Livability Report
SapporoLivability Score
Hokkaido·Pop. 1,973,395
5-axis livability scores for Sapporo, Hokkaido based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published: Mar 7, 2026·Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Overall Score
55.5
45.4
48.8
43.9
58.8* 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
Safety55.5/100Cost45.4/100Convenience48.8/100Welfare43.9/100Economy58.8/100Basic Information
Population
1,973,395
Prefecture
Hokkaido
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
Safety at 76.3 is quite high, especially for a city of 1.97 million. That's impressive.
Yuki
How safe is a crime rate of 4.37 in concrete terms?
Kai
A crime rate of 4.37 per 1,000 is remarkably low for a major city of 1.97 million. The grid-pattern streets provide good visibility, and reduced outdoor activity during snowy winters is said to help suppress crime. The Susukino area in Chuo Ward is the entertainment district, but residential neighborhoods in Nishi, Toyohira, and Teine wards are very calm and family-friendly.
Cost of Living
Alex
Cost score of 82.1 is great! What are land prices like?
Yuki
Is it genuinely affordable for a major city?
Kai
The average land price is about 220,222 yen per square meter, earning a cost score of 82.1. For a city of 1.97 million, that's quite affordable. Even Chuo Ward has reasonably priced residential land, while Kita, Higashi, and Shiroishi wards are even more budget-friendly. One caveat: winter heating costs add 10,000 to 20,000 yen per month, so utility bills are higher than in mainland Japan.
Convenience
Alex
Transport at 46.6 is mid-range, but Sapporo has a subway — shouldn't it be higher?
Yuki
Is 32.6% public transit usage considered high?
Kai
Public transit usage is 32.6%, giving a transport score of 46.6. Sapporo has three subway lines (Namboku, Tozai, Toho), a streetcar, JR, and a bus network — central area mobility is excellent. But the city covers a vast area, and suburban residents rely heavily on cars, pulling down the overall rate. In winter, buses can face snow delays, but the subway runs reliably regardless of weather. Living along a subway line is the key to stable commuting.
Welfare
Alex
Education at 44.0 is decent. There are 307 schools — that's a lot.
Yuki
Is the 0.16 per 1,000 density affecting the score?
Kai
The 307 schools are adequate in absolute terms, but at 0.16 per 1,000 for 1.97 million residents, the density is modest. That said, Sapporo is home to Hokkaido University and numerous colleges, functioning as a university city. The spacious school grounds and facilities that Hokkaido's landscape allows offer educational environment benefits that scores alone don't fully capture.
Economy
Alex
Healthcare at 22.3 seems low despite having 199 hospitals. That's surprising.
Yuki
With 1.01 per 10,000, the hospital density looks decent — why is the score low?
Kai
There are 199 hospitals at 1.01 per 10,000 residents, with total medical facilities at 8.34 per 10,000. The 1,447 clinics (7.33 per 10,000) ensure routine medical visits are easily accessible. The hospital density itself is decent, but the healthcare score is calculated using composite metrics, resulting in 22.3. Advanced institutions like Hokkaido University Hospital serve as the medical hub for all of Hokkaido.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 220,222 |
| avg_rent | 49,576 |
| Clinics | 1,447 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 7.33 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.37 |
| Hospitals | 199 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 1.01 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.34 |
| net_migration | 10,830 |
| net_migration_rate | 0.55 |
| Total Population | 1,973,395 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 32.6 |
| restaurant_count | 8,393 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 4.25 |
| retail_count | 10,496 |
| retail_per_1000 | 5.32 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 307 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.16 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 3,409,882 |
Data: 2024