Reviewed by the XROSS HOUSE team — a Tokyo-based operator of share houses and furnished apartments across 10 prefectures in Japan, with more than 50,000 residents housed to date.
- Yokohama rent averages ¥79,902, about ¥19,700 below Tokyo's 23 wards.
- Rents vary by ward, from ¥66,977 in Kanazawa to ¥101,909 in Tsuzuki.
- Tokyu Toyoko Line towns give direct trains toward Shibuya.
- Furnished apartments start from 1 month, with a ¥30,000 registration fee.
Yokohama at a glance: a big port city next to Tokyo
Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and one of the largest cities in Japan. It is made up of 18 wards, from the waterfront business district around Minatomirai to quiet hillside suburbs.
The city sits directly south of Tokyo and Kawasaki. Many residents work in Yokohama itself, while others ride the Tokyu Toyoko Line, the Keikyu Main Line or JR lines into Shibuya, Shinagawa and central Tokyo. That mix is why Yokohama suits both people posted to a Yokohama office and people who want a calmer home base than inner Tokyo.
When you search for apartments in Yokohama, it helps to search by ward and train line. The city is large, and two stations in the same ward can feel very different.
If you are still choosing between cities, our guide to apartments for rent in Tokyo gives the other side of the comparison.
How much does an apartment in Yokohama cost?
The Statistics Bureau of Japan publishes average rents for each municipality in its Housing and Land Survey. In the 2023 results for private rented housing, Yokohama is lower than both Tokyo's 23 wards and neighboring Kawasaki.
| Area | Average monthly rent (private rented housing) |
|---|---|
| Yokohama city | ¥79,902 |
| Kanagawa Prefecture | ¥75,720 |
| Kawasaki city | ¥82,646 |
| Tokyo 23 wards | ¥99,618 |
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2023 Housing and Land Survey (e-Stat) (as of November 2026)
The same survey breaks Yokohama down by ward. Eleven of the city's wards are shown below, listed from the lowest average to the highest.
| Ward | Average monthly rent (private rented housing) |
|---|---|
| Kanazawa ward | ¥66,977 |
| Hodogaya ward | ¥68,922 |
| Minami ward | ¥69,037 |
| Kanagawa ward | ¥76,185 |
| Tsurumi ward | ¥76,226 |
| Totsuka ward | ¥77,061 |
| Nishi ward (Yokohama Station) | ¥84,699 |
| Kohoku ward | ¥85,022 |
| Aoba ward | ¥91,803 |
| Naka ward (Minatomirai, Kannai) | ¥92,679 |
| Tsuzuki ward | ¥101,909 |
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2023 Housing and Land Survey (e-Stat) (as of November 2026)
These averages cover every size of private rented home, including family-sized flats. A studio or one-room apartment usually costs less than the ward figure, and a large family home costs more. That is why a ward average can look high when family homes are common. Use the numbers as a ward-level guide, then compare individual listings.
For a wider view, see our guides to the average rent in Tokyo and the cost of living in Japan.
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Yokohama neighborhoods compared
This table covers the areas foreign residents most often ask about, with the main lines at each.
| Area | What it is like | Main lines |
|---|---|---|
| Yokohama Station (Nishi ward) | The city's main hub, with large shopping areas and many lines in one place. Convenient if you travel often | JR, Tokyu Toyoko, Keikyu, Sotetsu, Minatomirai Line, Blue Line |
| Minatomirai, Kannai (Naka ward) | Waterfront offices and parks, with Chinatown and Yamashita Park nearby. A good fit if you work in the city center | Minatomirai Line, JR Negishi Line, Blue Line |
| Kikuna, Okurayama, Myorenji, Hiyoshi, Shin-Yokohama (Kohoku ward) | Residential towns with local shopping streets. Shin-Yokohama has the Shinkansen, which helps if you travel to Osaka or Nagoya | Tokyu Toyoko Line (toward Shibuya), JR Yokohama Line at Kikuna, Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line |
| Hakuraku, Higashi-Kanagawa, Shin-Koyasu (Kanagawa ward) | Quiet residential streets close to Yokohama Station | Tokyu Toyoko, JR, Keikyu |
| Kagetsu-sojiji, Namamugi, Tsurumi (Tsurumi ward) | Everyday neighborhoods on the Tokyo side of the city, handy for Kawasaki and Shinagawa | Keikyu Main Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line |
| Aobadai, Ichigao (Aoba ward) | Green residential areas with parks and shopping near the stations | Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line (toward Shibuya) |
For more on how each part of the city feels day to day, see our guide to safety by area in Yokohama city, and our look at the most livable cities in Kanagawa.
A practical way to choose: start from your workplace or school, pick two or three stations on a direct line, then visit each in the evening and on a weekend.
Living in Yokohama and commuting to Tokyo
Yokohama works well for people who commute. The Tokyu Toyoko Line runs from Yokohama Station through Kohoku ward and on to Shibuya, with direct trains to Shibuya. The Keikyu Main Line connects Yokohama with Shinagawa, and JR lines run toward Kawasaki and central Tokyo.
Living along one of these lines means one train covers most of the trip. Check the first and last trains for your line, since services differ by station and by time of day.
Daily life inside Yokohama is easy too. Large stations have supermarkets and department stores, and quieter neighborhoods have local shopping streets. Waterfront walks, parks and Chinatown are close to Minatomirai and Kannai.
XROSS HOUSE has furnished apartments in Yokohama, including areas along the Tokyu Toyoko Line and the Keikyu Main Line. If you would rather live in Tokyo itself, compare the two in our guide to Tokyo apartments.
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What you pay to move in: typical rental vs XROSS HOUSE
Move-in costs are often the biggest surprise for newcomers. In a typical Japanese rental, deposit and key money are often said to be around one month's rent each, plus an agency fee. Add furniture and appliances, and the first month can be expensive before you start living there.
XROSS HOUSE furnished apartments work differently. The only one-time fee XROSS HOUSE charges at move-in is the registration fee: ¥30,000 for furnished apartments during the current campaign (normally ¥50,000). There is no deposit and no agency fee.
| Item | Typical Japanese rental | XROSS HOUSE furnished apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit, key money, agency fee (one-time) | Deposit and key money around 1 month's rent each + agency fee | Registration fee only: ¥30,000 (campaign; normally ¥50,000) |
| Furniture and appliances | Usually you buy your own | Included |
| Common-area / management fee | Often charged on top of rent | None |
| Monthly extra | Varies by building | Anshin support fee: ¥1,500 (tax incl.) |
| Rent | Varies by listing | Varies by property; the current rent is shown on each property page and in your quote |
For individual contracts, rent guarantee company fees are charged separately. The first month's (prorated) rent is paid before move-in.
Guarantor and guarantee company
- No personal joint guarantor is needed.
- Individual contracts generally require joining a rent guarantee company. An initial guarantee fee and a monthly guarantee fee are charged separately. The amount is confirmed at application screening.
- If you pay everything from the registration fee to the move-out costs in full at move-in, you do not need to join a guarantee company, so no guarantee fees apply.
Moving out
You can move out with one month's notice. Some campaigns have a minimum stay condition, so check it in your quote. Furnished apartments have a fixed move-out fee of ¥55,000 (tax incl.), charged at every move-out. Because the amount is set in advance, you can include it in your budget from day one. If you want to change homes within XROSS HOUSE, the transfer fee is free (guarantee company re-screening may apply).
Ask for a written estimate so you can see the total for your stay before you sign.
Furnished vs unfurnished: what changes for a Yokohama move
A furnished apartment comes with the basics already in the room: typically a TV, bed, refrigerator, storage, desk and chair, air conditioner, curtains, microwave and washing machine. Equipment varies by property, so check the property page for the exact list.
That helps if you are moving between Tokyo and Kanagawa for a job or a course. You skip buying furniture, arranging delivery and disposing of it later, and you can arrive with a suitcase.
- Minimum stay: from 1 month, so it works for a trial period or a long stay.
- Online process: contract and viewing can be done online from abroad.
- Fast move-in: you can move in as early as 7 days after application.
- Support in your language: staff support in English, Chinese, Korean and more.
Utilities
Residents of furnished apartments set up electricity, gas and water themselves. A free utility setup service through a partner is available, and so is an all-in utilities plan at ¥15,000 a month (tax incl.), contracted in XROSS HOUSE's name. Ask the team which option fits your stay.
You can browse current furnished apartments on our furnished apartment list. If you prefer a shared home with your own room, see our guide to share houses in Yokohama.
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Only furnished properties with appliances are listed!
How to rent an apartment in Yokohama as a foreigner
- Choose your area. Pick two or three stations on a direct line to your workplace or school, using the table above.
- Set your budget. Use the city average of ¥79,902 and your ward's figure as a reference for all sizes. A smaller unit usually costs less.
- Prepare documents. Usually a passport, a photo and an emergency contact in your home country. XROSS HOUSE accepts any residence status or visa, including students, working holiday makers and tourists.
- Apply and screening. Screening is done as part of the application. The team confirms the guarantee company details and the final amount.
- Pay and sign. The registration fee, the first month's (prorated) rent and, for individual contracts, the guarantee fees are paid before move-in, and you sign online.
- Move in. You can move in as early as 7 days after application.
FAQ: Yokohama apartments
Is Yokohama cheaper than Tokyo?
On average, yes. The 2023 survey puts private rented housing in Yokohama at ¥79,902 a month, against ¥99,618 for Tokyo's 23 wards. Wards such as Kanazawa, Hodogaya and Minami are lower still, while Tsuzuki and Naka are higher. Compare listings near your station, since size and building age also matter.
Which areas of Yokohama are good for commuting to Tokyo?
Towns along the Tokyu Toyoko Line, such as Kikuna, Okurayama, Myorenji and Hiyoshi, have direct trains to Shibuya. Tsurumi and Namamugi on the Keikyu Main Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line suit trips toward Kawasaki and Shinagawa. Aobadai and Ichigao are on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, also toward Shibuya.
Can I live in Yokohama and work in Tokyo?
Yes. Many people do. Several lines connect Yokohama with central Tokyo, so pick a station on a direct line to your office and check the first and last trains. Trying a furnished apartment from 1 month is one way to test the commute before a longer stay.
What is the average rent for a studio in Yokohama?
The official ward averages cover every home size, including family flats, so a studio is usually lower than the figures above. Rent also depends on distance from the station and building age. Check current listings for the station you want, and ask for a written quote so you see the full cost.
Is Yokohama a good place for foreigners to live?
Yokohama is a port city with a long history of international residents, and large stations have supermarkets, hospitals and shops. Minatomirai and Kannai suit people who work in the city, while Kohoku and Aoba wards offer quieter residential streets. See our guide to the most livable cities in Kanagawa for more.
Can I rent a furnished apartment in Yokohama for one month?
Yes. XROSS HOUSE furnished apartments can be rented from 1 month, and you can sign the contract and take a viewing online from abroad. Check the current rent and any campaign conditions on the property page or in your quote.
Do I need a guarantor to rent a furnished apartment in Yokohama?
No personal joint guarantor is needed. Individual contracts generally require joining a rent guarantee company, which charges an initial guarantee fee and a monthly guarantee fee separately. If you pay everything from the registration fee to the move-out costs in full at move-in, you do not need to join a guarantee company. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Next step: get a quote for a furnished apartment
Yokohama gives you a range of ways to live, from the waterfront around Minatomirai to quiet residential towns on the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Pick the ward and station first, then compare the total cost.
Tell us your preferred area, move-in date and length of stay, and we will send a written quote.
