All 23 Tokyo Wards Compared
Safety, property prices, and population for every special ward in Tokyo — ranked and grouped using official government data. A single page to help you decide where to live.
Quick Picks
The Complete 23-Ward Comparison (2024)
All 23 special wards ranked by safety (crime rate per 1,000 residents). Property prices from MLIT REINFOLIB, population from 2020 Census.
| # | Ward | Crime Rate/1K | Grade | Total Crimes | Median Condo | Population | Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suginami杉並区 | 4.4 | A | 2,479 | ¥31.0M | 591,108 | 139 |
| 2 | Setagaya世田谷区 | 4.8 | A | 4,443 | ¥50.0M | 941,906 | 276 |
| 3 | Nerima練馬区 | 4.9 | A | 3,662 | ¥30.0M | 751,613 | 200 |
| 4 | Ota大田区 | 5.5 | B | 4,370 | ¥27.0M | 748,018 | 212 |
| 5 | Meguro目黒区 | 5.7 | B | 1,419 | ¥55.0M | 288,088 | 88 |
| 6 | Shinagawa品川区 | 5.8 | B | 2,240 | ¥40.0M | 422,488 | 127 |
| 7 | Itabashi板橋区 | 5.9 | B | 3,420 | ¥27.0M | 584,483 | 135 |
| 8 | Edogawa江戸川区 | 6 | B | 4,222 | ¥38.0M | 697,827 | 195 |
| 9 | Nakano中野区 | 6 | B | 2,094 | ¥37.0M | 344,880 | 85 |
| 10 | Arakawa荒川区 | 6.3 | B | 1,328 | ¥37.0M | 217,475 | 52 |
| 11 | Katsushika葛飾区 | 6.5 | B | 3,037 | ¥26.0M | 453,093 | 155 |
| 12 | Kita北区 | 6.5 | B | 2,276 | ¥32.0M | 355,213 | 114 |
| 13 | Adachi足立区 | 7 | B | 4,442 | ¥27.0M | 693,920 | 266 |
| 14 | Bunkyo文京区 | 7.2 | B | 1,194 | ¥43.0M | 240,069 | 68 |
| 15 | Koto江東区 | 9 | B | 3,332 | ¥42.0M | 523,743 | 152 |
| 16 | Sumida墨田区 | 11.2 | C | 2,089 | ¥31.0M | 272,085 | 104 |
| 17 | Minato港区 | 24.9 | D | 3,188 | ¥86.0M | 258,045 | 116 |
| 18 | Taito台東区 | 30.3 | D | 2,731 | ¥35.0M | 207,889 | 104 |
| 19 | Toshima豊島区 | 30.9 | D | 3,730 | ¥32.0M | 301,599 | 84 |
| 20 | Chuo中央区 | 32.8 | D | 1,979 | ¥66.0M | 169,179 | 98 |
| 21 | Shibuya渋谷区 | 38.3 | D | 3,849 | ¥55.0M | 238,567 | 79 |
| 22 | Chiyoda千代田区 | 51.1 | F | 2,532 | ¥49.0M | 62,936 | 113 |
| 23 | Shinjuku新宿区 | 77.2 | F | 6,025 | ¥39.0M | 348,164 | 148 |
Top 5 by Category
The same 23 wards sliced four ways. Each category highlights a different strength.
Most Affordable
Best Value (Price + Safety)
Wards by Area: Central, West & East
Tokyo's 23 wards naturally cluster into geographic zones with distinct character, pricing, and safety profiles.
Central Tokyo (5 wards)
The commercial and governmental core. Highest property prices, mixed safety due to commercial foot traffic. Best for professionals who want a short commute.
West Residential (6 wards)
Popular with families and long-term residents. Moderate prices, generally good safety. Well-connected by multiple train lines.
East & North Budget (6 wards)
The most affordable zone. Prices are 50-70% lower than central wards. Safety varies — some wards are among Tokyo's safest, others have higher rates due to commercial areas.
Other Wards (6 wards)
Wards that bridge the central and outer zones, each with its own distinct character.
Which Ward Should You Choose?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best ward to live in Tokyo?
- It depends on your priorities. For safety, Suginami ranks #1 with a crime rate of 4.4/1,000 residents. For affordability, Katsushika has the lowest median condo price. For overall value (combining price and safety), our Value Index ranks Suginami as #1.
- How many wards does Tokyo have?
- Tokyo has 23 special wards (特別区), which form the urban core. Beyond the 23 wards, the Tokyo Metropolis also includes 26 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages in the Tama and island areas. This guide covers the 23 special wards, where most expats and foreign investors focus.
- Which Tokyo ward is best for families?
- Wards with high safety grades and moderate prices tend to be best for families. Suginami and Setagaya offer the lowest crime rates, while wards like Setagaya and Suginami in western Tokyo combine residential character with good schools and parks. Our Value Index helps identify wards that balance multiple factors.
- What is the difference between a Tokyo ward and a city?
- Tokyo's 23 special wards (特別区) are self-governing units within the metropolitan core, similar to boroughs. Each has its own mayor and assembly. Unlike regular cities, some services (water, sewage) are managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Cities (市) in the Tama area are standard municipalities with full self-governance.
- Which Tokyo ward has the highest population?
- Setagaya (世田谷区) is the most populated ward with approximately 941,906 residents (2020 Census). Nerima and Ota follow as the 2nd and 3rd most populated.
- Is it expensive to live in central Tokyo?
- Yes. Central wards like Chiyoda, Chuo, and Minato have the highest property prices in Tokyo, with median condo prices around ¥49.0M. However, eastern and northern wards offer prices 50-70% lower while still being within 30-40 minutes of central Tokyo by train.
Dive Deeper
This page summarizes ward-level data. For neighborhood-level details, explore our specialized guides and ward pages.
Methodology & Sources
Crime data: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) annual crime statistics, 2024 confirmed figures. Crime rates are calculated per 1,000 residents, averaged across all neighborhoods in each ward.
Property prices: MLIT REINFOLIB API (不動産情報ライブラリ), 2024 used-condo (中古マンション等) transaction prices. Medians calculated from actual sale prices.
Population: 2020 National Census (国勢調査) by Statistics Bureau of Japan. Summed from neighborhood-level census data.
Value Index: Price Rank (1-23, cheapest first) + Safety Rank (1-23, safest first). Lower combined score = better value.
Ward clusters are geographic groupings for convenience. Boundaries are approximate and based on common usage, not official designations.