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Osaka
#53 of 124
Asia

Osaka

Japan

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Osaka compare to Rio de Janeiro?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Osaka is 46% better off vs in Rio de Janeiro

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Osaka compared to Rio de Janeiro, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$53,824
+$25K (+88%) vs Rio de Janeiro
Based on 377 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$37,677
+$19K (+97%) vs Rio de Janeiro
Tax Rate: 30%

Community Insights

New

Osaka offers a compelling lifestyle alternative to Tokyo for software engineers who prioritize affordability and social connection over maximum career velocity. While the local job market is smaller and pays less, the cost of living is significantly lower, meaning a modest salary goes much further. The city is famous for its gritty charm, incredible food scene, and outgoing locals, creating a warmer, albeit rougher, atmosphere than the capital. However, the intense summer heat and limited English-speaking support can be challenging for unprepared newcomers.

Resident Sentiment

Residents generally love the vibe and do not regret moving, often citing the "warm" human interactions and superior food culture as major retention factors. A common sentiment among successful expats is that living in Osaka while working remotely for a Tokyo company is the ultimate "cheat code" for life in Japan. However, some eventually move to Tokyo for better career progression or to escape the perceived "roughness" of the city.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to Rio de Janeiro.

Rankings

Cost of Living

Top 22%

#27

of 124 cities

33/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Top 29%

#36

of 124 cities

66.9/100

Current value

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#50

of 124 cities

30%

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Osaka compared to Rio de Janeiro?

Avg. Property Price
$4,160 / m²
110% more expensive than Rio de Janeiro
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Osaka to maintain the same standard of living.

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Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
35% more expensive than Rio de Janeiro
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Osaka

Google logo
Google
Indeed logo
Indeed
Woven by Toyota logo
Woven by Toyota
  • Significantly lower rent and cost of living compared to Tokyo, allowing for a higher quality of life on a similar budget.
  • Renowned food culture (known as the "Kitchen of Japan") with affordable and delicious street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
  • Locals are widely considered friendlier and more outgoing than in Tokyo, making it easier to strike up conversations at bars.
  • Strategic location with quick access to Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara for weekend trips.
  • Generally more laid-back and less stressful atmosphere than the frantic pace of Tokyo.
  • Walkable and compact city center, often requiring less crowded train commutes than Tokyo's notorious rush hour.

    • The Bad

    • Limited tech job market compared to Tokyo; fewer startups and global tech companies have HQs here.
    • Lower average salaries for local roles, which can be a shock for those expecting Tokyo or Western pay scales.
    • Language barrier is higher; fewer English-friendly environments and the local Kansai-ben dialect can be confusing for learners.
    • Brutal summer heat and humidity (often described as a concrete sauna), which can be physically draining.
    • The city is grittier and dirtier than Tokyo, which might shock those expecting the pristine cleanliness of the capital.
    • Fewer tech meetups and a smaller developer community, offering fewer networking opportunities for career growth.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    Mid-to-senior engineers with remote jobs (earning Tokyo or USD salaries) who want to save money and enjoy a vibrant nightlife. It is also ideal for foodies and extroverts who speak conversational Japanese and find Tokyo's culture too reserved or sterile.

    Skip it if...

    Junior developers relying on English-speaking mentorship, as such roles are scarce. Career climbers focused on joining high-growth startups or big tech HQs will find the ceiling here lower. Additionally, those sensitive to extreme heat/humidity or who prefer a pristine, quiet environment may struggle with Osaka's chaotic energy.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather4.4/10+47% vs Rio de Janeiro
    Safety67+170%
    Pollution49-28%
    Events0-100%
    4.4/10TechCities weather score vs 3.0/10 in Rio de Janeiro

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    20°C(vs 28°C in Rio de Janeiro)
    Average Low
    13°C(vs 22°C in Rio de Janeiro)
    Sunshine Hours
    2,010h/yr-177h/yr(-8%)
    Hottest Month High
    32°C(vs 31°C in Rio de Janeiro)
    Coldest Month Low
    2°C(vs 19°C in Rio de Janeiro)
    Rainy Days
    117/yr-16/yr(-12%)

    Community & Quality

    Osaka community pulse

    Osaka has 0 Luma events listed.

    100% fewer events than Rio de Janeiro.

    Purchasing Power

    Middle of the pack

    #53

    of 124 cities

    Comfortable Weather

    Middle of the pack

    #61

    of 124 cities

    44/100 weather score

    Current value

    Pollution Score

    Middle of the pack

    #65

    of 124 cities

    48.7/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Home Affordability

    Middle of the pack

    #71

    of 124 cities

    ≈8.8 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    Net Income

    Bottom 33%

    #84

    of 124 cities

    $37,677/yr

    Current value

    Community Events

    Bottom 17%

    #104

    of 124 cities

    0 events on luma

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    8.8 years
    0.6 years longer than Rio de Janeiro
    Muggy Days
    87/yr-175/yr(-67%)
    Cloud Cover
    45%(vs 47% in Rio de Janeiro)