At a glance
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Tokyo's 23 wards was ¥93,579 a month, from ¥65,958 in Adachi to ¥192,525 in Minato. Cities just outside, such as Kawaguchi, Funabashi and Matsudo, were close to the cheaper outer wards. Rent per tatami falls with distance from the centre, but the typical commute gets longer.
- Area
- Tokyo 23 wards and nearby Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa cities
- Nearest station
- Tokyo Station
- Property type
- Apartment
- Rent
- ¥65,958 – ¥192,525 / 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.
Tokyo’s central wards are the most expensive places to rent in Japan, so many people rent in the outer wards, or in the cities of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa near Tokyo, and commute by train. This guide uses official statistics to compare those choices.
Rents and land prices by area
| Area | Average rent | Land price / m² |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 23 wards (all) | ¥93,579 | ¥856,400 |
| Minato (central) | ¥192,525 | ¥3,013,700 |
| Shinjuku (central) | ¥109,833 | ¥1,131,600 |
| Itabashi | ¥74,148 | ¥553,600 |
| Nerima | ¥84,022 | ¥480,500 |
| Edogawa | ¥75,644 | ¥441,100 |
| Katsushika | ¥68,025 | ¥387,500 |
| Adachi | ¥65,958 | ¥410,800 |
| Kawaguchi (Saitama) | ¥70,429 | ¥264,900 |
| Saitama City | ¥68,025 | ¥246,700 |
| Ichikawa (Chiba) | ¥72,326 | ¥306,700 |
| Funabashi (Chiba) | ¥66,962 | ¥198,600 |
| Matsudo (Chiba) | ¥61,197 | ¥170,300 |
| Kawasaki (Kanagawa) | ¥78,353 | ¥319,400 |
| Yokohama (Kanagawa) | ¥74,528 | ¥266,000 |
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 Tokyo area, not as a quote.
For comparison, the national average was ¥59,643. Renting households whose main earner was aged 25 to 34 paid ¥93,094 on average in the 23 wards.
Where newcomers on a worker’s budget look
- Outer wards to the north and east: Adachi, Katsushika, Edogawa, Itabashi and Kita. In 2023 their averages were among the lowest of the 23 wards, and you stay inside Tokyo.
- Saitama: Kawaguchi and Toda border Tokyo across the Arakawa River. Saitama City, which includes the Omiya rail hub, is further north.
- Chiba: Ichikawa, Matsudo and Funabashi lie just east of Tokyo.
- Kanagawa: Kawasaki lies between Tokyo and Yokohama. In the statistics it was not cheaper than the outer wards on average.
The table shows that crossing the Tokyo border does not automatically mean lower rent: Kawaguchi and Kawasaki averaged more than Adachi. The bigger difference is between the central wards and everywhere else.
Commute trade-offs
The Housing and Land Survey measures distance bands around the former Tokyo Metropolitan Government site in Chiyoda ward, near Tokyo Station. For private rental homes, rent per tatami (about 1.6 m²) fell with distance, while the median one-way commute of employed household heads first rose:
| Distance from central Tokyo | Rent per tatami | Median commute |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 km | ¥7,995 | 36.8 min |
| 10–20 km | ¥5,554 | 47.8 min |
| 20–30 km | ¥4,593 | 52.2 min |
| 30–40 km | ¥3,859 | 46.5 min |
In other words, a home 20 to 30 km out costs a little over half as much per tatami as one in the centre, but the typical commute is about a quarter of an hour longer each way. (Further out, commutes get shorter again because more people work locally.) Ask your employer whether it pays a commuting allowance, and check the real door-to-door time at rush hour before you sign.
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 Tokyo is possible for foreign residents, but most buyers need a mortgage, and many lenders want permanent residence (see mortgages for foreign residents).
Land prices show why buying in the centre is hard: the 23-ward average was ¥856,400 per m² in 2026, against ¥198,600 in Funabashi. See can foreigners buy property in Japan? for costs and taxes.
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.
Getting around: our trains and buses guide explains IC cards and commuter passes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Outer wards such as Adachi, Katsushika and Itabashi had average rents far below the central wards in 2023.
- Nearby cities such as Matsudo and Funabashi averaged below most of the 23 wards.
- Private rent per tatami 20–30 km out was a little over half the central level.
Cons
- The 23-ward average rent (¥93,579) was well above the national average (¥59,643).
- The longest commutes: the median for the Kanto area was 44.8 minutes one way in 2023.
- Living 20–30 km out added about 15 minutes to the median one-way commute.
Map
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Frequently asked questions
What is a realistic rent for a single worker in Tokyo?
We do not quote one figure. Official 2023 averages for all renting households ranged from ¥65,958 (Adachi) to ¥192,525 (Minato) across the 23 wards. Look at real listings for the room size you need, and add the common fee and the commuter pass.
Is it cheaper to live in Saitama or Chiba?
Sometimes, but not always. In 2023 Matsudo and Funabashi averaged below most wards, while Kawaguchi averaged more than Adachi. Compare specific towns, and include the commute.
How long are commutes in the Tokyo area?
In 2023 the median one-way commute for employed household heads in the Kanto area was 44.8 minutes, and 52.2 minutes for those living 20–30 km from central Tokyo.
Can I rent without a Japanese guarantor?
Usually yes, through a rent guarantee company. MLIT says the fee is often 35% to 50% of one month’s rent for two years.
