How Israel compares across key indices
Cost of Living
80 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
68/100
Healthcare
73/100
Quality of Life
170/200
Climate
94/100
How far your money goes in Israel
Cost of Living
80
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
29
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
75
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
90
100 = NYC dining
$2,321/mo
$2,875/mo
$3,097/mo
$3,538/mo
How safe residents feel in Israel — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
68/100
Crime Index
32/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
55/100
Mixed perception
14 point drop from day to night
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
Based on 916 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Israel has 4 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,321 in Haifa to $3,538 in Tel Aviv-Yafo. Tel Aviv-Yafo leads on safety, scoring 74/100. Haifa ranks highest for quality of life at 176/200.
Haifa
$2,321/mo
Tel Aviv-Yafo
74/100
Haifa
176/200
Haifa
74/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haifa | $2,321 | 71/100 | 176/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Ramat Gan | $2,875 | — | — | — | — |
| Jerusalem | $3,097 | 64/100 | — | — | — |
| Tel Aviv-Yafo | $3,538 | 74/100 | 165/200 | 74/100 | 46 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Israel
Healthcare Index
73/100
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 343 survey responses
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Israel
Pollution Index
57/100
Lower is better
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 484 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
How people get around in Israel
Average One-Way Commute
37minutes
Average
Traffic Index
157
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
171
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
5.9kg/trip
Based on 216 survey responses.
Common questions about living in Israel, answered with data
Israel has a cost of living index of 80 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,321 in Haifa and reach $3,538 in Tel Aviv-Yafo.
Haifa is the most affordable city in Israel with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,321 for a single person including rent. Ramat Gan is the next most affordable at $2,875/mo.
Israel has a safety index of 68/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Tel Aviv-Yafo scores highest on safety at 74/100.
Haifa ranks highest for quality of life in Israel, scoring 176/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,321/mo for a single person.
Israel scores 73/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
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