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Livability Report

UtsunomiyaLivability Score

Tochigi·Pop. 511,237

5-axis livability scores for Utsunomiya, Tochigi based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy.

Published 2026-03-25 · Data updated 2026-10-08

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 KenUtsunomiyaUtsunomiya
Map: based on Global Map Japan (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Overall Score

50.3
B
Safety45.0Cost49.2Convenience48.8Welfare49.8Economy55.5

* 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

SafetySafety45.0
CostCost49.2
ConvenienceConvenience48.8
WelfareWelfare49.8
EconomyEconomy55.5

Basic Information

Population

511,237

Prefecture

Tochigi

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

Utsunomiya is famous for gyoza, but how is the safety situation?

Yuki

Yuki

As the largest city in North Kanto, what's the crime rate like?

Kai

Utsunomiya's crime rate is 6.29 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 43.1. As the largest city in North Kanto with about 519,000 people, it has concentrated urban functions including commercial districts. Known as the 'Thunder Capital,' the city features unique landscapes like Oya stone quarry sites, and residential areas maintain a calm atmosphere. The opening of the LRT light rail is advancing compact city development, improving overall urban visibility.

Cost of Living

Alex

Alex

How is the cost of living in Utsunomiya? Is it expensive being in the Tokyo commuter belt?

Yuki

Yuki

What are the land price and rent levels?

Kai

Utsunomiya's average land price is 85,543 yen per square meter, with average rent at 50,448 yen. The cost score is 51.5, a standard level. Being directly connected to Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen at these price levels represents good cost-performance for commuters. Combined with the rich food culture led by its famous gyoza, residents can enjoy an abundant culinary scene while keeping daily living costs reasonable.

Convenience

Alex

Alex

I heard the new light rail has improved transportation. How is it in practice?

Yuki

Yuki

What about public transit usage rates and commercial facilities?

Kai

Utsunomiya's public transit usage rate is 5.9%, with a convenience score of 46.0. Japan's first entirely new-build LRT system, the 'Light Line,' has opened, significantly improving intra-city transportation. The Tohoku Shinkansen and Utsunomiya Line provide direct connections to central Tokyo. Retail density is 6.91 stores per 1,000 residents with restaurants at 4.30 per 1,000. As a technopolis, advanced compact city development continues to progress.

Welfare

Alex

Alex

How are healthcare and education in Utsunomiya?

Yuki

Yuki

For a city of 519,000, are welfare facilities adequate?

Kai

Utsunomiya has 33 hospitals (0.64 per 10,000 residents) and 431 clinics (8.31 per 10,000), with a combined medical facility density of 8.94 per 10,000. The welfare score is 47.5. There are 102 schools at 0.20 per 1,000 residents. As North Kanto's largest city, it offers a full range of medical institutions from general hospitals to specialized clinics. Smart city initiatives are also advancing the digitalization of welfare services.

Economy

Alex

Alex

How is Utsunomiya's economic strength? It also has an industrial image.

Yuki

Yuki

What about income levels and population trends?

Kai

Utsunomiya's economy score is 54.6. Taxable income per capita is approximately 3.72 million yen, and the net migration rate is +0.05%, maintaining near equilibrium. Well-developed inland industrial parks and the Utsunomiya Technopolis concept create a hub for industry-academia-residential collaboration. Development along the new LRT line is expected to bring further economic vitality, and the city continues to grow as a place where manufacturing and urban living harmonize in a climate averaging 14.3 degrees Celsius.

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Detailed Data

IndicatorValueYear
Crime Rate (per 1,000)6.472025
Avg. Land Price (¥/m²)65,9342026
Avg. Rent (¥)53,2802023
Public Transit Usage (%)5.92020
Retail Establishments3,5832021
Retail Establishments (per 1,000)7.012021
Restaurant Establishments2,2302021
Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000)4.362021
Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register)99.62025
Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics)9.192023
Hospitals322023
Hospitals (per 10,000)0.632023
Clinics4382023
Clinics (per 10,000)8.572023
Schools (elementary + junior high + high)1182024
Schools (per 1,000)0.2312024
Schools (per habitable km²)0.3512024
Taxable Income per Capita (¥)3,921,1542025
Net Migration5052025
Net Migration Rate (%)0.102025
Total Population511,2372025
crime_count3,3082025
crime_count_pref12,7802025
crime_rate_pref_per_100072025
habitable_area_km23372024
resident_registry_population513,3782026

Data sources

IndicatorSourceYearNotes
Total Population2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan2025
Crime Rate (per 1,000)Reported penal code offenses by municipalityTochigi Prefectural Police2025Counted where offenses occur; per 1,000 uses the 2025 census population
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 2026-03-25 · Data updated 2026-10-08