Israel (IL)
Start-Up Nation with world-class tech ecosystem, rich ancient history, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant expat and immigrant community.
Capital: Jerusalem
Region: Middle East
Language: Hebrew
Currency: ILS (₪)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 100
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Israel — 2026 data in ILS.
72
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Food & Groceries
Monthly grocery budget (cooking at home, 1 person) NIS 1,200–2,200
Loaf of bread (standard) NIS 7–15
Milk (1 litre) NIS 6–8
Eggs (12) NIS 12–22
Chicken breast (1 kg) NIS 35–55
Beef (1 kg) NIS 70–120
Tomatoes (1 kg) NIS 5–12
Avocado (each — Israel is a top avocado producer) NIS 5–12
Hummus (tub, 400g) NIS 8–18
Bottle of local Israeli wine (decent) NIS 40–90
Beer (local, 500ml) NIS 8–15
Sparkling water (1.5L) NIS 4–7
Cucumbers (1 kg) NIS 4–10
Dining Out
Falafel in pita (street) NIS 18–30
Hummus plate (at restaurant) NIS 35–60
Café lunch (mid-range) NIS 55–100
Restaurant dinner (mid-range, per person) NIS 100–180
Restaurant dinner (upscale, per person) NIS 200–400+
Coffee (espresso / Americano) NIS 12–22
Beer in bar (500ml) NIS 28–45
Cocktail in Tel Aviv bar NIS 50–80
Delivery (Wolt / 10bis, per order incl. food) NIS 60–150
Rent
1-bedroom apartment, Tel Aviv centre (monthly) NIS 6,000–9,000
2-bedroom apartment, Tel Aviv centre (monthly) NIS 9,000–14,000
1-bedroom apartment, Tel Aviv suburbs (monthly) NIS 4,500–7,000
1-bedroom apartment, Jerusalem (monthly) NIS 4,000–7,500
1-bedroom apartment, Haifa (monthly) NIS 3,000–5,500
1-bedroom apartment, Beer Sheva (monthly) NIS 2,500–4,000
Arnona (municipal tax, Tel Aviv, monthly) NIS 150–400
Va'ad Bayit (building fee, monthly) NIS 100–500
Transport
Rav-Kav single bus / train journey NIS 5.50–20 (distance-based)
Monthly transit pass (Tel Aviv metro area) NIS 250–350
Taxi (base rate + per km) NIS 15 flag + NIS 3–4/km
Gett taxi Tel Aviv centre to Ben Gurion Airport NIS 90–130
Train Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (return) NIS 46
Petrol / gasoline (1 litre) NIS 7.0–8.5
Tel-O-Fun bike share (30 min) NIS 5
Health & Insurance
GP visit (via HMO — free for members) Free
Specialist via HMO (with referral) NIS 0–50 co-payment
Specialist via Bituah Mashlim (supplementary) NIS 100–300 co-payment
Private GP / specialist (self-pay) NIS 350–700
Bituah Mashlim (supplementary HMO, monthly) NIS 100–300
Prescription medication (via HMO) NIS 9–31 per item
Dental check-up (private) NIS 300–600
Utilities
Electricity (average apartment, monthly) NIS 250–600
Water and sewage (monthly) NIS 80–150
Gas (cooking, monthly) NIS 50–120
Home internet (fibre / cable 100 Mbps+, monthly) NIS 60–120
Mobile phone (unlimited data SIM, monthly) NIS 29–80
Childcare
Public kindergarten (ages 3+, state-funded) Free
Private daycare (ages 0–3, monthly) NIS 3,000–7,000
International school (annual) NIS 55,500–103,600
Ulpan Hebrew intensive (for Olim: free; otherwise per course) Free or NIS 3,000–8,000
University tuition (Israeli citizen rate, annual) NIS 10,000–14,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket NIS 40–60
Gym membership (monthly) NIS 180–350
Concert / live music event NIS 100–400
Museum entry (most national museums) NIS 30–60
Hairdresser (wash and cut) NIS 100–250
Netflix subscription (standard, monthly) NIS 54–80
Cost of Living
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