Livability Report
TsukubaLivability Score
Ibaraki·Pop. 268,832
5-axis livability scores for Tsukuba, Ibaraki based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy.
Published 2026-04-25 · Data updated 2026-10-20
Where in Japan
Overall Score
- ※ Safety is not scored because crime rate data is unavailable
* 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
Basic Information
Population
268,832
Prefecture
Ibaraki
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
Tsukuba is known as a science city. How is the safety situation?

Yuki
A crime rate of 7.0 seems somewhat high. Is there a reason behind it?
Kai
Tsukuba's crime rate is 7.0 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 38.6. As an academic city of about 242,000 people with many international researchers, the higher population mobility is partly reflected in the numbers. The planned layout of Tsukuba Science City offers good visibility, and with generous park space, most residents find the actual living environment quite peaceful.

Cost of Living

Alex
How is the cost of living in Tsukuba? Is it expensive being close to Tokyo?

Yuki
What are the specific land price and rent levels?
Kai
Tsukuba's average land price is 81,526 yen per square meter, with average rent at 53,081 yen. The cost score is 50.2, placing it in a moderate range. Areas along the Tsukuba Express line have seen rising land values due to ongoing development, but considering the quality of the planned residential environment, the cost-performance ratio is reasonable. Per-capita park area exceeds the national average, supporting a spacious lifestyle.

Convenience

Alex
The Tsukuba Express gets you to Akihabara in 45 minutes. How is daily convenience?

Yuki
What about shopping facilities and restaurant availability?
Kai
Tsukuba's public transit usage rate is 9.1%, with a convenience score of 44.0. The Tsukuba Express reaches Akihabara in as little as 45 minutes, and the Ken-O Expressway and Joban Expressway are also accessible. Retail density is 6.51 stores per 1,000 residents and restaurants at 3.22 per 1,000, with commercial facilities concentrated around Kenkyu-Gakuen Station. With a car, daily life is comfortable, and residents can take advantage of the well-developed infrastructure of a city hosting around 300 research institutions and companies.

Welfare

Alex
How is healthcare in Tsukuba? With so many research institutions, medical care must be good.

Yuki
Tsukuba University is there, but how about primary education?
Kai
Tsukuba has 12 hospitals (0.50 per 10,000 residents) and 202 clinics (8.36 per 10,000), with a combined medical facility density of 8.86 per 10,000. The welfare score is 47.1. There are 45 schools at 0.19 per 1,000 residents. The University of Tsukuba Hospital provides advanced medical care, and the city's research expertise extends into healthcare. Education quality is supported by the Tsukuba University-affiliated school system and the academically-minded community.

Economy

Alex
Tsukuba's economy score of 70.8 is remarkably high! What's driving it?

Yuki
Population growth continues, but are income levels also high?
Kai
Tsukuba's economy score is an impressive 70.8. Taxable income per capita is approximately 4.27 million yen, and the net migration rate is +1.07%, showing continued population inflow. Around 300 research institutions and companies are concentrated here, and the high proportion of researchers and professionals is reflected in the elevated income levels. Since the Tsukuba Express opened, development along the line has been vigorous with notable population growth. It's a unique economic zone where Mt. Tsukuba's natural beauty coexists with cutting-edge science and technology.

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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 77,224 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 55,659 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 9.1 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 1,572 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 5.85 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 778 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 2.89 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 102.6 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.11 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 12 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.45 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 206 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 7.66 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 54 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.201 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.233 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 4,516,686 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | 2,046 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | 0.76 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 268,832 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 19,273 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 7 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 232 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 262,066 | 2026 |
- ※ Safety is not scored because crime rate data is unavailable
Data sources
| Indicator | Source | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| 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 2026-04-25 · Data updated 2026-10-20