Livability Report
OkayamaLivability Score
Okayama·Pop. 724,691
5-axis livability scores for Okayama, Okayama based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published: Mar 7, 2026·Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Overall Score
51.4
50.4
47.8
50.4
48.8* 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 Score Breakdown
Safety51.4/100Cost50.4/100Convenience47.8/100Welfare50.4/100Economy48.8/100Basic Information
Population
724,691
Prefecture
Okayama
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
A safety score of 70.0 seems pretty good. What are the specific numbers?
Yuki
What's the crime rate like? Is it a safe place to live?
Kai
Okayama's crime rate is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, yielding a safety score of 70.0. This is a relatively safe level. Outside the entertainment district near Okayama Station, residential areas are calm, and the perceived sense of safety in daily life is quite good. Many people relocate here attracted by the warm climate, and the safety environment provides additional peace of mind.
Cost of Living
Alex
How much does it cost to live in Okayama? It should be affordable as a regional city.
Yuki
A cost score of 92.8 is really high! What are the land prices?
Kai
Okayama's average land price is 118,015 yen per square meter, giving an excellent cost score of 92.8. The affordable land prices make home ownership much more accessible. A studio in Kita Ward typically rents for about 35,000-50,000 yen per month. As a major fruit-producing region famous for white peaches and Muscat grapes, locally sourced produce is available at reasonable prices, offering additional savings on food costs.
Convenience
Alex
A transport score of 10.6 is quite low. Is that a concern?
Yuki
Is it really tough to get around without a car? What's the transit situation?
Kai
Okayama's public transit usage rate is 7.4%, giving a transport score of 10.6. The city has JR Sanyo, Ako, and Kibi lines plus the Okayama Electric Tramway streetcar, but coverage is limited. Private cars are the primary mode of daily transportation. However, as a Sanyo Shinkansen stop, regional access is excellent. Properties with parking are abundant and monthly parking costs are just 3,000-5,000 yen.
Welfare
Alex
What level does an education score of 56.0 represent? Are schools well-established?
Yuki
Tell us about the education environment for a city of 725,000.
Kai
Okayama has 135 schools at a density of 0.19 per 1,000 residents, with an education score of 56.0. Higher education institutions are well-represented, including Okayama University, Okayama University of Science, and Notre Dame Seishin University. The mild climate allows year-round outdoor activities, which is a notable advantage for child-rearing.
Economy
Alex
How's healthcare? A score of 34.7 seems a bit low.
Yuki
Tell us about the number of hospitals and clinics.
Kai
Okayama has 55 hospitals (0.76 per 10,000 residents) and 685 clinics (9.45 per 10,000), with total medical facilities at 10.21 per 10,000. The healthcare score is 34.7. Okayama University Hospital serves as the advanced medical hub for the Chugoku-Shikoku region, handling even serious cases. Okayama has historically been known as a 'medical city' with a deep pool of healthcare professionals, providing additional peace of mind.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 118,015 |
| avg_rent | 49,403 |
| Clinics | 685 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 9.45 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 5 |
| Hospitals | 55 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.76 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 10.21 |
| net_migration | -2,021 |
| net_migration_rate | -0.28 |
| Total Population | 724,691 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 7.4 |
| restaurant_count | 3,355 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 4.63 |
| retail_count | 5,406 |
| retail_per_1000 | 7.46 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 135 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.19 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 3,519,007 |
Data: 2024