Iwate Housing Market 2026: Morioka Holds On as the Prefecture Shrinks
Data updated 2026-11-11 · Source: MLIT transaction price survey, 2005 Q3–2026 Q2 · Transactions in 2025: 1,816
In short
- 1A 7% population drop in five years
Iwate's population fell 7% between 2020 and 2025, and households fell too.
- 2Flat land, softening condos
On the government's fixed benchmark sites, residential land has not changed in five years and commercial land has fallen slightly.
- 3Thin data, big swings
Iwate has only about 100 condo sales a year, so single-year figures jump around.
- 4High yields, higher risk
A median condo costs about 22 years of the local median rent, much lower than the national 38 years.
The answers, compared
What does a home cost?
¥12.0M
median used condo · ¥185k/m²
67% below the Japan median
43 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Are prices rising?
-22.3%
over 5 years
Slower than Japan (+33.4%)
47 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Can local earners afford it?
3.9× income
median price ÷ average taxable income
Easier than Japan (6.6×)
43 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Rent or buy?
22years of rent
median price ÷ a year of median rent
Shorter than Japan (38)
43 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Are people moving in?
-7.0%
population, 2020–25
Shrinking faster than Japan (-2.5%)
45 of 47 prefectures, highest first
How risky is it?
12%
chance of strong shaking (6-lower+) in 30 years
Lower than Japan (38%)
32 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Rent in Iwate
The average private rental costs ¥49k a month (2023), +2.8% since 2018. Japan: ¥65k
| Floor area | Typical layout | Average rent / month | IwateJapan |
|---|---|---|---|
| under 30 m² studio / 1K | studio / 1K | ¥41k vs 2018 +2.2% · Japan: ¥53k | |
| 30–49 m² 1LDK / 2DK | 1LDK / 2DK | ¥48k vs 2018 +2.9% · Japan: ¥64k | |
| 50–69 m² 2LDK / 3DK | 2LDK / 3DK | ¥57k vs 2018 +5.9% · Japan: ¥75k | |
| 70–99 m² 3LDK / family | 3LDK / family | ¥59k vs 2018 +6.1% · Japan: ¥88k | |
| 100–149 m² mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥51k vs 2018 -0.9% · Japan: ¥84k | |
| 150 m² + mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥46k vs 2018 -10.0% · Japan: ¥91k |
- Rent per m²
- ¥1,223
- median, per month · Japan: ¥1,598
- The median used condo (¥12.0M, 60 m²) costs about 17 years of average rent for a similar-sized home (¥57k a month).
- Excludes management fees, repair reserve, property tax and mortgage interest.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Housing and Land Survey 2023. Privately owned rentals (excluding rent-free homes), monthly rent without management fees. These averages include older homes, so they run below asking rents for newly listed units. 103,000 rented homes.
A 7% population drop in five years
Iwate's population fell 7% between 2020 and 2025, and households fell too. About 4,000 more people left than arrived in 2025. About 9% of homes are abandoned, well above the national 5.9%.
Flat land, softening condos
On the government's fixed benchmark sites, residential land has not changed in five years and commercial land has fallen slightly. Condo price growth has slowed to almost zero, and Morioka's condo prices per m² are below where they were five years ago. Iwate's condos have fallen from about 60% of the national average per m² to about 40% over the decade, because big cities pulled ahead.
Thin data, big swings
Iwate has only about 100 condo sales a year, so single-year figures jump around. The 2026 figure so far is well above 2025, but it is based on just 37 sales and should be treated with caution.
High yields, higher risk
A median condo costs about 22 years of the local median rent, much lower than the national 38 years. That points to higher rental yields, but in a shrinking market the risk is vacancy and resale.
Risks
Iwate has unusually varied hazards: 11% of benchmark sites are in tsunami zones on the Sanriku coast, 5% in landslide warning areas (double the national rate), and 13.5% face worst-case flooding of 3 m or deeper along the Kitakami River. Earthquake risk is relatively low, at about a 12% chance of 6-lower shaking in 30 years.
Living in Iwate: people, homes and risks
- Population 2025
- 1,125,502
- -7.0% since 2020
- Japan: -2.5%
- Net moves in 2025
- -3,967
- -3.52 per 1,000 residents
- Vacant homes (2023)
- 17.3%
- 9.3% empty and not for rent or sale
- Japan: 13.8%
- Median rent (2023)
- ¥46k
- per month, all rented homes
- Japan: ¥57k
- Strong earthquake risk
- 12.3%
- chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or more within 30 years
- Japan: 38.4%
- Average income per taxpayer
- ¥3.1M
- taxable income in 2023
- Japan: ¥3.9M
- Foreign residents
- 1.0%
- 11,163 registered residents in 2024
- Japan: 3.0%
- Clinics
- 7.9
- per 10,000 residents; 92 hospitals, 571 dental clinics (2020)
- Japan: 8.5
- Official land price 2026
- ¥30k/m²
- +0.3% in a year · +1.9% in 5 years
- Japan: ¥74k/m²
- Flood exposure
- 38.2%
- of 178 benchmark sites in a worst-case flood zone (13.5% 3 m or deeper)
- Japan: 42.6%
- Tsunami exposure
- 10.7%
- of 178 benchmark sites in a tsunami inundation zone
- Japan: 7.8%
- Landslide exposure
- 5.1%
- of 178 benchmark sites in a landslide warning area
- Japan: 2.6%
Check flood, landslide and tsunami zones for a specific address on the government hazard map ↗
Sources: 2025 Census (preliminary), 2025 Internal Migration Report, 2023 Housing and Land Survey (Statistics Bureau of Japan); J-SHIS seismic hazard model (NIED, 2024); Land Price Publication (MLIT); recorded crime: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (Tokyo only); incomes: Ministry of Internal Affairs taxation survey via the Statistics Bureau's municipal indicators; foreign residents: Basic Resident Register; medical facilities and station passengers: MLIT National Land Numerical Information. Earthquake probability is measured at the municipal center.
Example sales in Iwate
Real transactions from the last four quarters, picked near the lower (20th percentile), middle and upper (80th percentile) price points. Locations are shown at district level, as published by MLIT.
Condo
¥3.0M
¥75k/m²
- Tsunagi, Morioka City
- Koiwai
- 1K · 40 m²
- Built 1987 (39 yrs) · SRC
¥11.0M
¥244k/m²
- Wakasonocho, Morioka City
- Morioka
- 2DK · 45 m²
- Built 1989 (37 yrs)
¥29.0M
¥483k/m²
- Sakanacho, Morioka City
- Morioka · 24 min walk
- 2LDK · 60 m²
- Built 2013 (13 yrs) · RC
House
¥3.5M
¥21k/m²
- Mizusawatainichidoori, Oshu City
- Mizusawa · 14 min walk
- Land 500 m² · floor 170 m²
- Built 1972 (54 yrs) · Wood
¥13.0M
¥186k/m²
- Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi Town, Nishiiwai County
- Hiraizumi · 20 min walk
- Land 370 m² · floor 70 m²
- Built 2008 (18 yrs) · Wood
¥28.0M
¥373k/m²
- Kintaichi, Ninohe City
- Kintaichi Onsen · 7 min walk
- Land 230 m² · floor 75 m²
- Built 2026 (0 yrs)
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥8.7M | ¥12.0M |
| 2008 | ¥11.5M | ¥11.0M |
| 2009 | ¥8.4M | ¥11.0M |
| 2010 | ¥6.4M | ¥10.0M |
| 2011 | ¥8.9M | ¥10.0M |
| 2012 | ¥8.9M | ¥13.0M |
| 2013 | ¥10.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2014 | ¥11.0M | ¥12.0M |
| 2015 | ¥8.9M | ¥12.0M |
| 2016 | ¥11.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2017 | ¥13.0M | ¥12.0M |
| 2018 | ¥14.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2019 | ¥12.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2020 | ¥9.9M | ¥16.0M |
| 2021 | ¥12.0M | ¥15.0M |
| 2022 | ¥12.5M | ¥14.0M |
| 2023 | ¥11.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2024 | ¥17.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2025 | ¥12.0M | ¥12.0M |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥17.0M | ¥14.0M |
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House | Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥169k/m² | ¥94k/m² | ¥25k/m² |
| 2008 | ¥191k/m² | ¥81k/m² | ¥21k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥147k/m² | ¥82k/m² | ¥20k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥120k/m² | ¥77k/m² | ¥23k/m² |
| 2011 | ¥146k/m² | ¥80k/m² | ¥23k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥136k/m² | ¥87k/m² | ¥20k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥200k/m² | ¥88k/m² | ¥22k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥211k/m² | ¥89k/m² | ¥18k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥182k/m² | ¥84k/m² | ¥18k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥218k/m² | ¥94k/m² | ¥19k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥214k/m² | ¥90k/m² | ¥19k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥228k/m² | ¥92k/m² | ¥20k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥200k/m² | ¥98k/m² | ¥19k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥238k/m² | ¥110k/m² | ¥19k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥200k/m² | ¥109k/m² | ¥21k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥200k/m² | ¥100k/m² | ¥19k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥196k/m² | ¥88k/m² | ¥20k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥262k/m² | ¥92k/m² | ¥23k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥185k/m² | ¥83k/m² | ¥21k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥244k/m² | ¥85k/m² | ¥25k/m² |
Show data table
| Building age (years) | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | – | ¥284k/m² |
| 1 | – | ¥253k/m² |
| 2 | – | ¥333k/m² |
| 3 | – | ¥271k/m² |
| 4 | – | ¥211k/m² |
| 5 | – | ¥217k/m² |
| 6 | – | ¥226k/m² |
| 7 | – | ¥236k/m² |
| 8 | ¥406k/m² | ¥227k/m² |
| 9 | – | ¥187k/m² |
| 10 | – | ¥203k/m² |
| 11 | – | ¥182k/m² |
| 12 | – | ¥148k/m² |
| 13 | – | ¥186k/m² |
| 14 | ¥365k/m² | ¥183k/m² |
| 15 | ¥343k/m² | ¥144k/m² |
| 16 | ¥360k/m² | ¥162k/m² |
| 17 | ¥330k/m² | ¥134k/m² |
| 18 | ¥333k/m² | ¥124k/m² |
| 19 | ¥329k/m² | ¥115k/m² |
| 20 | ¥315k/m² | ¥120k/m² |
| 21 | – | ¥113k/m² |
| 22 | – | ¥106k/m² |
| 23 | – | ¥90k/m² |
| 24 | – | ¥88k/m² |
| 25 | – | ¥69k/m² |
| 26 | – | ¥88k/m² |
| 27 | ¥257k/m² | ¥94k/m² |
| 28 | – | ¥79k/m² |
| 29 | – | ¥86k/m² |
| 30 | ¥180k/m² | ¥85k/m² |
| 31 | ¥135k/m² | ¥92k/m² |
| 32 | ¥165k/m² | ¥81k/m² |
| 33 | ¥143k/m² | ¥70k/m² |
| 34 | ¥100k/m² | ¥80k/m² |
| 35 | ¥115k/m² | ¥84k/m² |
| 36 | ¥180k/m² | ¥64k/m² |
| 37 | ¥112k/m² | ¥67k/m² |
| 38 | ¥164k/m² | ¥56k/m² |
| 39 | ¥150k/m² | ¥48k/m² |
| 40 | ¥157k/m² | ¥51k/m² |
| 41 | ¥118k/m² | ¥55k/m² |
| 42 | – | ¥54k/m² |
| 43 | – | ¥48k/m² |
| 44 | – | ¥55k/m² |
| 45 | – | ¥50k/m² |
| 46 | – | ¥49k/m² |
| 47 | – | ¥35k/m² |
| 48 | – | ¥41k/m² |
| 49 | – | ¥29k/m² |
| 50 | ¥40k/m² | ¥33k/m² |
Each line follows buildings from one construction period over time. 1981 is when Japan's current earthquake-resistance standard (shin-taishin) took effect.
Show data table
| Year | 1981-2000 | 2001-2010 |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥160k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥154k/m² | ¥343k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥130k/m² | ¥300k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥116k/m² | – |
| 2011 | ¥152k/m² | – |
| 2012 | ¥125k/m² | – |
| 2013 | ¥157k/m² | ¥272k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥165k/m² | ¥287k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥155k/m² | – |
| 2016 | ¥160k/m² | ¥304k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥163k/m² | ¥306k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥168k/m² | ¥326k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥162k/m² | ¥307k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥164k/m² | – |
| 2021 | ¥162k/m² | ¥341k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥168k/m² | ¥348k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥122k/m² | ¥348k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥155k/m² | ¥315k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥157k/m² | ¥354k/m² |
Each line follows buildings from one construction period over time. 1981 is when Japan's current earthquake-resistance standard (shin-taishin) took effect.
Show data table
| Year | 1971-1980 | 1981-2000 | 2001-2010 | 2011-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥64k/m² | ¥97k/m² | ¥230k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥59k/m² | ¥79k/m² | ¥218k/m² | – |
| 2009 | ¥52k/m² | ¥78k/m² | ¥221k/m² | – |
| 2010 | ¥56k/m² | ¥75k/m² | ¥200k/m² | – |
| 2011 | ¥59k/m² | ¥80k/m² | ¥189k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥53k/m² | ¥80k/m² | ¥145k/m² | ¥223k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥58k/m² | ¥85k/m² | ¥136k/m² | ¥224k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥58k/m² | ¥86k/m² | ¥113k/m² | ¥228k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥56k/m² | ¥77k/m² | ¥132k/m² | ¥226k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥61k/m² | ¥81k/m² | ¥152k/m² | ¥229k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥50k/m² | ¥82k/m² | ¥117k/m² | ¥244k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥50k/m² | ¥83k/m² | ¥138k/m² | ¥241k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥44k/m² | ¥78k/m² | ¥148k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥45k/m² | ¥75k/m² | ¥144k/m² | ¥244k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥40k/m² | ¥80k/m² | ¥114k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥51k/m² | ¥81k/m² | ¥139k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥43k/m² | ¥70k/m² | ¥137k/m² | ¥204k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥41k/m² | ¥73k/m² | ¥123k/m² | ¥212k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥38k/m² | ¥63k/m² | ¥114k/m² | ¥203k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥41k/m² | ¥65k/m² | ¥133k/m² | ¥210k/m² |
Prices by area in Iwate
Median prices for 2025. Sorted by condo price per m² (or house price per m² where there are few condo sales).
| Area | Condo price per m² | Median used condo price | Median house price (land + building) | Residential land per m² (sales) | Condo 5-yr change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morioka City | ¥181k/m² | ¥11.5M | ¥21.0M | ¥60k/m² | -23.6% |
| Yahaba Town, Shiwa County | – | – | ¥28.0M | ¥57k/m² | – |
| Shiwa Town, Shiwa County | – | – | ¥15.5M | ¥28k/m² | – |
| Takizawa City | – | – | ¥15.0M | ¥20k/m² | – |
| Kitakami City | – | – | ¥12.0M | ¥29k/m² | – |
| Ichinoseki City | – | – | ¥11.0M | ¥14k/m² | – |
| Miyako City | – | – | ¥5.5M | – | – |
| Hanamaki City | – | – | ¥9.1M | ¥14k/m² | – |
| Oshu City | – | – | ¥7.3M | ¥14k/m² | – |
| Kuji City | – | – | – | ¥11k/m² | – |
Prices near train stations in Iwate
Sales from 2023–2025, grouped by nearest station.
| Station | Median used condo price | Condo price per m² | Median house price (land + building) | Walk (min) | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morioka (盛岡) | ¥13.0M | ¥219k/m² | ¥17.0M | 19 | 661 |
| Mizusawa (水沢) | – | – | ¥8.0M | 18 | 251 |
| Hanamaki (花巻) | – | – | ¥11.0M | 16 | 191 |
| Iwate Iioka (岩手飯岡) | – | – | ¥24.0M | 19 | 155 |
| Ichinoseki (一ノ関) | – | – | ¥20.0M | 18 | 153 |
| Kitakami (北上) | – | – | ¥20.0M | 19 | 148 |
| Aoyama(Iwate) (青山(岩手)) | – | – | ¥14.0M | 18 | 131 |
| Sembokucho (仙北町) | ¥20.0M | ¥286k/m² | ¥33.5M | 21 | 127 |
| Yahaba (矢幅) | – | – | ¥26.5M | 19 | 70 |
| Kuriyagawa (厨川) | – | – | ¥21.0M | 18 | 63 |
| Kuji(Iwate) (久慈) | – | – | ¥7.0M | 14 | 57 |
| Tono (遠野) | – | – | ¥9.0M | 11 | 47 |
| Sugo (巣子) | – | – | ¥13.5M | 18 | 46 |
| Murasakino (村崎野) | – | – | ¥16.0M | 13 | 35 |
| Obuke (大更) | – | – | ¥4.5M | 15 | 33 |
Used condo prices by layout in Iwate
Sales from 2023–2025.
| Layout | Median used condo price | Typical size | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3LDK | ¥23.0M | 70 m² | 100 |
| 1K | ¥2.4M | 20 m² | 54 |
| 2LDK | ¥15.0M | 55 m² | 53 |
| 2DK | ¥6.0M | 45 m² | 19 |
| 4LDK | ¥28.0M | 85 m² | 19 |
| 1DK | ¥3.4M | 30 m² | 15 |
| 1LDK | ¥9.0M | 45 m² | 11 |
How much does an apartment cost in Iwate?
The median used condo (mansion) in Iwate sold for ¥12.0M in 2025, about ¥185k/m², based on 111 recorded sales.
How much does a house cost in Iwate?
The median house sale, including the land, was ¥12.0M in 2025 across 868 sales.
Are property prices in Iwate going up?
Over the five years to 2025, condo prices per m² changed -22.3% and residential land prices changed +10.5%.
About this data
Figures are medians of real transactions reported to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) through its quarterly price survey. House prices per m² divide the total price (land and building) by the floor area. Medians based on fewer than 20 sales are not shown. The latest quarters are preliminary and are revised as more survey responses arrive.
Information only, not investment advice.