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Nagoya

Nagoya for newcomers: renting in the city wards and nearby cities

Where newcomers rent in Nagoya: official average rents and land prices for Nagoya's 16 wards and nearby cities, and short commutes compared with Tokyo and Osaka.

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At a glance

Nagoya

Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Nagoya was ¥59,224 a month, from ¥41,983 in Minato ward to ¥71,613 in Naka ward. The median commute in the Chukyo area was 28.4 minutes, much shorter than Tokyo or Osaka. Check where your workplace is first: it may be outside the city.

Area
Nagoya City wards and nearby cities
Nearest station
Nagoya Station
Property type
Apartment
Rent
¥41,983 – ¥71,613 / 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.

Nagoya is the centre of the Chukyo area. Nagoya Station is in Nakamura ward, and the Sakae shopping district in Naka ward. Start with where you will work: if it is in another Aichi city, living near it may be easier than living in Nagoya.

Rents and land prices by area

AreaAverage rentLand price / m²
Nagoya City (all wards)¥59,224¥230,000
Naka (Sakae)¥71,613¥1,253,000
Nakamura (Nagoya Station)¥60,219¥218,100
Chikusa¥65,952¥309,900
Kita¥53,518¥183,600
Nakagawa¥52,842¥150,100
Moriyama¥53,666¥140,300
Minato¥41,983¥122,600
Kasugai¥55,641¥124,200
Average monthly rent paid by renting households (Oct 2023) and average residential land price per m² (1 Jan 2026) — indicative, checked 7 November 2026

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 Nagoya area, not as a quote.

Renting households whose main earner was aged 25 to 34 paid ¥62,575 on average in Nagoya in 2023.

Where newcomers on a worker’s budget look

  • Near Nagoya Station: Nakamura ward averaged close to the city figure.
  • Outer wards: Kita, Nakagawa, Moriyama and Minato averaged well below ¥60,000.
  • Nearby cities: Kasugai to the north averaged below the city.

Commute trade-offs

Distance bands are measured from Nagoya City Hall. For private rentals in 2023:

Distance from Nagoya City HallRent per tatamiMedian commute
0–10 km¥3,81531.0 min
10–20 km¥3,02132.2 min
20–30 km¥3,08926.9 min
Private rentals in the Nagoya 50 km zone, 2023 — indicative, checked 7 November 2026

Commutes stay short at every distance, because many people work close to home. The median for the whole Chukyo area was 28.4 minutes. If you will need a car, add parking, insurance and a Japanese driving licence to your budget.

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 Nagoya is possible for foreign residents, but most buyers need a mortgage, and many lenders want permanent residence (see mortgages for foreign residents).

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 and Osaka in 2023.
  • The shortest typical commutes of the three big metropolitan areas.
  • Wide choice of wards with averages below ¥60,000.

Cons

  • If your workplace is in another Aichi city, you may need a car or a long trip.
  • Central Naka ward (Sakae) is much more expensive than the rest.
  • Ward averages vary widely, from ¥41,983 (Minato) to ¥71,613 (Naka).

Map

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Frequently asked questions

Is Nagoya cheaper than Osaka?

A little, on average: ¥59,224 a month in Nagoya and ¥61,704 in Osaka City for all renting households in 2023.

Do I need a car in Nagoya?

It depends on where you work and live. Ask your employer how other staff commute, and check the trip at the time you would travel.

Which ward is cheapest?

In 2023, Minato ward had the lowest average (¥41,983). Averages include public housing, so look at real listings too.

How long are commutes?

The median one-way commute in the Chukyo area was 28.4 minutes in 2023, the shortest of the three big metropolitan areas.

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