Livability Report
Niigata
Niigata·Pop. 789,275·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
Analyzing Niigata City (Niigata Prefecture) livability across 4 dimensions: safety, transport, education, and healthcare. Objective scores based on Japanese government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
789,275
Prefecture
Niigata
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 665 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.43 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.08 |
| Hospitals | 42 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.53 |
| Total Population | 789,275 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 10.5 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 169 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.21 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
What's Niigata like as a place to live? I know it's a major city on the Sea of Japan side.
Yuki
It's famous for rice and sake, right? But what about the snowy winters — how does the data look?
Kai
Niigata City has a population of approximately 789,000 and is a designated major city with an overall livability score of 50.8. Its greatest strength is a safety score of 91.5, with a crime rate of just 3.62 per 1,000 residents — among the best in Japan's top 20 cities. As the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast, it offers a rich food culture rooted in rice and sake production. However, public transit usage at 12.6% and a transport score of 10.9 remain areas for improvement.
Safety
Alex
A safety score of 91.5 is really high! How safe is it exactly?
Yuki
That's an impressive number. How does it compare to other cities?
Kai
Niigata's crime rate is 3.62 per 1,000 residents, earning a safety score of 91.5 out of 100 among 20 major cities. This is exceptionally low — for comparison, Osaka has 9.15 per 1,000 (score 0.0) and Nagoya has 7.07. Niigata benefits from strong local community ties and a relatively compact entertainment district, contributing to both statistical and perceived safety.
Cost of Living
Alex
What about living costs? Is it much cheaper than Tokyo?
Yuki
I'm curious about rent and general prices.
Kai
The cost score is currently null as land price data has not yet been collected. However, typical rents in Niigata's Chuo Ward run around 40,000-50,000 yen per month for a studio and 60,000-80,000 yen for a 2LDK — often less than half of Tokyo's 23 wards. Fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and locally produced rice are available at reasonable prices, offering additional savings on food expenses. We will provide an accurate cost score once land price data is incorporated.
Transport
Alex
The transport score of 10.9 is quite low — do you really need a car?
Yuki
Can you get by with just trains and buses?
Kai
Niigata's public transit usage rate is 12.6%, resulting in a transport score of 10.9 — among the lower scores in our 20-city comparison. JR lines (Shin'etsu, Hakushin, Echigo) run through Niigata Station, but daily commuting largely depends on buses or private cars. A BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system has been introduced to improve mobility, but having a car is significantly more convenient. On the positive side, car-oriented living means ample parking and much lower parking costs compared to Tokyo.
Education
Alex
How's the education environment? Is it good for families with children?
Yuki
Tell us about the number of schools and education score.
Kai
Niigata's education score is 76.9, ranking in the upper tier among 20 major cities. The city has 182 schools, or 0.19 per 1,000 residents, exceeding the national average. Higher education institutions including Niigata University are well-established. Combined with its excellent safety score of 91.5, Niigata offers strong overall appeal for child-rearing. The city also provides abundant outdoor spaces along the Shinano River and coastal recreational facilities for children.
Healthcare
Alex
The healthcare score of 23.7 seems low — are there not enough hospitals?
Yuki
Would you struggle to get care in an emergency?
Kai
Niigata's healthcare score is 23.7, with 51 hospitals (0.65 per 10,000 residents) and 575 clinics (7.29 per 10,000). The relatively low score is mainly due to the hospital-to-population ratio being below average among major cities. However, key facilities like Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital and Niigata City General Hospital provide advanced medical care. The emergency medical system is well-organized, so accessing routine medical care should not be a significant concern.