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Livability Report

NagaokaLivability Score

Niigata·Pop. 251,069

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

Published 2026-03-28 · Data updated 2026-10-08

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 KenNagaokaNagaoka
Map: based on Global Map Japan (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Overall Score

48.2
C
Safety59.8Cost54.1Convenience51.5Welfare42.4Economy42.0

* 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

SafetySafety59.8
CostCost54.1
ConvenienceConvenience51.5
WelfareWelfare42.4
EconomyEconomy42.0

Basic Information

Population

251,069

Prefecture

Niigata

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

Nagaoka is famous for its fireworks festival — how's the safety?

Yuki

Yuki

What are the specific crime rate figures?

Kai

Nagaoka's crime rate is 4.08 per 1,000 residents, earning a safety score of 57.1. For a city of about 267,000 people, this is a solid safety level. The community's education-focused culture, symbolized by the 'Kome Hyappyo' spirit of investing in education, contributes to strong social cohesion and public safety.

Cost of Living

Alex

Alex

How affordable is living in Nagaoka?

Yuki

Yuki

What are the specific land price and rent levels?

Kai

Nagaoka's average land price is 46,172 yen per square meter, with average rent at 49,115 yen, resulting in a cost score of 53.5. Land prices are very affordable, though rent at about 49,000 yen is slightly higher. Given the Joetsu Shinkansen reaches Tokyo in about 80-100 minutes, the housing cost represents good value. As a center of Niigata's rice country, excellent local cuisine enhances everyday living satisfaction.

Convenience

Alex

Alex

Nagaoka gets heavy snow — how convenient is daily life?

Yuki

Yuki

Are public transit and shopping facilities adequate?

Kai

Nagaoka's convenience score is 47.4. Public transit usage is 5.2%, with most residents relying on cars. However, extensive snow-melting pipe systems keep roads manageable in winter. Retail density is 8.16 per 1,000 residents. As a transportation hub where the Joetsu Shinkansen meets the Kanetsu and Hokuriku expressways, regional access is excellent. The Aore Nagaoka development has revitalized the city center.

Welfare

Alex

Alex

How are healthcare and education in Nagaoka?

Yuki

Yuki

What are the specific facility numbers?

Kai

Nagaoka has 11 hospitals and 190 clinics, with a combined medical facility density of 7.53 per 10,000 residents. The welfare score is 46.7. There are 84 schools at 0.31 per 1,000 residents — a generous distribution of educational facilities. Nagaoka University of Technology and other institutions reflect the city's deep-rooted education-focused culture.

Economy

Alex

Alex

Nagaoka has a strong manufacturing sector. How does the economy look overall?

Yuki

Yuki

What about population trends and income levels?

Kai

Nagaoka's economy score is 43.8. Taxable income per capita is about 3.02 million yen, with a net migration rate of -0.31% — an annual net loss of 835 people. Precision machinery and machine tool manufacturing, developed from the region's natural gas production heritage, form the economic backbone. Rice cracker manufacturers and the nishikigoi (koi fish) industry add to a diverse economic base.

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Detailed Data

IndicatorValueYear
Crime Rate (per 1,000)4.192025
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)37,6642026
Avg. Rent (¥)50,1432023
Public Transit Usage (%)5.22020
Retail Establishments2,1782021
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)8.682021
Restaurant Establishments1,1422021
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)4.552021
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)99.52025
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)7.692023
Hospitals112023
Hospitals (per 10,000)0.442023
Clinics1822023
Clinics (per 10,000)7.252023
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)952024
Schools (per 1,000)0.3782024
Schools (per habitable km²)0.2092024
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)3,165,7532025
Net Migration-8252025
Net Migration Rate (%)-0.332025
Total Population251,0692025
crime_count1,0522025
crime_count_pref9,7072025
crime_rate_pref_per_100052025
habitable_area_km24542024
resident_registry_population252,2652026

Data sources

IndicatorSourceYearNotes
Total Population2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Crime Rate (per 1,000)Reported penal code offenses by municipalityNiigata 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 2026-03-28 · Data updated 2026-10-08