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Osaka rents in 2026 are still moving up, but the increase is not the same in every ward or every apartment type.
We constantly update this blog post, because Osaka rental data changes quickly when new listings, foreign-resident demand and central-ward supply shift.
This guide focuses only on residential property in Osaka, so it is useful if you are comparing studios, 1-bedroom apartments and family apartments.
And if you’re planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Osaka.
What are typical rents in Osaka as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a normal studio in Osaka rents for about ¥65,000 per month, which is roughly $420 or €380, based on recent Osaka City rents for one-room and 1K apartments.
For most Osaka studios in 2026, a realistic monthly range is ¥50,000 to ¥90,000, or about $320 to $580 and €290 to €530, depending on the ward and building quality.
This range matters because studio rents in Osaka are pushed up most by being near Umeda, Namba, Honmachi, Tennoji, Shin-Osaka or a major subway station, especially when the building is modern and has good security.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a 1-bedroom apartment in Osaka, usually close to a Japanese 1LDK, rents for about ¥94,000 per month, or roughly $610 and €550.
Because Osaka 1-bedroom apartments vary a lot by station access, most tenants should expect a monthly range of ¥75,000 to ¥140,000, which is about $480 to $900 and €440 to €820.
Within that range, cheaper Osaka 1-bedroom rents are more common in outer or older areas like Sumiyoshi, Higashisumiyoshi and parts of Joto, while the highest rents are usually in Kita, Chuo, Nishi, Fukushima and Tennoji.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a 2-bedroom apartment in Osaka, usually close to a Japanese 2LDK, rents for about ¥130,000 per month, or roughly $840 and €765.
For most Osaka 2-bedroom apartments in 2026, the practical monthly range is ¥100,000 to ¥220,000, which is about $650 to $1,420 and €590 to €1,290.
In Osaka, the cheaper 2-bedroom rents are usually found in older stock in outer wards like Suminoe, Higashiyodogawa and Hirano, while the most expensive 2-bedroom rents are in Kita, Chuo, Nishi, Fukushima and Tennoji.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Osaka.
What's the average rent per square meter in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average residential rent in Osaka is about ¥2,950 per square meter per month, or roughly $19 and €17 per square meter.
Across Osaka neighborhoods in 2026, a realistic range is about ¥2,400 to ¥3,400 per square meter per month, or about $15 to $22 and €14 to €20, with central wards at the top.
Compared with Tokyo, Osaka still looks cheaper per square meter, but Osaka is more expensive than many secondary Japanese cities because Umeda, Namba, Honmachi and Tennoji concentrate jobs, transport and lifestyle demand.
In Osaka, rent per square meter rises above average when the apartment is within a short walk of a subway or JR station, has a newer building, strong security, separate bath and toilet, good light and a practical layout.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Osaka in 2026?
As of 2026, average residential rents in Osaka are up by about 1% to 5% year over year, with small units and family units performing better than some compact 1LDK-type stock.
The main drivers are stronger central Osaka demand, more foreign residents, high purchase prices, young workers moving toward the city center, and a tight supply of good apartments near major stations.
This is slightly calmer than the strongest parts of 2025, but Osaka rent growth in 2026 is still positive because demand remains healthy in the best-connected neighborhoods.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Osaka in 2026?
As of 2026, a realistic rent-growth outlook for Osaka is about 2% to 4% citywide, and about 4% to 6% for strong apartments near the best stations.
The key support comes from Osaka’s job base, student demand, foreign-resident growth, tourism-related employment, Expo and IR-linked confidence, and buyers staying in rentals because central condo prices are high.
The strongest Osaka rent growth is likely around Umeda, Fukushima, Honmachi, Namba, Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, Nakatsu, Horie and other station-led micro-markets.
The main risks are weaker household income, too much new supply in one submarket, older buildings losing appeal, or a slowdown in foreign-resident and tourism-linked demand.
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Which neighborhoods rent best in Osaka as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, the top high-rent Osaka areas are Umeda and Nakanoshima in Kita at about ¥115,000 monthly, Chuo areas like Honmachi and Kitahama at about ¥110,000, and Nishi areas like Horie and Shinmachi at about ¥105,000, or roughly $680 to $740 and €620 to €675.
These Osaka neighborhoods command premium rents because they combine short commutes, famous stations, offices, restaurants, shopping, riverfront or lifestyle appeal, and newer apartment buildings.
The usual tenants in these high-rent Osaka neighborhoods are young professionals, dual-income couples, expats, corporate tenants and families who want central convenience more than extra space.
By the way, we’ve written a blog article detailing Sources and methodology: we used LIFULL HOME’S, At Home and Savills to rank Osaka high-rent areas. We converted ward-level rent signals into real neighborhood examples. We then checked these examples against our own Osaka station-area investment maps.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Osaka right now?
The top Osaka neighborhoods for young professionals are Fukushima, Honmachi and Horie or Shinmachi, because these areas give fast access to jobs, food, nightlife and major train lines.
In these Osaka neighborhoods, young professionals usually pay about ¥75,000 to ¥140,000 per month, or roughly $480 to $900 and €440 to €820, for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment.
Young professionals are drawn to these Osaka areas by short commutes to Umeda or Namba, modern buildings, cafes, gyms, late-night food, easy bicycle use and strong subway access.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Osaka.
Where do families prefer to rent in Osaka right now?
The top Osaka areas for families are Tennoji and Uehonmachi, Abeno, and Fukushima or Horie, because these areas balance central access with daily convenience.
Families in these Osaka neighborhoods usually pay about ¥150,000 to ¥240,000 per month, or roughly $970 to $1,550 and €880 to €1,410, for good 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom apartments.
These Osaka neighborhoods attract families because they offer larger layouts, parks, supermarkets, clinics, schools, safe streets, train access and a calmer feeling than the busiest entertainment zones.
Nearby education options include local public elementary and junior-high schools, private schools around Uehonmachi and Tennoji, and international-school choices in the wider Osaka and northern Osaka area.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Osaka in 2026?
As of 2026, the fastest-renting Osaka areas near transit or universities are Shin-Osaka and Higashi-Mikuni, Tennoji and Abeno, and Suita or Toyonaka near the Osaka University orbit.
In these high-demand Osaka areas, good rentals often stay listed for only about 14 to 35 days, while older or poorly priced apartments can take much longer.
A short walk to a major Osaka station or university can add about ¥10,000 to ¥25,000 per month, or roughly $65 to $160 and €60 to €150, compared with a similar unit farther away.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Osaka right now?
The top Osaka neighborhoods for expats are Kita around Umeda and Nakatsu, Chuo around Honmachi and Kitahama, and Nishi around Horie, because these areas feel central, practical and easy to navigate.
Expats in these Osaka neighborhoods usually pay about ¥95,000 to ¥180,000 per month, or roughly $610 to $1,160 and €560 to €1,060, depending on size, age and furnishing.
These Osaka neighborhoods attract expats because they offer easy rail access, English-friendly services, modern condos, restaurants, coworking options, shopping and good access to Kansai Airport routes.
The largest foreign-resident groups in Osaka include people from nearby Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam and Nepal, while Western expats are more visible in central business and international-service areas.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our Sources and methodology: we used Osaka City foreign-resident statistics, Savills and LIFULL HOME’S for expat-rental estimates. We matched foreign-resident demand with central Osaka rent and transport patterns. We also used our own expat-tenant notes for furnished and modern units.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Osaka right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Osaka?
The top tenant profiles in Osaka are single workers, students and foreign workers or students, followed by young couples and families who rent because central Osaka purchase prices are high.
A simple 2026 estimate is that single workers represent about 40% of active demand, students and foreign workers or students about 25%, young couples about 20%, and families about 15%.
Single workers and students usually look for studios and 1K units, young couples often choose 1LDK apartments, and Osaka families usually need 2LDK or 3LDK units near schools and rail lines.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our Sources and methodology: we used Savills, Osaka City foreign-resident statistics and SMTRI to estimate Osaka tenant profiles. We turned demographic signals into simple demand shares for readers. We also compared these shares with our own Osaka rental-investment demand model.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Osaka?
In Osaka long-term rentals, about 80% to 90% of tenants prefer unfurnished or lightly equipped apartments, while about 10% to 20% prefer furnished units.
A furnished Osaka apartment can often charge about ¥10,000 to ¥30,000 more per month, or about $65 to $190 and €60 to €175, if the furniture is useful and the lease is flexible.
Furnished rentals in Osaka are most attractive to expats, corporate tenants, exchange students, short-stay tenants and people who want to avoid the cost of buying furniture in Japan.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Osaka?
The five amenities that increase Osaka rent the most are a station walk under 10 minutes, auto-lock security, separate bath and toilet, delivery box, and fast internet readiness.
In Osaka, these amenities can each add about ¥3,000 to ¥20,000 per month, or roughly $20 to $130 and €18 to €120, with station access usually creating the largest premium.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Osaka, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Osaka?
The best ROI renovations for Osaka rentals are fresh wallpaper and flooring, a new air conditioner, better lighting, a cleaner bathroom or toilet, and easier internet setup.
Typical Osaka renovation costs can range from ¥80,000 to ¥800,000, or about $520 to $5,160 and €470 to €4,700, and the rent increase is often about ¥3,000 to ¥25,000 per month when the upgrade fixes a clear tenant problem.
Poor-ROI renovations in Osaka usually include luxury finishes in old outer-ward buildings, expensive custom kitchens in small studios, and major layout changes when the building age or station distance still limits rent.
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How strong is rental demand in Osaka as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a realistic vacancy rate for good central Osaka rental apartments is about 6% to 8%, while the broader Osaka City market is closer to 9% to 12% when older stock is included.
In Osaka, vacancy can be low in Kita, Chuo, Nishi, Fukushima and Tennoji, but it can be higher in older buildings, outer wards and apartments far from train stations.
Compared with the broader historical vacancy picture, today’s best Osaka rentals feel tighter because demand is concentrated in modern, well-located apartments rather than in all housing stock.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Osaka.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a normal Osaka rental apartment stays listed for about 30 to 45 days, but good central studios and 1K units can lease faster.
In practice, a strong Osaka studio near a major station may rent in 14 to 30 days, a good 1LDK or 2LDK may take 21 to 45 days, and older outer-ward units may take 45 to 70 days.
Compared with one year ago, Osaka days on market look slightly shorter for the best units because rent demand is still firm, but weak older buildings still need pricing discipline.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Osaka?
The peak months for tenant demand in Osaka are January, February, March and early April, with February and March usually the busiest rental-moving period.
This Osaka rental season happens because Japan’s school year, university entry, company transfers and new jobs all cluster around April.
The quietest months for Osaka tenant demand are usually late May, June, July and part of August, when fewer people change jobs, schools or homes.
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What will my monthly costs be in Osaka as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, a typical Osaka condo landlord should expect about ¥80,000 to ¥180,000 per year in fixed asset tax and city planning tax, or roughly $520 to $1,160 and €470 to €1,060.
For most Osaka residential landlords, a realistic annual property-tax range is about ¥50,000 to ¥250,000, or about $320 to $1,610 and €290 to €1,470, depending on assessed value, age, land share and location.
Osaka property tax is mainly based on taxable assessed value, with fixed asset tax usually at 1.4% and city planning tax at 0.3%, before residential land reductions and building-specific details.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Osaka, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Osaka right now?
In Osaka long-term rentals, landlords usually do not pay the tenant’s electricity, gas, water or personal internet, but they often pay building management fees, repair reserves, insurance and shared-building costs.
For an Osaka condo landlord, these landlord-paid building costs often total about ¥15,000 to ¥45,000 per month, or roughly $100 to $290 and €90 to €265, depending on building age and size.
The common Osaka practice is simple: tenants pay private utilities directly, while landlords pay ownership costs, building-level charges, taxes, insurance and turnover costs.
How is rental income taxed in Osaka as of 2026?
As of 2026, Osaka rental income is Japan-source real estate income, and non-resident landlords may face 20.42% withholding in some cases before final tax filing or treaty treatment.
Osaka landlords can usually deduct ordinary rental expenses such as management fees, repair costs, insurance, property taxes, agency fees, depreciation and loan interest where allowed.
A common Osaka-specific tax mistake is treating gross rent as profit, forgetting Japanese depreciation rules, ignoring withholding for non-residents, or not separating tenant-paid utilities from true landlord income.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our Sources and methodology: we used National Tax Agency, Osaka City fixed asset tax and Osaka City city planning tax for tax treatment. We kept tax guidance simple because final tax depends on residency, deductions and treaty position. We also use our own Osaka cashflow templates to show investors the practical effect.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Japan versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Osaka, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don’t throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source used | Why this source is useful | How we used this source |
|---|---|---|
| SMTRI × At Home Mansion Rent Index | It is a rent index built from actual apartment lease cases, so it is stronger than simple listing data. | We used it as the main 2026 rent-growth source for Osaka City. We relied on its Q1 2026 Osaka figures to anchor year-over-year rent change and outlook. |
| At Home Osaka City rent table | At Home is a major Japanese rental portal with recent rental data by layout. | We used it to estimate studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom monthly rents in Osaka. We mapped one-room and 1K to studio, 1LDK to 1-bedroom, and 2LDK to 2-bedroom. |
| LIFULL HOME’S Osaka ward rent table | LIFULL HOME’S is one of Japan’s largest housing portals and gives ward-level rent averages. | We used it to identify the higher-rent Osaka wards and the lower-rent Osaka wards. We also used it to cross-check the At Home rent levels. |
| LIFULL HOME’S Market Report | It explains rental-market movement using listing and inquiry data from a large housing portal. | We used it to understand Osaka rent momentum before 2026. We also used it to support the view that rent rises are linked to broad cost and demand pressure. |
| Statistics Bureau Housing and Land Survey | This is Japan’s official housing survey and gives the strongest base for housing-stock context. | We used it for broad housing stock, vacancy and tenure context. We treated it as a base source, then adjusted for active Osaka rental-market conditions. |
| Osaka City 2023 Housing and Land Survey | It is Osaka City’s official local release of the national housing survey. | We used it to keep the vacancy discussion specific to Osaka City. We avoided applying prefecture-wide vacancy too directly to central Osaka apartments. |
| Osaka Prefecture Housing and Land Survey release | It is the prefectural government’s official summary of housing survey results. | We used it for broader Osaka vacancy and housing-stock context. We used it as a check against Osaka City-specific estimates. |
| Osaka City foreign resident statistics | It is Osaka City’s official dataset for foreign residents. | We used it to understand expat and foreign-worker rental demand in Osaka. We also used it to support the demand view for central wards. |
| Osaka City population statistics | It is Osaka City’s official resident register statistics page. | We used it to check population direction and foreign-population direction. We used it to support the rental-demand view in central Osaka. |
| Savills Osaka Residential Markets | Savills is a major global real estate research firm with local Japan market coverage. | We used it for tenant profiles, central-ward strength, renter share and rent per square meter. We cross-checked its older base data with 2026 rent growth from SMTRI. |
| Savills Osaka Residential PDF | It gives detailed Osaka City leasing fundamentals and clear submarket context. | We used it for central six wards, migration, foreign-national demand and rent per square meter. We treated it as market research, not as official statistics. |
| TAS Osaka vacancy and rent unit analysis | TAS is a Japanese real estate data company that tracks rental listing data. | We used it for vacancy direction and rent-per-square-meter texture by layout. We used it carefully because listing data is not the same as official housing stock data. |
| Osaka City fixed asset tax | It is Osaka City’s official property-tax page. | We used it for the fixed asset tax rate and landlord holding-cost estimates. We converted official rates into practical annual owner-cost ranges for Osaka condos. |
| Osaka City city planning tax | It is Osaka City’s official city planning tax page. | We used it for the 0.3% city planning tax and residential land reductions. We combined it with fixed asset tax for realistic annual cost estimates. |
| National Tax Agency non-resident rental income | It is Japan’s official tax guidance for non-resident real estate income. | We used it for Japan-source rental income and the 20.42% withholding rule for non-residents. We separated this from ordinary resident taxation because the final tax result depends on the landlord. |
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