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Hi! I’m Astronaut Alex 👨🚀🚀, and today, we’re talking about the cost of living in Osaka. Do you know Osaka used to be the capital of Japan in the 4th-5th century? Well, it can be expensive to study abroad but with the right knowledge of managing the expenses, you will be able to stay comfortably.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer, from delicious food to exciting attractions. But what about the cost of living in Osaka? Is it affordable? The good news is that Osaka is more affordable than other major Japanese cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto. But the cost of living varies with your lifestyle and spending habits. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the different factors that can affect your cost of living in Osaka, and provide some tips on how to save money. Let’s get started!
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Also Read: Cost of Living in Japan
👩🎓Why Study in Osaka?
Apart from the affordable cost of living in Osaka, it is home to some of the top universities in the world. Osaka University has been ranked #80 by QS World University Rankings 2024. In addition to quality education, the city is also a major economic hub of Japan, with many opportunities for employment post-graduation for students. Lastly, Osaka is a vibrant city with a lot to offer students, including delicious food, exciting nightlife, and a rich culture. Let’s find out how affordable Osaka is for students.
💸Cost of Living in Osaka
The average monthly cost of living in Osaka ranges between ¥150,000 – ¥200,000 for international students. But this cost will vary depending on your lifestyle and preferences. Given below are some essential living costs in Osaka on a monthly basis:
| Living accommodation | ¥70,000 – ¥100,000 |
| Food and groceries | ¥30,000 – ¥50,000 |
| Transportation | ¥10,000 – ¥15,000 |
| Entertainment | ¥20,000 – ¥30,000 |
| Utilities and bills | ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 |
| Total | ¥150,000 – ¥200,000 |
➡️Living Accommodation
One of the main cost of living in Osaka, here’s how much different types of accommodation cost in the city for a student:
| Accommodation Type | Monthly Rent |
| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment | 60,339.77 ¥ |
| Cheap 3-bedroom apartment | 120,074.64 ¥ |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 70,666.67 ¥ |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 44,576.92 ¥ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 137,150.95 ¥ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 108,019.52 ¥ |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Kyoto: A Guide
➡️Food and Groceries
Another major cost of living in Osaka to know is food and groceries. So here’s a list of different food items and groceries available in the city’s supermarkets along with their prices:
| Item | Price |
| Milk (1 litre) | 220.79 ¥ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 249.53 ¥ |
| White Rice (1kg) | 411.34 ¥ |
| Eggs (1 dozen) | 313.04 ¥ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 2389.39 ¥ |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | 1,072 ¥ |
| Apples (1kg) | 629.11 ¥ |
| Banana (1kg) | 297.92 ¥ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 523.25 ¥ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 747.06 ¥ |
| Potato (1kg) | 455.19 ¥ |
| Onion (1kg) | 276.75 ¥ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 152.22 ¥ |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 109.85 ¥ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 2011.33 ¥ |
| Cold medicine (For 1 week) | 1920.59 ¥ |
| Shampoo | 724.38 ¥ |
| Toilet Paper (4 rolls) | 313.04 ¥ |
| Toothpaste | 254.06 ¥ |
➡️Eating Out
You can always opt to eat out if you can’t make time to cook your own meals. But it can be expensive to eat out daily. Here’s how much the cost of living in Osaka:
| Expense | Cost |
| Item from a lunch menu (for 1 person) | 993.56 ¥ |
| Dinner in a restaurant (for 2) | 5792.01¥ |
| Fast food meal | 840.82 ¥ |
| Cappuccino | 559.54 ¥ |
➡️Transportation
Since it supports public transport to save fuel emissions and time, the cost of living in Osaka is much lower than in other Japanese cities like Tokyo. Here’s a list of different public transportation expenses in the city:
| Transport Expense | Cost |
| Local transport ticket | 272.21 ¥ |
| Monthly transport ticket | 12,219.18 ¥ |
| Taxi ride (8km or 5mi) | 4,189 ¥ |
| Gas/ petrol (1l or 0.26 gal) | 178.45 ¥ |
➡️Sports and Entertainment
This cost of living in Osaka will vary with your frequency of going out. Here’s how much sports and recreation costs in the city for an international student:
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 7,651.67 ¥ |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 hour on weekend) | 2,159.38 ¥ |
| Cinema ticket (1 person) | 2041.57 ¥ |
| Gym membership (1 month) | 8786.32 ¥ |
➡️Utilities and Bills
The cost of utilities and bills in Osaka is exactly half that of Tokyo. Here’s how much the monthly cost of different utilities and bills is in the city:
| Utility/Bill | Monthly Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 15,648.96 ¥ |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 3,551.32 ¥ |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 4,312.08 ¥ |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Tokyo: A Guide
💸Average Tuition Fees in Osaka
The average tuition fees in Osaka will depend on the type of university you have enrolled. Here’s a general breakdown of tuition fees for public and private universities in Osaka:
| University Type | Average Tuition Fees |
| Public | ¥500,000 – ¥800,000 |
| Private | ¥800,000 – ¥1,200,000 |
International students should expect to pay an additional ¥80,000 – ¥100,000 per year in entrance fees and other expenses. However, there are many scholarships and financial aid available for them. You can visit the university’s official website for more details.
📌Things to Consider Before Moving to Osaka
Since the Japanese culture is unique compared to other countries, it can take some time for you to adjust. In addition to the cost of living in Osaka, here are some things you should consider before relocating to the city:
Climate
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with 4 seasons. Spring and autumn are mild, summer is hot and humid, and winter is mild and dry. Drink plenty of water, wear loose clothing, use sunscreen in summer, dress in layers in winter, and stay indoors when typhoon hits.
Get a Student Visa
You will need a student visa to study in Japan. You can apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
Find A School
Be sure to do proper research and choose the right university/language school to study in Osaka.
Enroll in a Japanese Language Class
It is important to be respectful of Japanese culture and customs. So consider enrolling in a Japanese language class before you move to Osaka, as it will make your life easier when you arrive.
Get a Job
If you are on a tight budget during your studies, you may want to consider getting a part-time job. It will help you deal with the sudden expenses.
Make Friends
And most importantly, try and make friends with other international students and Japanese people. It will help you to feel less homesick, and even enjoy your stay in Osaka.
Also Read: Tips and Tricks on Investing While Living Abroad!
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Mr. Astronaut👨🚀🚀- “ Kiddos, I have answered all your queries with the utmost precision that I was capable of. Now, I will be taking my leave, but if you think that I might have missed something do check out the FAQ section or drop a comment. I always respond!”
FAQs
Ans. Osaka is generally more affordable than other major Japanese cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto. However, the cost of living can vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.
Ans. Yes, Osaka is cheaper than Tokyo, with the cost of living in Osaka estimated to be about 10-20% lower than in Tokyo.
Ans. Compared to other major Japanese cities, rent in Osaka is relatively affordable. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is around ¥70,000.
We hope that this blog provided you with all information regarding the cost of living in Osaka for international students in 2023. To discover more about student life abroad, keep following Leverage Edu, or call us at 1800 57 2000 and get a free 30-minute counselling session to get started on yourstudy abroad journey today. Thank you for reading!
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