per 1,000 residents — by far the highest in our 20-city dataset. For a population of 241,000, schools are generously distributed, ensuring children can walk to school. Nagano Prefecture is historically known as an 'education prefecture,' and Matsumoto carries that tradition. Shinshu University also has a campus here, adding an academic atmosphere unusual for a city this size.
Healthcare
Alex
What's healthcare like in Matsumoto? Fewer hospitals in smaller cities?
Yuki
The healthcare score of 34.7 is quite a drop from education's 100.
Kai
Matsumoto has 11 hospitals (0.46 per 10,000 residents) and 226 clinics (9.37 per 10,000). The healthcare score is 34.7, dragged down by the low hospital count. However, Shinshu University Hospital and Matsumoto City Hospital provide advanced medical care. The clinic density of 9.37 is reasonable nationally, so finding a family doctor for everyday needs shouldn't be an issue.