Fukuoka vs Ljubljana

Real cost of living, rent, internet, safety and visa terms for both cities, side by side — then open the interactive tool to weight them against your own priorities.

Fukuoka, Japan
🇯🇵Japan

Fukuoka

73Freedom Score#37Global rank$1,600Per month

Japan's most livable city — compact, green, and affordable by Japanese standards, with legendary ramen, a startup boom, and 90-day visa-free access.

Ljubljana, Slovenia
🇸🇮Slovenia

Ljubljana

76Freedom Score#30Global rank$2,180Per month

Slovenia's storybook capital — car-free centre, the Alps and Adriatic within reach, and the fastest average internet on this list.

The short answer

Compare these two in the full toolBoth cities pre-loaded — add your income and priorities to get a personal match score

Cost of living

Monthly figures for one person. Rent, meals and coworking are measured values, not shares of the total budget.

ExpenseFukuokaLjubljana
Comfortable budgetper month, all in$1,600$2,180
Rent, 1BR city centre$500$981
Meal, mid-range$10$12
Coworking deskper month$180$196
Cost of living indexlower is cheaper64.048.4

Quality of life

Scored 0–100 on the same attributes the match engine weights, so these agree with the interactive tool.

MeasureFukuokaLjubljana
Safety
85
78
Healthcare
90
80
Walkability
85
85
English spoken
42
80
Food & dining
90
75
Nightlife
65
60
Outdoors
58
82
Nomad community
58
50
Climate quality
60
76
Public transit
95
70

Scores, connectivity and paperwork

MeasureFukuokaLjubljana
Freedom Score73/10076/100
Global rankof 100 cities#37#30
Internet100 Mbps90 Mbps
Average temperature63°F52°F
Air quality30/10038/100
Airport connectivity78/10052/100
Nomad visa90 days free90-day+ stay
Headline tax rateon local income20%24%

Which should you choose?

Choose Fukuoka if runs $580/mo cheaper, rent is $481/mo lower, internet is faster at 100 Mbps and it scores higher on safety (85 vs 78).

Choose Ljubljana if English is more widely spoken and the climate scores better.

What each city is known for

Fukuoka

  • Most livable big city in Japan
  • Legendary Hakata ramen scene
  • 90-day visa-free for Western passports
  • Growing startup and coworking hub

Ljubljana

  • Fastest average internet of the new cities (~386 Mbps)
  • Car-free green city centre — exceptionally walkable & safe
  • Alps and Adriatic coast both under two hours away
  • Safe, clean, and central to the rest of Europe

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for digital nomads: Fukuoka or Ljubljana?
Ljubljana scores higher on the Freedom Score (76/100 against 73/100), which makes it the stronger all-round base. That is an average, though — if cost, climate or community is what actually decides it for you, the tables above will point the other way as often as not.
Which is cheaper: Fukuoka or Ljubljana?
Fukuoka is cheaper. A comfortable monthly budget is $1,600 against $2,180, a difference of $580 a month or about $6,960 a year. Rent is the biggest single line: $500/mo in Fukuoka versus $981/mo in Ljubljana.
Which is safer: Fukuoka or Ljubljana?
Fukuoka scores higher on safety, 85/100 against 78/100. Safety scores blend crime levels, political stability and healthcare access, and they describe a city as a whole — individual neighbourhoods vary far more than the headline number suggests.
How fast is the internet in Fukuoka and Ljubljana?
Fukuoka averages 100 Mbps and Ljubljana averages 90 Mbps, so Fukuoka has the headroom if you push large files or run video calls all day.
What visa would I need for Fukuoka or Ljubljana?
Fukuoka sits in Japan (90 days free) and Ljubljana in Slovenia (90-day+ stay). Requirements, income floors and processing times change often, so check the visa and residency guide before you commit to either.
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