What is the ranking of cities in Chiba Prefecture where people want to live? Popularity and selection criteria
The "Ranking of Cities in Chiba Prefecture Where People Want to Live" is used by many people as an indicator of the most popular residential areas within Chiba Prefecture.
In recent years, there has been an increase in search demand for "Chiba Prefecture: the best place to live" and "Chiba Prefecture ranking popularity," making it a popular choice for those looking for a property or considering moving. The rankings are evaluated from multiple perspectives, including resident satisfaction, the attractiveness of the city, transportation convenience, public safety, and the child-rearing environment, and are characterized by their comprehensive numerical assessment of "livability."
Because it is conducted by a reliable survey company, it is extremely useful as a basis for deciding on a home.
Main research source and reliability of the rankings
The rankings of desirable cities to live in Chiba Prefecture are mainly provided by major real estate information services such as "iiheya.net," "LIFULL HOME'S," and "SUUMO." These surveys are conducted in the form of questionnaires targeting residents and those looking to live in the prefecture, and because the sample sizes are large, the data is highly reliable.
The rankings are also released regularly every year, making them extremely useful for understanding the latest trends. They are the starting point for many people when researching "City Information for Ideal Places to Live in Chiba Prefecture," and are an essential indicator when searching for properties or considering a place to live.
Factors used in the evaluation (convenience, public safety, education, natural environment, etc.)
The ranking of cities in Chiba Prefecture that people want to live in is based on several important evaluation criteria.
in particular,
- "Convenience of transportation (access to the city center and proximity to the station)"
- "Good public safety"
- "Childcare and Educational Environment"
- "Coexistence with nature"
- "Shopping facilities are extensive"
- The evaluation focuses on factors that are directly related to the actual livability of a city, such as the quality of medical and administrative services.
These factors are prioritized differently depending on generation and lifestyle, so cities that rank highly tend to offer well-balanced living environments and are popular with families, single people, and seniors alike.
2025 Chiba Prefecture Top 10 Places to Live
The latest 2025 edition of the "Top 10 Cities to Live in Chiba Prefecture" lists cities that received high marks from a variety of perspectives, including convenience, living environment, and child-rearing support. Funabashi City and Urayasu City in particular combine good access to the city center with convenience for daily life, and remain highly popular as relocation destinations.
Nagareyama City and Ichikawa City also made the list, thanks to their generous child-rearing support and peaceful living environments.
Here, we will explain how this ranking can be a great hint for those considering a new home in Chiba Prefecture when choosing an area.
No. 1 Funabashi City | The balance of convenience and lifestyle is appealing
Funabashi City is accessible by multiple train lines, including the JR Sobu Line and Keisei Main Line, making it an attractive location for commuting to work or school in Tokyo. It is also home to a wide range of large commercial facilities, restaurants, and public facilities, making it a highly convenient place to live, and is popular with a wide range of people, from single people to families.
It is also a steadily popular residential area, with relatively affordable rents. It remains the number one city in the 2025 ranking of places people want to live, and is an area that offers an excellent balance of convenience and livability.
No. 2 Urayasu City | A resort-like atmosphere and a great environment for raising children
Urayasu City is attractive for its resort-like streets, typified by Disney Resort, and its excellent access to the city center. The bay area is home to a wide range of open residential areas, allowing you to enjoy bayside living. Furthermore, the area is popular with families raising children, with a wide range of childcare and educational facilities.
The city is highly rated for its support systems and its good public safety, and is regarded as a city where people can live safely for a long time. It ranked second in the rankings and offers an ideal, well-balanced living environment.
No. 3 Nagareyama City | A popular area for families with children
Nagareyama City is known for its catchphrase, "If you're going to be a mother, choose Nagareyama City." It is a local government that puts a lot of effort into supporting child-rearing. If you use the Tsukuba Express, Akihabara is only about 30 minutes away, so it has good access to the city center. Redevelopment has brought large commercial facilities and medical facilities to the area around Nagareyama Otakanomori Station, and convenience is improving year by year.
The area has been developed to be a family-friendly place to live, and is characterized by a noticeable influx of young people moving in. It is a popular city that continues to rank highly in rankings.
4th place: Ichikawa City | Popular as an educational city
Ichikawa City is known as an educational city with a calm living environment despite being adjacent to central Tokyo. The city boasts many schools, libraries, and cultural facilities, making it an attractive place for its high level of education. Access to multiple railway lines, including the JR Sobu Line and Keisei Main Line, makes it convenient for commuting to work or school.
With its good public safety and comprehensive child-rearing support, the area is becoming increasingly popular, especially among families. It also boasts a rich natural environment, with relaxing areas scattered along the Edogawa River, including riverbanks and parks. It's a notable area that is expected to remain highly ranked in 2025.
5th place: Kashiwa City | Easy to live in with plenty of commercial facilities
Kashiwa City is an area in Chiba Prefecture with a rich selection of shopping malls and commercial facilities in front of the station, making it a highly convenient place to live. It is also a terminal station on the JR Joban Line and Tobu Urban Park Line, offering excellent access to the rest of Tokyo. Furthermore, redevelopment has improved the convenience of the area around the station, boosting its appeal as a residential area.
With a wide range of educational and medical facilities, Kashiwa is a livable city popular with people of all ages. Kashiwa, which combines urban functions with ease of living, continues to be an area that attracts attention.
No. 6 Matsudo City | Great value for money within Tokyo commuter distance
Matsudo City has an excellent transportation network, including the JR Joban Line, Shin-Keisei Line, and Hokuso Line, and is conveniently located within a 30-minute commute to central Tokyo. Relatively low rents and living costs make for a cost-effective lifestyle. The area is surrounded by nature, including parks and riverbanks, making for a peaceful living environment.
In recent years, the city has seen an increase in the influx of young families, and efforts are being made to support child-rearing. Matsudo City, which combines convenience and economy, is gaining attention as a city of choice for families working in Tokyo and single-person households.
No. 7: Narashino City | A sense of security in a quiet residential area
Narashino City is a peaceful town with quiet residential areas, popular with people seeking a tranquil lifestyle. It offers excellent transportation access, centered around Keisei Tsudanuma Station and JR Tsudanuma Station, making commuting to the city center a breeze. It also boasts a rich selection of large commercial facilities, parks, and educational institutions, providing a well-balanced living environment.
With good public safety and a vibrant local community, it is popular with a wide range of people, from families with children to the elderly. It is a safe area that will remain highly ranked in 2025.
No. 8 Chuo Ward, Chiba City | Convenience as the prefectural capital and progress in redevelopment
Chuo Ward, Chiba City, the prefectural capital of Chiba Prefecture, is a highly convenient area where government offices, commercial facilities, and transportation infrastructure are concentrated. JR Chiba Station and Keisei Chiba Station are centrally located, providing easy access to the city center via multiple train lines.
In recent years, redevelopment around the station has progressed, making the area more livable year by year. Residential areas are also expanding, and the area offers attractive urban functions that cater to a wide range of people, from single people to families. Chiba City Chuo Ward, which combines convenience and potential for growth, is an area that will continue to attract attention in the future.
9th place: Inzai City | Rapidly growing due to new town development
Inzai City is a city that was planned and developed as part of Chiba New Town, and is attractive for its spacious streets and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Access to the city center is easy via the Hokuso Line, and the city is also highly rated for its childcare support and comprehensive educational facilities.
Another advantage is that the facilities necessary for daily life, such as large shopping malls and parks rich in nature, are all compactly located. With many newly developed residential areas, the area is highly popular with young people and families, and is expected to develop further in the future.
No. 10 Sakura City | A city where history and nature coexist in harmony
Sakura City is a peaceful town where the history of a castle town and the natural environment coexist. Access to the JR Sobu Main Line and Keisei Main Line is available, and access to the city center is relatively good. The calm atmosphere, including Sakura Castle Park and the historic townscape, makes it especially popular with seniors and nature-oriented families.
Another reason for its popularity is that housing prices and rents are reasonable, making it easy to live a comfortable life. Sakura City, with its good balance of history and convenience, is the perfect city for those who want to live quietly.
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How to choose a city to live in and trends by age and household
When choosing a city to live in, the things people prioritize vary greatly depending on their age and lifestyle. For single people in their 20s to 30s, access to the city center, proximity to train stations, and an abundance of rental properties are important.
On the other hand, families with children tend to place importance on child-rearing support systems such as daycare centers, schools, public safety, and the natural environment. Furthermore, seniors value things like an abundance of medical facilities, a quiet environment, and convenient shopping. Choosing a "livable city" that suits your life stage is the key to living comfortably for a long time.
Here we will introduce how to choose a city to live in and trends by age group and household.
What are the most popular cities for single people in their 20s and 30s?
Single people in their 20s and 30s prefer cities with good access to the city center and convenient locations around train stations. Particularly popular are Funabashi and Ichikawa along the JR Sobu Line, and Nagareyama, which is on the Tsukuba Express.
These areas are convenient for commuting, and the appeal is that it is easy to balance work and private life. In addition, there are plenty of rental properties and the average rent is relatively reasonable, so they tend to be popular among people living alone for the first time. The fact that there are many restaurants and commercial facilities and it is easy to get around in daily life also supports their popularity among young people.
What are the characteristics of a city that is popular with families raising children?
The criteria for determining which cities families with children want to live in are the number of nurseries, elementary and junior high schools, the number of children on waiting lists, and the safety of the area. Cities such as Nagareyama, Urayasu, and Ichikawa have comprehensive child-rearing support systems and are highly popular as areas that combine nature with urban functions.
With many large parks and public facilities, you'll have no trouble finding a place to go on your days off. Local governments that focus on the educational environment and towns with active communities are also gaining attention as places where you can raise children with peace of mind.
Trends in cities where seniors want to live
Cities popular with seniors are those with a good selection of medical facilities, easy shopping, and barrier-free housing and facilities. Sakura City, Chiba City's Chuo Ward, and Narashino City are known for their peaceful living environments surrounded by nature, yet also for their easy access to hospitals and nursing care facilities, making them a safe place to live.
Another factor contributing to its popularity is the strong community ties and the wide range of senior activities and welfare services available. It is an ideal environment for those seeking a quiet and comfortable life.
Changes in cities people want to live in | Comparison with past rankings
The rankings of cities people want to live in change every year, reflecting the influence of lifestyles, social conditions, urban development, and other factors.
In the 2025 edition, suburban cities such as Nagareyama and Inzai continue to maintain their high rankings, indicating a strong preference for suburban areas among families. Meanwhile, popular areas such as Funabashi and Urayasu continue to enjoy stable support, with their high level of convenience remaining an unchanging attraction. Comparing with past rankings allows us to see how cities are growing and the needs of their residents are changing.
Here we will explain in detail and compare it with past rankings.
Comparison with 2024 | Trends in popular areas
Compared to 2024, there were no major changes in the 2025 rankings, but some cities saw changes in their rankings.
In particular, Inzai City and Chuo Ward in Chiba City rose in the rankings, and urban development and improvements in convenience were highly praised. On the other hand, cities that dropped slightly in the rankings may have been affected by traffic congestion and delays in redevelopment.
By looking at the trends in popular areas, it becomes clear how improvements in living environments are affecting the evaluation of cities as places people actually want to live.
What are the cities that have attracted attention since the coronavirus pandemic?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of remote work has brought new attention to "cities near the city where you can also enjoy nature."
Nagareyama City and Inzai City are emblematic of this trend, with an increasing number of people moving in due to their good balance of access to the city center and a good environment for raising children. There is growing interest in cities with spacious homes, parks, and well-developed natural environments, and this is reflected in the rankings.
With interest in infectious disease prevention measures and the establishment of telecommuting, this trend is likely to continue.
The impact of redevelopment and new station openings
Redevelopment and the opening of new stations are factors that have a major impact on the rankings of cities people want to live in. In areas such as Chuo Ward in Chiba City and Kashiwa City, redevelopment of the areas around stations has progressed, dramatically improving convenience and making them more popular. The opening of large shopping facilities and improvements to transportation infrastructure have also boosted the city's rankings.
Additionally, there are an increasing number of areas attracting new residents through redevelopment, such as the area around Nagareyama Otakanomori Station. Urban development and the attractiveness of a city are closely related, and this will likely influence future rankings.
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Things to check before moving to a desirable city in Chiba Prefecture
Even if an area is featured in a ranking of desirable places to live, it's essential to check the area beforehand when actually living there. Especially within Chiba Prefecture, rent, prices, transportation access, and convenience vary greatly depending on the city, town, or village. It's important to thoroughly understand factors that affect quality of life, such as average rent for properties near train stations, initial costs, daily shopping options, and commute times.
In addition, for families with children and seniors, the availability of educational and medical facilities is also an important criterion. Gathering information in advance is key to living comfortably in your ideal city.
In this chapter, we will tell you the points you should check before moving to Chiba Prefecture.
Average rent and initial costs
When choosing a city to live in, it is essential to check the average rent and initial costs. In Chiba Prefecture, rent is higher in areas closer to Tokyo, such as Funabashi City and Ichikawa City, and it is not uncommon to find properties costing over 80,000 yen per month.
On the other hand, in cities such as Matsudo, Sakura, and Inzai, you can rent a spacious apartment at a relatively reasonable rent. Initial costs also vary greatly depending on whether or not a security deposit and key money are required, so it's important to carefully compare the conditions of each property. When planning your moving budget, be sure to consider not only rent but also renewal fees and insurance premiums.
Transportation access for commuting to work or school
To make life in Chiba Prefecture comfortable, access to work and school is also an important consideration. Living along major lines such as the JR Sobu Line, Keiyo Line, or Tsukuba Express will ensure smooth access to central Tokyo and minimize lost time.
Funabashi, Kashiwa, and Nagareyama are particularly popular because they have convenient terminal stations for commuting within Tokyo and require fewer transfers. However, commute times tend to be longer in suburban areas, so it's a good idea to check the timetable and congestion situation beforehand.
Living environment and shopping convenience
The major factors that determine livability are the surrounding living environment and convenience for shopping. Whether or not large shopping malls, supermarkets, drugstores, etc. are within walking distance makes a big difference in the comfort of daily life. Chiba City's Chuo Ward, Kashiwa City, Urayasu City, etc. have a wide range of commercial facilities, so you will never have trouble shopping or eating out.
Additionally, the living environment, such as noise levels, safety, and streetlight brightness, are also important points to consider when evaluating an apartment. By checking the atmosphere of the area day and night during viewings and researching the surrounding area, you can make a decision you won't regret.
Summary | Tips for choosing the perfect city to live in
When choosing a city to live in in Chiba Prefecture, it's important to choose a city that suits your lifestyle and vision for the future, not just based on the ranking.
Priorities vary from person to person, such as convenience for commuting to work or school, rent, ease of shopping, public safety, and the environment for raising children. Single people in their 20s and 30s will likely want accessibility and value for money, families with children will want the educational and medical environment, and seniors will want a quiet and safe environment.
Use the rankings as a reference only, and make sure to choose a city that satisfies you by gathering information and visiting the area based on your own criteria of "livability."
