Livability Report
SaitamaLivability Score
Saitama·Pop. 1,324,025
5-axis livability scores for Saitama, Saitama based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published: Mar 7, 2026·Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Overall Score
40
29.2
46.8
41.9
68.2* 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
Safety40/100Cost29.2/100Convenience46.8/100Welfare41.9/100Economy68.2/100Basic Information
Population
1,324,025
Prefecture
Saitama
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
The safety score of 52.3 seems middling. Is it actually that concerning?
Yuki
What does the actual crime rate data look like?
Kai
The crime rate is 6.77 per 1,000 residents. As a city of 1.32 million with entertainment districts like the Omiya Station area, petty crime contributes to the higher figure. However, violent crime isn't prevalent — residential areas like Urawa and Midori wards are comparatively peaceful. The perceived safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so choosing the right area is key when settling here.
Cost of Living
Alex
Cost score of 67.4 is pretty solid. What's the land price situation?
Yuki
Is it considered affordable within the greater Tokyo area?
Kai
The average land price is about 359,251 yen per square meter, earning a cost score of 67.4. Compared to central Tokyo, land prices are lower, meaning you can secure a larger living space on the same budget. The Omiya Station area has well-developed commercial facilities for daily shopping, and considering the excellent Tokyo access, the city offers strong cost-performance as a commuter base.
Convenience
Alex
Transport score of 60.9 is decent. Is Omiya Station the star here?
Yuki
Can you commute to Tokyo daily without too much stress?
Kai
Public transit usage is 42.6%, giving a transport score of 60.9. Omiya Station is a major terminal where multiple JR and private railway lines converge, and the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku shinkansen all stop here. Tokyo Station is about 25 minutes away, Shinjuku about 30. The Shonan-Shinjuku Line also connects directly to Yokohama. Rush hour congestion is unavoidable, but having so many route options is a significant advantage.
Welfare
Alex
Education score of 32.0 is a bit low — not enough schools?
Yuki
Urawa is supposed to be an academic district — why is the score modest?
Kai
There are 175 schools, translating to 0.13 per 1,000 residents in terms of density. The large population of 1.32 million means school numbers haven't fully kept pace. That said, the Urawa area is renowned as an academic district with prestigious schools like Urawa High School, and educational quality is genuinely high. The density metric doesn't capture everything, but it does pull the score down.
Economy
Alex
Healthcare at 20.3 is quite low. Is that a real concern?
Yuki
With 1.32 million people, are there really not enough hospitals?
Kai
There are 39 hospitals at 0.29 per 10,000 residents, with total medical facilities at 8.05 per 10,000. The 1,027 clinics (7.76 per 10,000) mean finding a regular family doctor isn't difficult, but inpatient acute care capacity is stretched thin. The city's proximity to Tokyo's medical infrastructure effectively supplements local capacity, broadening the healthcare options available to residents.
📊 Cities with Similar Scores
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 359,251 |
| avg_rent | 65,359 |
| Clinics | 1,027 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 7.76 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 6.77 |
| Hospitals | 39 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.29 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.05 |
| net_migration | 7,159 |
| net_migration_rate | 0.54 |
| Total Population | 1,324,025 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 42.6 |
| restaurant_count | 3,876 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 2.93 |
| retail_count | 6,257 |
| retail_per_1000 | 4.73 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 175 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.13 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 4,230,760 |
Data: 2024