At a glance
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Fukuoka City was ¥56,424 a month, from ¥49,704 in Jonan ward to ¥64,382 in Chuo ward. The median commute in the Kitakyushu–Fukuoka area was 26.5 minutes, among the shortest of Japan's big city areas in the survey.
- Area
- Fukuoka City wards and nearby cities
- Nearest station
- Hakata Station
- Property type
- Apartment
- Rent
- ¥49,704 – ¥64,382 / month
- Last updated
- November 7, 2026
Prices are approximate and for general guidance only, not financial advice.
Prices, taxes and rules change. Last checked: 7 November 2026. Figures come from the official statistics and pages listed under Sources; confirm them before you sign anything.
Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu. Hakata Station (shinkansen and main train hub) and Fukuoka Airport are both in Hakata ward, and the Tenjin business and shopping district is in Chuo ward.
Rents and land prices by area
| Area | Average rent | Land price / m² |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka City (all wards) | ¥56,424 | ¥258,100 |
| Chuo (Tenjin) | ¥64,382 | ¥593,100 |
| Hakata | ¥57,815 | ¥273,300 |
| Sawara | ¥58,192 | ¥271,100 |
| Minami | ¥55,863 | ¥238,000 |
| Nishi | ¥53,813 | ¥162,400 |
| Higashi | ¥50,517 | ¥152,700 |
| Jonan | ¥49,704 | ¥197,800 |
| Kasuga | ¥54,525 | ¥168,900 |
| Onojo | ¥58,544 | ¥160,100 |
About these numbers. The rent column is the average monthly rent paid by all renting households in October 2023 (Housing and Land Survey). It includes public, company and family-size homes and excludes common fees, so a new one-room apartment can cost more or less. Rents have risen since 2023. The land column is MLIT’s average price of residential land per square metre on 1 January 2026, not the price of an apartment. Use them to compare areas in the Fukuoka area, not as a quote.
Renting households whose main earner was aged 25 to 34 paid ¥58,051 on average in Fukuoka City in 2023.
Where newcomers on a worker’s budget look
- Higashi and Jonan wards had the lowest averages in the city.
- Hakata ward, around the main station, averaged close to the city figure.
- Kasuga and Onojo, small cities just south of Fukuoka City, averaged about the same as the city.
Commute trade-offs
The Housing and Land Survey does not publish distance bands for Fukuoka. For the whole Kitakyushu–Fukuoka metropolitan area, the median one-way commute of employed household heads was 26.5 minutes in 2023, compared with 44.8 minutes in the Kanto area. Rent per tatami for private rentals in the area was ¥3,124, against ¥5,186 in the Kanto area.
Renting first, buying later
Most newcomers rent first. Expect move-in costs of several months’ rent, a guarantor or guarantee company, and a two-year contract (see our guide to finding an apartment). Within 14 days of moving in, report your address at the ward or city office (first 14 days guide). Buying in Fukuoka is possible for foreign residents, but most buyers need a mortgage, and many lenders want permanent residence (see mortgages for foreign residents).
MLIT notes that a non-refundable part of the deposit (shikibiki) is common in Kyushu. Ask for it in writing before you sign.
Common mistakes and scams
- Choosing only by rent. Add the monthly commuter pass and the time you lose each day.
- Paying a “deposit” or “holding fee” to someone who is not a licensed real estate agent, or by transfer to a personal account.
- Signing before the agent’s important-points explanation, or without a written list of all move-in costs.
- Ignoring the hazard map. Check flood and landslide risk for the exact address on the city’s map.
- Comparing a listing’s rent with these averages as if they were the same thing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lower average rents than Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in 2023.
- Short typical commutes in a compact city.
- The gap between central and outer wards is smaller than in Tokyo.
Cons
- Land prices in Chuo ward (Tenjin) were more than twice the city average in 2026.
- The survey publishes no distance bands for Fukuoka, so compare commutes yourself.
- Onojo averaged slightly more than Fukuoka City, so nearby cities are not automatically cheaper.
Map
The map is provided by a third-party map service. It loads only when you choose to view it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fukuoka cheap to live in?
Cheaper than the three biggest areas on average. Renting households paid ¥56,424 a month in Fukuoka City in 2023, against ¥93,579 in Tokyo’s 23 wards.
Which ward is best for the airport and shinkansen?
Hakata ward has both Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport. Its 2023 average rent was ¥57,815.
How long are commutes?
The median one-way commute in the Kitakyushu–Fukuoka area was 26.5 minutes in 2023.
Are there deposits that are not returned?
Yes, possibly: MLIT says a fixed non-refundable part of the deposit (shikibiki) is common in Kyushu. Read the contract.
