Chuo Ward (Osaka) Housing Market 2026: Population Up 15%, on Dry Ground
Data updated 2026-11-11 · Source: MLIT transaction price survey, 2005 Q3–2026 Q2 · Transactions in 2025: 807
In short
- 1Fast growth in the centre
Chuo Ward covers Osaka's old merchant districts, Shinsaibashi and the Osaka Castle area.
- 2Studios and offices
More than half of condo sales are studios, typically 20 m² at about ¥18M, many bought as rentals or holiday lets.
- 3High vacancy, good yields
Vacancy is about 18%, the third highest of Osaka's wards.
- 4Low natural risk
None of Chuo's benchmark sites are in a flood or tsunami zone: the ward sits on the Uemachi Plateau, the high ground running south from Osaka Castle.
The answers, compared
What does a home cost?
¥24.0M
median used condo · ¥850k/m²
1.5× the Osaka median
6 of 55 areas in Osaka, highest first
Are prices rising?
+30.8%
over 5 years
Slower than Osaka (+50.0%)
27 of 64 areas in Osaka, highest first
Can local earners afford it?
6.1× income
median price ÷ average taxable income
Harder than Osaka (5.6×)
14 of 68 areas in Osaka, highest first
Rent or buy?
28years of rent
median price ÷ a year of median rent
Shorter than Osaka (32)
37 of 64 areas in Osaka, highest first
Are people moving in?
+15.1%
population, 2020–25
Growing while Osaka shrinks (-0.8%)
2 of 68 areas in Osaka, highest first
How risky is it?
32%
chance of strong shaking (6-lower+) in 30 years
Lower than Osaka (43%)
40 of 68 areas in Osaka, highest first
Rent in Chuo Ward, Osaka City
The average private rental costs ¥77k a month (2023), -5.9% since 2018. Osaka: ¥64k
| Floor area | Typical layout | Average rent / month | Chuo Ward, Osaka CityOsaka |
|---|---|---|---|
| under 30 m² studio / 1K | studio / 1K | ¥58k vs 2018 -5.8% · Osaka: ¥50k | |
| 30–49 m² 1LDK / 2DK | 1LDK / 2DK | ¥82k vs 2018 +3.2% · Osaka: ¥65k | |
| 50–69 m² 2LDK / 3DK | 2LDK / 3DK | ¥119k vs 2018 +4.9% · Osaka: ¥80k | |
| 70–99 m² 3LDK / family | 3LDK / family | ¥127k vs 2018 -18.5% · Osaka: ¥89k | |
| 100–149 m² mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥127k vs 2018 +7.0% · Osaka: ¥82k |
- Rent per m²
- ¥2,393
- median, per month · Osaka: ¥1,794
- The median used condo (¥24.0M, 30 m²) costs about 24 years of average rent for a similar-sized home (¥82k 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. 39,310 rented homes.
Fast growth in the centre
Chuo Ward covers Osaka's old merchant districts, Shinsaibashi and the Osaka Castle area. Its population grew 15% between 2020 and 2025, second among Osaka City's 24 wards, and households grew 17%. But in 2025 more people moved out to the rest of Japan than moved in, so much of the growth comes from abroad and new condos.
Prices accelerating
Condos cost about ¥0.85M per m², 1.6 times the Osaka Prefecture average. Prices per m² rose about 5.7% a year over the past five years, faster than the five years before. The median condo sold for about ¥24M. Sales rose 14% in 2025. Land sold in transactions rose almost 80% in five years.
Studios and offices
More than half of condo sales are studios, typically 20 m² at about ¥18M, many bought as rentals or holiday lets. Hommachi and Sakaisuji-Hommachi are the priciest busy stations at about ¥0.87–0.95M per m²; Tanimachi 9-Chome and Tanimachi 6-Chome are cheaper.
High vacancy, good yields
Vacancy is about 18%, the third highest of Osaka's wards. Many small flats are empty or used as short-term rentals. A median condo costs about 28 years of median rent, better than the Osaka average.
Low natural risk
None of Chuo's benchmark sites are in a flood or tsunami zone: the ward sits on the Uemachi Plateau, the high ground running south from Osaka Castle. Earthquake probability is low for Osaka (about 32%). Three renewal areas, Umeda–Nakanoshima–Midosuji, the Osaka Castle Park business area and Namba–Minatomachi, reach into the ward.
Living in Chuo Ward, Osaka City: people, homes and risks
- Population 2025
- 119,350
- +15.1% since 2020
- Osaka: -0.8%
- Net moves in 2025
- -613
- -5.14 per 1,000 residents
- Osaka: +1.79
- Vacant homes (2023)
- 18.4%
- 1.9% empty and not for rent or sale
- Osaka: 14.2%
- Median rent (2023)
- ¥71k
- per month, all rented homes
- Osaka: ¥58k
- Strong earthquake risk
- 32.0%
- chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or more within 30 years
- Osaka: 43.3%
- Average income per taxpayer
- ¥3.9M
- taxable income in 2023, citywide figure
- Osaka: ¥3.9M
- Daytime population
- 433
- people here by day per 100 residents (2020 census)
- Foreign residents
- 10.4%
- 12,352 registered residents in 2024
- Osaka: 3.7%
- Clinics
- 32.3
- per 10,000 residents; 8 hospitals, 254 dental clinics (2020)
- Osaka: 9.8
- Official land price 2026
- ¥715k/m²
- +8.4% in a year · +32.6% in 5 years
- Osaka: ¥145k/m²
- Flood exposure
- 0.0%
- of 45 benchmark sites in a worst-case flood zone (0.0% 3 m or deeper)
- Osaka: 42.5%
- Landslide exposure
- 0.0%
- of 45 benchmark sites in a landslide warning area
- Osaka: 1.4%
Urban renewal zones
Areas designated by the national government for priority redevelopment, with relaxed planning rules and financial support for large projects.
- Osaka Castle Park area (OBP) · 121 ha · designated 2012
- Osaka Station (Umeda), Nakanoshima and Midosuji · 490 ha · designated 2002 · Specified zone (highest priority)
- Namba and Minatomachi · 36 ha · designated 2002
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 Chuo Ward, Osaka City
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
¥18.0M
¥900k/m²
- Tohei
- Tanimachi 6 Chome · 6 min walk
- 1K · 20 m²
- Built 2011 (15 yrs) · RC
¥24.0M
¥800k/m²
- Andojimachi
- Matsuyamachi · 2 min walk
- 1K · 30 m²
- Built 2011 (15 yrs) · RC
¥57.0M
¥1.1M/m²
- Uchiawajimachi
- Temmabashi · 11 min walk
- 2LDK · 50 m²
- Built 2023 (3 yrs) · RC
House
¥110M
¥667k/m²
- Tanimachi
- Tanimachi 6 Chome · 3 min walk
- Land 95 m² · floor 165 m²
- Built 1947 (78 yrs) · Wood
¥280M
¥2.4M/m²
- Higashishinsaibashi
- Nagahoribashi · 4 min walk
- Land 55 m² · floor 115 m²
- Built 2026 (0 yrs) · Wood
¥820M
¥745k/m²
- Bakuromachi
- Hommachi · 5 min walk
- Land 190 m² · floor 1100 m²
- Built 1986 (40 yrs) · SRC
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | ¥12.5M | ¥130M |
| 2006 | ¥17.5M | ¥150M |
| 2007 | ¥17.0M | ¥190M |
| 2008 | ¥17.5M | ¥170M |
| 2009 | ¥19.0M | ¥120M |
| 2010 | ¥14.0M | ¥88.0M |
| 2011 | ¥17.0M | ¥81.5M |
| 2012 | ¥13.5M | ¥85.0M |
| 2013 | ¥16.0M | ¥150M |
| 2014 | ¥18.0M | ¥135M |
| 2015 | ¥17.0M | ¥130M |
| 2016 | ¥18.0M | ¥160M |
| 2017 | ¥19.0M | ¥140M |
| 2018 | ¥18.0M | ¥165M |
| 2019 | ¥19.0M | ¥180M |
| 2020 | ¥19.0M | ¥170M |
| 2021 | ¥20.0M | ¥225M |
| 2022 | ¥21.0M | ¥190M |
| 2023 | ¥20.0M | ¥210M |
| 2024 | ¥23.0M | ¥270M |
| 2025 | ¥24.0M | ¥300M |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥24.5M | ¥190M |
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House | Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | ¥275k/m² | ¥264k/m² | ¥790k/m² |
| 2006 | ¥346k/m² | ¥367k/m² | ¥850k/m² |
| 2007 | ¥357k/m² | ¥397k/m² | ¥1.1M/m² |
| 2008 | ¥367k/m² | ¥339k/m² | ¥750k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥360k/m² | ¥247k/m² | ¥435k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥360k/m² | ¥247k/m² | ¥420k/m² |
| 2011 | ¥400k/m² | ¥242k/m² | ¥465k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥356k/m² | ¥272k/m² | ¥470k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥400k/m² | ¥224k/m² | – |
| 2014 | ¥540k/m² | ¥277k/m² | ¥510k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥520k/m² | ¥277k/m² | ¥650k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥550k/m² | ¥326k/m² | ¥700k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥580k/m² | ¥438k/m² | ¥830k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥600k/m² | ¥500k/m² | ¥1.1M/m² |
| 2019 | ¥600k/m² | ¥500k/m² | ¥915k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥650k/m² | ¥508k/m² | ¥840k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥686k/m² | ¥471k/m² | ¥890k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥733k/m² | ¥533k/m² | – |
| 2023 | ¥760k/m² | ¥600k/m² | ¥1.3M/m² |
| 2024 | ¥800k/m² | ¥701k/m² | ¥1.3M/m² |
| 2025 | ¥850k/m² | ¥740k/m² | ¥1.5M/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥900k/m² | ¥745k/m² | – |
Show data table
| Building age (years) | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ¥960k/m² | ¥833k/m² |
| 1 | ¥1.1M/m² | – |
| 2 | ¥1.1M/m² | – |
| 3 | ¥1.0M/m² | – |
| 4 | ¥967k/m² | – |
| 5 | ¥950k/m² | – |
| 6 | ¥920k/m² | – |
| 7 | ¥850k/m² | – |
| 8 | ¥867k/m² | – |
| 9 | ¥838k/m² | – |
| 10 | ¥840k/m² | – |
| 11 | ¥840k/m² | – |
| 12 | ¥829k/m² | – |
| 13 | ¥800k/m² | – |
| 14 | ¥750k/m² | – |
| 15 | ¥720k/m² | – |
| 16 | ¥733k/m² | – |
| 17 | ¥700k/m² | – |
| 18 | ¥700k/m² | – |
| 19 | ¥706k/m² | – |
| 20 | ¥688k/m² | – |
| 21 | ¥650k/m² | – |
| 22 | ¥648k/m² | – |
| 23 | ¥650k/m² | – |
| 24 | ¥643k/m² | – |
| 25 | ¥600k/m² | – |
| 26 | ¥600k/m² | – |
| 27 | ¥563k/m² | – |
| 31 | – | ¥426k/m² |
| 32 | – | ¥600k/m² |
| 33 | – | ¥574k/m² |
| 34 | ¥367k/m² | ¥495k/m² |
| 35 | ¥368k/m² | ¥510k/m² |
| 36 | ¥400k/m² | – |
| 37 | ¥394k/m² | – |
| 38 | ¥400k/m² | – |
| 39 | ¥444k/m² | – |
| 40 | ¥398k/m² | – |
| 41 | ¥382k/m² | – |
| 42 | ¥340k/m² | – |
| 43 | ¥398k/m² | – |
| 44 | ¥371k/m² | – |
| 45 | ¥420k/m² | – |
| 46 | ¥486k/m² | – |
| 47 | ¥403k/m² | – |
| 50 | ¥267k/m² | ¥658k/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | – | ¥278k/m² | ¥800k/m² | – |
| 2006 | ¥217k/m² | ¥250k/m² | ¥760k/m² | – |
| 2007 | ¥227k/m² | ¥273k/m² | ¥503k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥232k/m² | ¥271k/m² | ¥486k/m² | – |
| 2009 | – | ¥257k/m² | ¥563k/m² | – |
| 2010 | ¥200k/m² | ¥240k/m² | ¥467k/m² | – |
| 2011 | ¥213k/m² | ¥260k/m² | ¥455k/m² | ¥760k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥216k/m² | ¥250k/m² | ¥471k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥191k/m² | ¥259k/m² | ¥457k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥212k/m² | ¥300k/m² | ¥473k/m² | ¥840k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥233k/m² | ¥314k/m² | ¥527k/m² | ¥750k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥274k/m² | ¥345k/m² | ¥550k/m² | ¥772k/m² |
| 2017 | – | ¥400k/m² | ¥600k/m² | ¥760k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥299k/m² | ¥400k/m² | ¥600k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥324k/m² | ¥367k/m² | ¥600k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥300k/m² | ¥407k/m² | ¥640k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥365k/m² | ¥448k/m² | ¥667k/m² | ¥783k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥353k/m² | ¥429k/m² | ¥663k/m² | ¥844k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥365k/m² | ¥450k/m² | ¥700k/m² | ¥850k/m² |
| 2024 | – | ¥508k/m² | ¥733k/m² | ¥900k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥436k/m² | ¥538k/m² | ¥800k/m² | ¥950k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | – | ¥575k/m² | ¥821k/m² | ¥1.0M/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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | – | ¥205k/m² |
| 2006 | ¥260k/m² | ¥541k/m² |
| 2007 | – | ¥379k/m² |
| 2008 | – | ¥320k/m² |
| 2009 | – | ¥209k/m² |
| 2010 | – | ¥236k/m² |
| 2011 | – | ¥234k/m² |
| 2012 | – | ¥277k/m² |
| 2013 | – | ¥209k/m² |
| 2014 | – | ¥269k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥194k/m² | ¥289k/m² |
| 2016 | – | ¥333k/m² |
| 2017 | – | ¥385k/m² |
| 2018 | – | ¥290k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥373k/m² | ¥578k/m² |
| 2021 | – | ¥442k/m² |
| 2022 | – | ¥493k/m² |
| 2023 | – | ¥574k/m² |
| 2024 | – | ¥592k/m² |
| 2025 | – | ¥687k/m² |
Prices near train stations in Chuo Ward, Osaka City
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 | Daily passengers (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanimachi 4 Chome (谷町四丁目) | ¥23.0M | ¥800k/m² | ¥450M | 5 | 328 | 91,038-2% vs 2019 |
| Sakaisuji Hommachi (堺筋本町) | ¥23.0M | ¥867k/m² | ¥370M | 4 | 298 | 102,225-9% vs 2019 |
| Tanimachi 6 Chome (谷町六丁目) | ¥21.0M | ¥733k/m² | ¥94.5M | 3 | 264 | 30,138-9% vs 2019 |
| Matsuyamachi (松屋町) | ¥21.0M | ¥800k/m² | ¥89.0M | 2 | 247 | 8,983-11% vs 2019 |
| Kitahama(Osaka) (北浜(大阪)) | ¥28.0M | ¥850k/m² | ¥245M | 5 | 203 | 92,266-9% vs 2019 |
| Temmabashi (天満橋) | ¥21.0M | ¥780k/m² | ¥250M | 5 | 197 | 122,599-10% vs 2019 |
| Nagahoribashi (長堀橋) | ¥22.0M | ¥800k/m² | ¥545M | 3 | 181 | 50,126-4% vs 2019 |
| Hommachi (本町) | ¥31.0M | ¥950k/m² | ¥475M | 4 | 123 | 200,963-8% vs 2019 |
| Nippombashi(Osaka) (日本橋(大阪)) | ¥20.0M | ¥742k/m² | ¥160M | 5 | 109 | 69,828-11% vs 2019 |
| Tanimachi 9 Chome (谷町九丁目) | ¥26.5M | ¥707k/m² | – | 4 | 75 | 67,702-8% vs 2019 |
| Yodoyabashi (淀屋橋) | ¥61.5M | ¥1.0M/m² | – | 4 | 47 | 280,859-14% vs 2019 |
| Morinomiya (森ノ宮) | ¥40.0M | ¥808k/m² | ¥120M | 5 | 44 | 76,534-8% vs 2019 |
| Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) | ¥30.5M | ¥683k/m² | – | 4 | 39 | 137,523-11% vs 2019 |
| Tamatsukuri(OsakaMetro) (玉造(大阪メトロ)) | ¥49.0M | ¥740k/m² | – | 4 | 30 | 45,472-7% vs 2019 |
| Kintetsu Nippombashi (近鉄日本橋) | ¥19.0M | ¥800k/m² | – | 5 | 19 | 44,540-11% vs 2019 |
Used condo prices by layout in Chuo Ward, Osaka City
Sales from 2023–2025.
| Layout | Median used condo price | Typical size | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K | ¥18.0M | 20 m² | 795 |
| 2LDK | ¥50.0M | 60 m² | 276 |
| 3LDK | ¥53.0M | 70 m² | 218 |
| 1LDK | ¥32.0M | 40 m² | 193 |
| 1DK | ¥23.0M | 30 m² | 107 |
| Open floor | ¥16.0M | 45 m² | 51 |
| 2DK | ¥30.0M | 45 m² | 51 |
| 4LDK | ¥72.0M | 95 m² | 23 |
How much does an apartment cost in Chuo Ward, Osaka City?
The median used condo (mansion) in Chuo Ward, Osaka City sold for ¥24.0M in 2025, about ¥850k/m², based on 684 recorded sales.
How much does a house cost in Chuo Ward, Osaka City?
The median house sale, including the land, was ¥300M in 2025 across 99 sales.
Are property prices in Chuo Ward, Osaka City going up?
Over the five years to 2025, condo prices per m² changed +30.8% and residential land prices changed +78.6%.
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.