Saitama vs Hiroshima
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Saitama leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Hiroshima where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Hiroshima's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Saitama | Hiroshima |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 56 | 57 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 44 |
| Climate | 83 | 83 |
| Safety | 46 | 49 |
| Summer °C | 27.0 | 26.7 |
| Winter °C | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Top disaster risk | storms (hurricane/cyclone) | storms (hurricane/cyclone) |
Saitama vs Hiroshima: the short answer
Hiroshima comes out ahead on overall livability (57/100), only marginally above Saitama (56/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Hiroshima is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Saitama 44 vs Hiroshima 44, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Saitama runs warmer in summer (about 27.0°C peak vs 26.7°C in Hiroshima), while winter lows sit near 5.0°C in Saitama and 4.5°C in Hiroshima. On natural-disaster exposure Hiroshima is the safer choice (safety 49/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Saitama and storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Hiroshima.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Hiroshima — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Saitama — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Hiroshima — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Hiroshima — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Saitama or Hiroshima better to live in?
Hiroshima scores higher overall — 57 vs 56 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Saitama or Hiroshima?
Hiroshima has the lower cost of living (cost index 44 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Saitama or Hiroshima?
Saitama — summer highs reach about 27.0°C versus 26.7°C in Hiroshima.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Saitama or Hiroshima?
Hiroshima (disaster-safety 49/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Saitama, storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Hiroshima.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Saitama?
storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Saitama on our risk index.
How is the Saitama vs Hiroshima comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.