Livability Report
OkayamaLivability Score
Okayama·Pop. 707,387
5-axis livability scores for Okayama, Okayama based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20
Where in Japan
Overall Score
41.7
48.1
49.4
52.5
48.9* 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
Safety41.7Cost48.1Convenience49.4Welfare52.5Economy48.9Basic Information
Population
707,387
Prefecture
Okayama
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
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 | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 7.01 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 66,604 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 52,249 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 7.4 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 5,406 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 7.64 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 3,355 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 4.74 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 102.1 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 9.63 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 56 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.79 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 625 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.84 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 161 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.228 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.365 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,609,795 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -1,804 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.26 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 707,387 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 4,959 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 10,267 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 6 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 441 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 692,769 | 2026 |
Data sources
| Indicator | Source | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Reported penal code offenses by municipalityOkayama Prefectural Police | 2025 | Counted 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 Tourism | 2026 | Residential sites only; simple average of sites |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2023 | Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2020 | To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next 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 Welfare | 2023 | Hospitals and clinics combined |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2024 | Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km² |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Taxable income per taxpayer |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Resident register population as of January 1, 2026 |
Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)
Published 2026-03-07 · Data updated 2026-10-20