MigrantoCost of living in Israel
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Israel
Spending runs from ₪2,090 a month in the poorest fifth to ₪17,500 in the richest
Per person, whole country
₪6,260
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
₪2,090richest 20%
₪17,500
Where people spend money in Israel
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Israel in numbers
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 97% of countries. A basket that costs ₪2,930 at world-middle prices costs ₪5,850 here.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs ₪5,850 here against ₪4,160 in Cyprus, the closest on price.
Housing takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 25.7% of spending here, or ₪1,610 a month, against 18.4% in a typical country, 7.3 points more.
Typical spending takes 58% of the average wage
A typical person spends ₪6,260 a month while the average take-home wage is ₪10,700, so 42% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
The richest fifth spends 8.4× the poorest
Spending runs from ₪2,090 a month in the poorest fifth to ₪17,500 in the richest, which is #36 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
How living costs in Israel compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Israel against other countries
More expensive than 97% of countries
Where Israel sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs ₪2,930 at world-middle prices costs ₪5,850 here.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Israel
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Israel and how much you could have left each month
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Cost of living in Israel
₪2,090/mo
vs ₪2,340 in your country
Take-home
₪8,580
vs ₪3,510 in your country
Potential savings
₪6,490
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Israel?
A typical person in Israel spends about ₪6,260 a month — around ₪75,100 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Israel?
By spending, Israel ranks #21 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about ₪6,260 a month, the poorest 20% about ₪2,090 and the richest 20% about ₪17,500. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Israel in US dollars?
The cost of living in Israel is about $2,139 a month, or roughly $25,668 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Israel?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ₪2,090 a month per person, a typical one around ₪6,260, and a comfortable life around ₪9,600. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Israel?
The biggest expense is housing, at about ₪1,610 a month (26% of spending). Then come groceries (₪1,020, 16%) and transport (₪831, 13%).
Is the average salary in Israel enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ₪6,260 a month, while the average take-home pay in Israel is about ₪10,700. For more on incomes, see salaries in Israel.
Is Israel an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Israel is more expensive than 89% of countries worldwide and ranks 1st of 17 in the Middle East by cost of living.
What currency is used in Israel?
Israel uses the Israeli New Shekel (ILS). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Israel
See the full country overview