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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

Hokkai DoAomori KenIwate KenMiyagi KenAkita KenYamagata KenFukushima KenIbaraki KenTochigi KenGunma KenSaitama KenChiba KenTokyo ToKanagawa KenNiigata KenToyama KenIshikawa KenFukui KenYamanashi KenNagano KenGifu KenShizuoka KenAichi KenMie KenShiga KenKyoto FuOsaka FuHyogo KenNara KenWakayama KenTottori KenShimane KenOkayama KenHiroshima KenYamaguchi KenTokushima KenKagawa KenEhime KenKochi KenFukuoka KenSaga KenNagasaki KenKumamoto KenOita KenMiyazaki KenKagoshima KenOkinawa KenTsukubaTsukuba
Map: based on Global Map Japan (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Overall Score

51.7
A
Safety—Cost45.1Convenience43.5Welfare45.2Economy69.8
  • ※ 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

SafetySafetyNot scored
CostCost45.1
ConvenienceConvenience43.5
WelfareWelfare45.2
EconomyEconomy69.8

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

Alex

Tsukuba is known as a science city. How is the safety situation?

Yuki

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

Alex

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

Yuki

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

Alex

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

Yuki

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

Alex

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

Yuki

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

Alex

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

Yuki

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

IndicatorValueYear
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)77,2242026
Avg. Rent (¥)55,6592023
Public Transit Usage (%)9.12020
Retail Establishments1,5722021
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)5.852021
Restaurant Establishments7782021
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)2.892021
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)102.62025
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)8.112023
Hospitals122023
Hospitals (per 10,000)0.452023
Clinics2062023
Clinics (per 10,000)7.662023
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)542024
Schools (per 1,000)0.2012024
Schools (per habitable km²)0.2332024
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)4,516,6862025
Net Migration2,0462025
Net Migration Rate (%)0.762025
Total Population268,8322025
crime_count_pref19,2732025
crime_rate_pref_per_100072025
habitable_area_km22322024
resident_registry_population262,0662026
  • ※ Safety is not scored because crime rate data is unavailable

Data sources

IndicatorSourceYearNotes
Total Population2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)Official land prices (National Land Numerical Information L01)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism2026Residential sites only; simple average of sites
Avg. Rent (¥)2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan2023Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028
Public Transit Usage (%)2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan2020To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI2021Next survey in 2026
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI2021Next 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 Welfare2023Hospitals and clinics combined
Schools (per habitable km²)School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan2024Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km²
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications2025Taxable income per taxpayer
Net Migration Rate (%)Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications2025Resident register population as of January 1, 2026

Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)

Published 2026-04-25 · Data updated 2026-10-20