In May, the average asking rent for rental apartments in Tokyo’s 23 wards for single occupants (with a floor area of 30 square meters or less) reached a new milestone. Rising by 0.7% from the previous month, the average rent hit ¥100,634, surpassing ¥100,000 for the first time. This surge is fueled by strong demand coupled with a shrinking supply of available rental properties, creating conditions that allow landlords to increase prices with ease. Compared to the same month last year, rents have climbed by 8.4%, marking the 12th consecutive month of record-high prices. This data was released on the 24th by At Home Co., Ltd., a real estate information service based in Ota, Tokyo.
The rising costs reflect the competitive nature of Tokyo’s rental market, particularly for compact apartments suited to single residents. With 16 of the 23 wards setting new rental price records, the trend underscores the city’s ongoing housing demand, especially in central and sought-after neighborhoods.
Detailed Breakdown of Rental Prices by Ward
Below is a table detailing the average rental prices for single-occupant apartments (30 square meters or less) across Tokyo’s 23 wards in May. The data, sourced from At Home Co., Ltd., includes each ward’s rank, average rent in yen, and the percentage increase compared to the same month last year. Notably, 16 wards have achieved record-high rents, highlighting the widespread nature of this upward trend.
| Rank | Ward | Rent (Yen) | Increase Rate (%) |
| 1 | Chuo Ward | 131,020 | 12.2% |
| 2 | Minato Ward | 130,509 | 9.1% |
| 3 | Shibuya Ward | 128,369 | 6.1% |
| 4 | Setagaya Ward | 114,363 | 8.6% |
| 5 | Shinagawa Ward | 113,016 | 8.0% |
| 6 | Shinjuku Ward | 111,912 | 7.4% |
| 7 | Koto Ward | 111,031 | 8.2% |
| 8 | Toshima Ward | 108,033 | 8.0% |
| 9 | Ota Ward | 106,451 | 8.1% |
| 10 | Bunkyo Ward | 104,967 | 9.6% |
| 11 | Meguro Ward | 104,599 | 3.0% |
| 12 | Taito Ward | 101,989 | 7.6% |
| 13 | Nakano Ward | 95,704 | 9.5% |
| 14 | Suginami Ward | 92,149 | 8.1% |
| 15 | Itabashi Ward | 92,130 | 7.7% |
| 16 | Katsushika Ward | 91,784 | 14.2% |
| 17 | Kita Ward | 91,784 | 6.3% |
| 18 | Sumida Ward | 91,036 | 10.5% |
| 19 | Arakawa Ward | 85,291 | 7.1% |
| 20 | Adachi Ward | 82,218 | 10.3% |
| 21 | Nerima Ward | 82,428 | 5.2% |
| 22 | Edogawa Ward | 80,905 | 13.2% |
| 23 | Chiyoda Ward | 75,658 | 9.6% |
Source: At Home Co., Ltd. Average rental price data. The increase rate is compared to the same month last year.
Why Are Rental Prices Soaring in Tokyo?
The data paints a clear picture: Tokyo’s rental market is under pressure. High-demand wards like Chuo, Minato, and Shibuya lead the pack with rents exceeding ¥128,000, driven by their central locations and appeal to professionals and young singles. Meanwhile, wards like Katsushika and Edogawa show some of the steepest year-over-year increases—14.2% and 13.2%, respectively—suggesting that even outer areas are feeling the crunch as availability dwindles.
For anyone eyeing a move to Tokyo or investing in its real estate, these figures signal a market where demand continues to outpace supply. Whether you’re searching for a compact apartment in bustling Shinjuku or a more affordable spot in Adachi, understanding these trends can help you navigate the city’s evolving rental landscape.
