Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and AqabaCost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Aqaba
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,154 per month in Amman vs $898 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,801 per month in Amman vs $1,439 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,449 per month in Amman vs $1,980 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐Amman costs about 29% more than Aqaba, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Amman and Aqaba are more affordable than the global median – Amman14% lower, Aqaba33% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.95JOD 4.93
$2.89JOD 2.05
140.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.49JOD 35.09
$48.92JOD 34.68
1.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.16JOD 5.08
$4.25JOD 3.01
68.47%
Cappuccino
$4.22JOD 2.99
$4.08JOD 2.89
3.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51JOD 0.36
$0.52JOD 0.37
-1.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38JOD 0.27
$0.35JOD 0.25
8.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.80JOD 4.11
$5.75JOD 4.08
0.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.92JOD 4.90
$6.94JOD 4.92
-0.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.41JOD 1.00
$1.44JOD 1.02
-2.08%
White Bread(500g)
$0.51JOD 0.36
$0.47JOD 0.33
8.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61JOD 1.14
$1.70JOD 1.21
-5.29%
Eggs
$2.55JOD 1.81
$1.66JOD 1.18
53.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.62JOD 4.69
$5.72JOD 4.06
15.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.45JOD 4.57
$4.14JOD 2.94
55.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.47JOD 8.13
$9.59JOD 6.80
19.60%
Apples(1kg)
$1.99JOD 1.41
$1.37JOD 0.97
45.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79JOD 1.27
$1.37JOD 0.97
30.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43JOD 1.01
$1.04JOD 0.74
37.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.79JOD 0.56
$0.74JOD 0.52
6.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.86JOD 0.61
$0.74JOD 0.52
16.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.73JOD 0.51
$0.70JOD 0.50
4.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.64JOD 0.46
$0.61JOD 0.43
4.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63JOD 0.45
$0.59JOD 0.42
6.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.46JOD 2.45
$3.48JOD 2.46
-0.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.12JOD 14.97
$16.90JOD 11.98
24.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.83JOD 3.42
$2.85JOD 2.02
69.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.44JOD 3.86
$2.44JOD 1.73
122.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77JOD 0.55
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.34JOD 30.02
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70JOD 0.50
$0.48JOD 0.34
45.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.43JOD 1.01
$1.38JOD 0.98
3.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.26JOD 5.15
$7.12JOD 5.05
1.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42JOD 1.01
$1.41JOD 1.00
0.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.0KJOD 19.1K
$27.3KJOD 19.4K
-1.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KJOD 22.5K
$31.4KJOD 22.3K
1.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$107JOD 75.9
$105JOD 74.6
1.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.95JOD 12.02
$16.98JOD 12.04
-0.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.50JOD 23.04
$31.99JOD 22.68
1.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.0JOD 38.25
$71.5JOD 50.7
-24.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$42.16JOD 29.89
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.38JOD 8.07
$11.19JOD 7.93
1.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$277JOD 196
$275JOD 195
0.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,406JOD 3,833
$2,840JOD 2,013
90.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.4JOD 43.55
$28.70JOD 20.35
114.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.8JOD 39.53
$41.49JOD 29.42
34.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116JOD 82.5
$41.75JOD 29.60
178.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2JOD 57.5
$71.1JOD 50.4
14.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467JOD 331
$313JOD 222
49.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$300JOD 212
$259JOD 184
15.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$774JOD 549
$739JOD 524
4.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$526JOD 373
$496JOD 352
5.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,521JOD 1,078
$1,137JOD 806
33.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$963JOD 683
$554JOD 393
73.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$695JOD 493
$572JOD 405
21.61%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Aqaba: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $467 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 22% 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 – $244 in Amman vs $188 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 29% 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 vs Aqaba?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,731 per month in Amman and $1,347 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 vs 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 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 Aqaba?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Aqaba, where all-in costs run around $898, 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 $898 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 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.