Cost of Living in Hiroshima

Category	Cost
Apartment Rentals	1-bedroom apartment in city center: ¥60,000 - ¥80,000 per month 1-bedroom apartment outside city center: ¥40,000 - ¥60,000 per month 3-bedroom apartment in city center: ¥100,000 - ¥150,000 per month 3-bedroom apartment outside city center: ¥70,000 - ¥100,000 per month
Apartment Purchases	Price per square meter in city center: ¥300,000 - ¥500,000 Price per square meter outside city center: ¥200,000 - ¥300,000
Transportation	One-way local transport ticket: ¥180 - ¥220 Monthly transport pass: ¥10,000 - ¥15,000 Taxi starting tariff: ¥600 - ¥700 Taxi 1km tariff: ¥300 - ¥400 Gasoline (1 liter): ¥130 - ¥150
Groceries	Milk (1 liter): ¥150 - ¥200 Bread (500g): ¥150 - ¥300 Rice (1kg): ¥500 - ¥800 Eggs (12): ¥200 - ¥300 Chicken breasts (1kg): ¥500 - ¥800 Beef round (1kg): ¥1,000 - ¥2,000 Apples (1kg): ¥300 - ¥600 Tomatoes (1kg): ¥300 - ¥500 Potatoes (1kg): ¥200 - ¥400 Water (1.5-liter bottle): ¥80 - ¥150
Restaurants	Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: ¥600 - ¥1,000 Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: ¥3,000 - ¥6,000 McDonald's combo meal: ¥500 - ¥800 Domestic beer (0.5-liter draught): ¥400 - ¥600 Imported beer (0.33-liter bottle): ¥500 - ¥800 Cappuccino: ¥300 - ¥500 Coke/Pepsi (0.33-liter bottle): ¥100 - ¥200 Water (0.33-liter bottle): ¥80 - ¥150
Utilities	Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for an 85m2 apartment: ¥10,000 - ¥20,000 per month Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): ¥3,000 - ¥6,000 per month
Private School Tuition	Preschool: ¥300,000 - ¥800,000 per year Elementary School: ¥500,000 - ¥1,500,000 per year Middle School: ¥600,000 - ¥1,800,000 per year High School: ¥700,000 - ¥2,000,000 per year

Please note that these costs are approximate and can vary depending on individual preferences and lifestyle choices. It's also important to consider that prices may change over time due to inflation and other economic factors.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Hiroshima

"The cost of living in Hiroshima, is considered moderate compared to other major cities in Japan like Tokyo or Osaka. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can be quite affordable, while those located in the outskirts are even cheaper. The cost of utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, and water is also reasonable. Groceries in Hiroshima are priced moderately, with local markets and supermarkets offering a variety of goods at competitive prices. Eating out in restaurants can range from inexpensive for local cuisine to more costly for high-end dining experiences. Public transportation in Hiroshima is efficient and reasonably priced, with options including buses, trams, and trains. Taxis are also available but are more expensive. Healthcare in Hiroshima is of high quality and is generally affordable, especially for those covered by Japan's national health insurance system. Overall, while the cost of living in Hiroshima is not the cheapest in Japan, it is more affordable than in larger cities, and the quality of life is considered to be high," said one expat living in Hiroshima.

Can I live in Hiroshima on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Hiroshima for a while now, and I can tell you that it's possible to live on $1,500 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll need to find an affordable place to live. I recommend looking into neighborhoods like Nishi-ku or Higashi-ku, as they tend to have lower rent prices compared to more central areas like Naka-ku or Minami-ku. You can find a small apartment or a share house in these areas for around $500 to $700 a month.Next, you'll need to be mindful of your transportation costs. Hiroshima has a decent public transportation system, but it can get expensive if you're using it every day. I suggest getting a monthly pass for the bus or streetcar, which will cost you around $50 to $100, depending on the zones you need to cover. Alternatively, you could invest in a bicycle, as Hiroshima is quite bike-friendly and it's a great way to save on transportation costs.When it comes to food, eating out can be pricey, so I recommend cooking at home as much as possible. You can find affordable groceries at local supermarkets like Fukuya or Yours, and there are also discount stores like Don Quijote where you can find cheap household items and food. If you do want to eat out occasionally, there are plenty of affordable options like ramen shops, conveyor belt sushi, and fast food chains.For entertainment, there are many free or low-cost activities you can enjoy in Hiroshima. You can visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which is free, or take a walk around the beautiful Shukkeien Garden for a small fee. There are also many festivals and events throughout the year that you can attend without spending much money.In terms of sacrifices, you'll likely have to live in a smaller space than you're used to, and you may need to cut back on eating out, shopping, and other discretionary expenses. However, if you're willing to make these adjustments, it's definitely possible to live comfortably in Hiroshima on $1,500 a month," commented an expat living in Hiroshima.

Can I live in Hiroshima on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Hiroshima for a few years now, and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll want to look for housing in more affordable neighborhoods like Nishi-ku or Higashi-ku. These areas are a bit further from the city center, but they offer more reasonable rent prices. You should avoid more expensive neighborhoods like Naka-ku or Minami-ku, as the rent there can be quite high.When it comes to transportation, you'll want to rely on public transit like buses and trams, which are relatively affordable. Owning a car can be quite expensive, especially when you factor in parking fees and gas prices. If you're able to, consider biking or walking to work to save even more money.Eating out can also be a significant expense, so you'll want to cook at home as much as possible. There are plenty of affordable grocery stores in Hiroshima, like AEON or Valor, where you can find reasonably priced ingredients. When you do eat out, try to stick to more budget-friendly options like ramen shops or conveyor belt sushi restaurants.As for entertainment, there are plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy in Hiroshima. You can visit the beautiful parks, like Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park or Shukkeien Garden, or explore the city's many museums and historical sites. If you're into nightlife, you'll want to avoid the more expensive bars and clubs in the city center and instead look for more affordable izakayas or karaoke bars.In general, living on $3,000 a month in Hiroshima is doable, but you'll need to be mindful of your spending and make some sacrifices. By choosing a more affordable neighborhood, relying on public transportation, cooking at home, and enjoying low-cost entertainment options, you can live comfortably in this beautiful city," said one expat living in Hiroshima.

Can I live in Hiroshima on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Hiroshima for a few years now, and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $5,000 a month, even if you're used to modern amenities. Of course, you might have to make some sacrifices, but overall, it's quite doable.First, let's talk about housing. If you want to save money, I'd recommend looking for an apartment in a more affordable neighborhood like Higashi-ku or Nishi-ku. These areas are still quite convenient, with good access to public transportation and shopping, but the rent is generally lower than in more central areas like Naka-ku or Minami-ku. You can find a decent 1LDK (one bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen) apartment for around ¥60,000 to ¥80,000 ($540 to $720) per month in these areas.As for utilities, you can expect to pay around ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 ($90 to $135) per month for electricity, gas, and water combined. Internet service will cost you around ¥4,000 to ¥5,000 ($36 to $45) per month, depending on the provider and plan you choose.Groceries can be a bit expensive in Japan, but if you shop at local supermarkets and cook at home most of the time, you can keep your food expenses to around ¥40,000 to ¥50,000 ($360 to $450) per month. Eating out occasionally at affordable restaurants will add another ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 ($90 to $135) to your monthly expenses.Transportation costs will vary depending on how much you travel, but if you mainly use public transportation within Hiroshima, you can expect to spend around ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 ($90 to $135) per month on bus and tram fares. If you need to travel to other cities frequently, you might want to consider getting a Japan Rail Pass, which can save you a lot of money on train fares.As for entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses, you can probably budget around ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 ($180 to $270) per month for things like going to the movies, visiting museums, and enjoying the occasional night out with friends.So, if you add up all these expenses, you'll find that you can live quite comfortably in Hiroshima on $5,000 a month without making too many sacrifices. Of course, you might have to adjust your lifestyle a bit, but overall, I think you'll find that it's a great place to live with a good balance of affordability and modern amenities," commented an expat living in Hiroshima.