Livability Report
Yokohama
Kanagawa·Pop. 3,777,491·Data: 2024·Updated Mar 2026
Analyzing Yokohama City (Kanagawa Prefecture) livability across safety, transport, education, and healthcare. Objective scores based on Japanese government open data (e-Stat).
Overall Score
/ 100
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Basic Information
Population
3,777,491
Prefecture
Kanagawa
Data Year
2024
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinics | 3,148 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.33 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.75 |
| Hospitals | 132 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.35 |
| Total Population | 3,777,491 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 58.4 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 525 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.14 |
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Overall
Alex
Yokohama is Japan's largest city by population at 3.78 million — how livable is it really?
Yuki
Overall 52.2, and transport at 97.8 is off the charts. What about the balance?
Kai
Looking at e-Stat data, Yokohama's transport score of 97.8 is near the top — absolutely dominant. Public transit usage of 58.4% is very high, with JR, Tokyu, Keikyu, Sotetsu, and city subway providing an extensive network. Safety is strong too at 79.4, with a 4.75 crime rate being impressive for a 3.78 million city. However, education at 23.1 and healthcare at 8.5 are low — the massive population outstrips infrastructure density in these areas.
Safety
Alex
Safety at 79.4 for 3.78 million people — isn't that remarkable?
Yuki
Is a 4.75 crime rate really low for Japan's largest municipality?
Kai
The crime rate of 4.75 per 1,000 is excellent for a metropolis of 3.78 million — significantly lower than Tokyo's 23 wards or Osaka. Northern residential areas like Aoba, Tsuzuki, and Kohoku wards are especially popular with families, featuring abundant parks and calm surroundings. Entertainment districts are concentrated around Yokohama and Kannai stations, so choosing residential areas gives you a very safe living environment.
Cost of Living
Alex
Cost score is null — is Yokohama expensive to live in?
Yuki
The waterfront must be pricey, but are there affordable areas?
Kai
Land price data hasn't been collected yet so the score is null, but rent varies dramatically by area — that's Yokohama's defining characteristic. Minato Mirai and Yokohama Station run ¥80,000-100,000 for a 1K, rivaling Tokyo prices. But Totsuka, Izumi, and Seya wards start from around ¥50,000. Overall, expect 20-30% less than Tokyo's 23 wards with more space for the same budget. With 3.78 million residents, you have an enormous range of neighborhood options.
Transport
Alex
Transport at 97.8 — almost a perfect score! Is it really that good?
Yuki
Can you realistically commute to Tokyo with minimal stress?
Kai
Public transit usage of 58.4% is near the top of our comparison. Yokohama Station is one of Japan's premier terminals, with JR, Tokyu, Keikyu, Sotetsu, and city subway converging. Tokyo Station in 25 minutes, Shinagawa in 20. Shin-Yokohama gives shinkansen access for business trips. Within the city, the Minato Mirai Line and Seaside Line add more coverage, and Haneda Airport is a direct Keikyu ride away. You can live completely car-free — this is genuinely among the best public transport infrastructure in the country.
Education
Alex
Education at 23.1 seems surprisingly low for Yokohama.
Yuki
With 525 schools, why is the score so low?
Kai
The absolute count of 525 schools is large, but at 0.14 per 1,000 residents, density is low. The enormous population of 3.78 million simply outpaces school numbers. That said, Yokohama's history as an international port city gives it a rich selection of international schools, and Yokohama National University anchors the higher education scene. Educational quality and diversity are high — the density-based score doesn't capture the full picture.
Healthcare
Alex
Healthcare at 8.5 seems low too. Not enough for 3.78 million?
Yuki
132 hospitals sounds like a lot, but the density tells a different story?
Kai
The 132 hospitals rank among the highest in absolute numbers nationally, but per 10,000 residents it's only 0.35 — the massive population creates a density gap. There are 3,148 clinics (8.33 per 10,000) so routine visits aren't a problem, but hospitalization can involve wait times. Advanced medical facilities like Yokohama City University Hospital are well-established, and easy access to Tokyo's medical infrastructure is a significant advantage.