Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Aqaba Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Aqaba

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,154 per month in Amman vs $907 in Aqaba, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,795 per month in Amman vs $1,428 in Aqaba, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,437 per month in Amman vs $1,948 in Aqaba, rent included.

Amman costs about 27% more than Aqaba, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Amman and Aqaba are more affordable than the global median – Amman 13% lower, Aqaba 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.94 JOD 4.91
$2.74 JOD 1.94
153.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.74 JOD 34.51
$48.93 JOD 34.64
-0.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.99 JOD 4.95
$4.20 JOD 2.97
66.43%
Cappuccino
$4.02 JOD 2.85
$4.23 JOD 2.99
-4.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 JOD 0.37
$0.52 JOD 0.37
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 JOD 0.25
$0.35 JOD 0.24
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.56 JOD 3.94
$5.49 JOD 3.89
1.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.88 JOD 4.87
$6.88 JOD 4.87
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.47 JOD 1.04
$1.39 JOD 0.99
5.76%
White Bread (500g)
$0.56 JOD 0.39
$0.47 JOD 0.33
19.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.68 JOD 1.19
$1.68 JOD 1.19
-
Eggs
$2.57 JOD 1.82
$1.71 JOD 1.21
50.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.72 JOD 4.76
$5.75 JOD 4.07
16.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.63 JOD 4.69
$4.14 JOD 2.93
60.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.54 JOD 8.17
$10.03 JOD 7.10
15.05%
Apples (1kg)
$2.08 JOD 1.47
$1.44 JOD 1.02
44.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 JOD 1.21
$1.38 JOD 0.97
23.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.42 JOD 1.00
$1.05 JOD 0.74
35.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.77 JOD 0.54
$0.69 JOD 0.49
11.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.93 JOD 0.66
$0.74 JOD 0.53
25.68%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 JOD 0.48
$0.73 JOD 0.52
-6.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 JOD 0.47
$0.65 JOD 0.46
1.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 JOD 0.45
$0.53 JOD 0.38
18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44 JOD 2.44
$3.57 JOD 2.53
-3.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.24 JOD 15.04
$17.08 JOD 12.09
24.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.68 JOD 3.31
$2.78 JOD 1.97
68.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29 JOD 3.75
$2.42 JOD 1.72
118.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 JOD 0.54
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.58 JOD 30.14
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.72 JOD 0.51
$0.51 JOD 0.36
41.18%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.40 JOD 0.99
$1.43 JOD 1.01
-2.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.19 JOD 5.09
$7.02 JOD 4.97
2.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 JOD 1.03
$1.47 JOD 1.04
-1.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K JOD 18.9K
$27.2K JOD 19.3K
-2.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0K JOD 22.7K
$30.6K JOD 21.6K
4.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 JOD 75.4
$106 JOD 75.4
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.02 JOD 12.05
$16.85 JOD 11.93
1.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.08 JOD 22.71
$31.35 JOD 22.20
2.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.2 JOD 38.34
$69.4 JOD 49.12
-21.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$42.75 JOD 30.27
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.12 JOD 7.87
$11.37 JOD 8.05
-2.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$280 JOD 198
$277 JOD 196
1.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,364 JOD 3,798
$2,860 JOD 2,025
87.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3 JOD 44.14
$28.44 JOD 20.13
119.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.1 JOD 40.43
$41.61 JOD 29.46
37.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 JOD 80.4
$42.85 JOD 30.34
164.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 JOD 55.9
$70.1 JOD 49.60
12.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$468 JOD 331
$313 JOD 222
49.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$294 JOD 208
$261 JOD 185
12.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$775 JOD 549
$727 JOD 515
6.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$537 JOD 380
$488 JOD 345
9.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,628 JOD 1,153
$1,146 JOD 811
42.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,033 JOD 731
$563 JOD 398
83.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$701 JOD 496
$562 JOD 398
24.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.27
7.27
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Amman: July 27, 2026

Last update for Aqaba: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $468 in Amman versus $313 in Aqaba. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 25% higher in Amman, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Amman versus $49.00 in Aqaba. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Amman vs $189 in Aqaba – so Aqaba wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Amman vs Aqaba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Amman or Aqaba?
Amman costs about 27% more than Aqaba, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Amman and in Aqaba?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,730 per month in Amman and $1,361 in Aqaba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Amman or Aqaba?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Aqaba, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Amman and in Aqaba?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Amman and $49.00 in Aqaba. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Amman or in Aqaba?
Groceries cost about 30% more in Amman, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Amman or in Aqaba?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Aqaba, where all-in costs run around $907, than in Amman at $1,154. In Aqaba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Amman it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Amman or Aqaba?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Aqaba costs $907 versus $1,154 in Amman. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Amman compared to Aqaba?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Amman or to Aqaba?
If budget matters most, go with Aqaba. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Amman makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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