Livability Report
Sendai
Miyagi·Pop. 1,096,704·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
4-axis livability scores for Sendai based on Japanese government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
1,096,704
Prefecture
Miyagi
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 962 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.77 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 5.12 |
| Hospitals | 56 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.51 |
| Total Population | 1,096,704 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 25 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 200 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.18 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
Sendai is known as the 'City of Trees' — how does it look in the data?
Yuki
Overall 46.4 with education at 53.8 standing out. Does it live up to its 'Academic City' reputation?
Kai
Based on e-Stat data, Sendai scores 46.4 overall, placing mid-range in our 20-city comparison, but education at 53.8 is its defining strength. With 200 schools at 0.18 per 1,000 residents, density ranks in the upper tier. As the 'Academic City' centered on Tohoku University, this scholarly tradition shows clearly in the numbers. Safety is solid at 72.7 with a 5.12 crime rate per 1,000 — reasonable for a 1.1 million city. Healthcare at 22.0 is the weak point, with only 56 hospitals (0.51 per 10,000) being somewhat low for the population.
Safety
Alex
Safety at 72.7 with a 5.12 crime rate — how does that compare for Tohoku's capital?
Yuki
Is 5.12 per 1,000 considered safe for a city of 1.1 million?
Kai
A crime rate of 5.12 per 1,000 is a stable figure for a designated major city of 1.1 million — upper-middle range in our 20-city comparison, and significantly lower than Fukuoka's 6.52 or Osaka. Sendai's entertainment district concentrates around Kokubuncho, while residential areas in Aoba Ward and suburban Izumi and Taihaku wards are very peaceful. The iconic zelkova tree-lined avenues create a calm, green atmosphere that embodies the City of Trees character.
Cost of Living
Alex
Cost score is null. Is Sendai expensive for the Tohoku region?
Yuki
How does it compare to Tokyo or Sapporo?
Kai
Land price data hasn't been collected yet so the score is null, but as Tohoku's largest city, Sendai is relatively expensive within the region. A 1K in central Aoba Ward runs ¥50,000-60,000, while Wakabayashi and Miyagino wards start from around ¥40,000. That's 40-50% cheaper than Tokyo's 23 wards and roughly on par with Sapporo. For a 1.1 million city with ample commercial facilities and infrastructure, the cost-performance ratio is favorable. Living along the subway lets you go car-free, saving on parking costs too.
Transport
Alex
Transport at 37.2 is on the lower side despite having a subway.
Yuki
How should we interpret 25.0% public transit usage?
Kai
The 25.0% public transit rate is below average in our 20-city comparison. Sendai has two subway lines (Namboku and Tozai), JR, and buses, but with limited rail lines, suburban areas are car-dependent. However, Sendai Station offers Tohoku Shinkansen access to Tokyo in about 90 minutes — exceptional intercity connectivity as the gateway to the six Tohoku prefectures. The Tozai Line, opened in 2015, has improved eastern area accessibility. If you live along the subway, daily commuting needs are well covered.
Education
Alex
Education at 53.8 is Sendai's highest score. The 'Academic City' title holds up?
Yuki
Where does 0.18 per 1,000 rank among the 20 cities?
Kai
With 200 schools and 0.18 per 1,000 residents, Sendai ranks in the upper tier of our 20-city comparison. The 'Academic City' moniker is well-earned — Tohoku University leads a concentration of higher education institutions including Miyagi University of Education and Tohoku Gakuin University. The large student population supports robust educational facilities and services, giving families abundant schooling options. Tohoku University's research capabilities rank among Japan's best, giving the city educational brand value beyond what numbers alone show.
Healthcare
Alex
Healthcare at 22.0 is quite low. Only 56 hospitals for 1.1 million people?
Yuki
How does 0.51 per 10,000 compare to other cities?
Kai
At 56 hospitals and 0.51 per 10,000, Sendai is indeed on the lower end of our 20-city comparison — Sapporo has 1.01 and Kumamoto 1.40. However, the clinic picture is much brighter: 962 clinics at 8.77 per 10,000 is among the highest densities in our comparison. Finding a regular family doctor is no problem. The structure shows an imbalance between inpatient and outpatient care capacity. Tohoku University Hospital serves as a major advanced medical center, providing a solid safety net for serious conditions.