Israel🇮🇱

At a Glance

How Israel compares across key indices

Quality of Life170Safety68Healthcare73Affordability80Climate94Clean Air57

Cost of Living

80 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

68/100

Healthcare

73/100

Quality of Life

170/200

Climate

94/100

Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs range from $2,321 in Haifa to $3,538 in Tel Aviv-Yafo

City Costs Comparison

Haifa

Cheapest

$2,321/mo

Food$275

Ramat Gan

$2,875/mo

Food$264

Jerusalem

$3,097/mo

Food$261

Tel Aviv-Yafo

$3,538/mo

Food$316

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

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

Walking Safety

Daytime82
Nighttime68

14 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Corruption & bribery
Low43
Property crimes
Low36
Drug-related crime
Low34
Violent crimes
Very Low25

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Home broken into
Low34
Things stolen from car
Low34
Being insulted or harassed
Low33
Car stolen
Low31
Being physically attacked
Low29
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low27
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low22

Based on 916 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Israel

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.

💸Most Affordable

Haifa

$2,321/mo

Safest

Tel Aviv-Yafo

74/100

Best Quality of Life

Haifa

176/200

Best Healthcare

Haifa

74/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Haifa$2,32171/100176/20074/10067
Ramat Gan$2,875————
Jerusalem$3,09764/100———
Tel Aviv-Yafo$3,53874/100165/20074/10046

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

Healthcare system overview for Israel

Healthcare Index

73/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment89/100
Staff Skill & Competency81/100
Accuracy & Completeness76/100
Speed of Service71/100
Friendliness & Courtesy67/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist48/100
Cost Satisfaction75/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 343 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
78.1%
Private
16.3%
Employer Sponsored
4.1%
None
1.5%
Healthcare73Safety68Quality of Life170
Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Israel

Pollution Index

57/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality71/100
Green Spaces & Parks63/100
Garbage Disposal61/100
Comfortable to Spend Time53/100
Clean & Tidy50/100
Air Quality39/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution51/100
Water Pollution36/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 484 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

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

How People Commute

Car52.3%
Bus/Trolleybus15.9%
Walking9.3%
Bicycle7.9%
Working from Home7.0%
Motorcycle4.2%
Train/Metro2.8%
Tram/Streetcar0.5%

Based on 216 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Israel, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Israel?

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.

What is the cheapest city in Israel for expats?

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.

Is Israel safe for expats?

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.

What is the best city in Israel for expats and digital nomads?

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.

How good is healthcare in Israel?

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.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Israel

Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet — sorted before you land.

Book Your First Accommodation

Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.

Find Flights

Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.

Flight Deals

Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.

Learn about our mission