Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and AqabaCost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Aqaba
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,133 per month in Amman vs $906 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,761 per month in Amman vs $1,442 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,389 per month in Amman vs $1,977 in Aqaba, rent included.
😐Amman costs about 25% more than Aqaba, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Amman and Aqaba are more affordable than the global median – Amman16% lower, Aqaba33% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.01JOD 4.96
$2.81JOD 1.99
149.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.04JOD 34.71
$48.81JOD 34.55
0.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.22JOD 5.11
$4.11JOD 2.91
75.67%
Cappuccino
$4.10JOD 2.90
$4.21JOD 2.98
-2.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48JOD 0.34
$0.49JOD 0.35
-2.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35JOD 0.25
$0.37JOD 0.26
-5.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.71JOD 4.04
$5.51JOD 3.90
3.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.10JOD 5.02
$6.96JOD 4.93
2.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48JOD 1.05
$1.45JOD 1.02
2.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.54JOD 0.38
$0.51JOD 0.36
5.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.63JOD 1.15
$1.68JOD 1.19
-2.98%
Eggs
$2.56JOD 1.81
$1.74JOD 1.23
47.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.56JOD 4.64
$5.50JOD 3.89
19.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.65JOD 4.71
$4.35JOD 3.08
52.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.62JOD 8.22
$9.78JOD 6.92
18.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.99JOD 1.41
$1.39JOD 0.99
43.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70JOD 1.20
$1.39JOD 0.98
22.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40JOD 0.99
$1.09JOD 0.77
28.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75JOD 0.53
$0.74JOD 0.52
1.35%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94JOD 0.67
$0.74JOD 0.52
27.03%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70JOD 0.50
$0.72JOD 0.51
-2.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66JOD 0.47
$0.65JOD 0.46
1.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59JOD 0.42
$0.54JOD 0.38
9.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.47JOD 2.46
$3.63JOD 2.57
-4.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.48JOD 15.21
$17.11JOD 12.11
25.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.82JOD 3.41
$2.87JOD 2.03
67.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.38JOD 3.81
$2.49JOD 1.76
116.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.81JOD 0.57
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.97JOD 29.71
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.73JOD 0.52
$0.51JOD 0.36
43.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.43JOD 1.01
$1.42JOD 1.01
0.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.14JOD 5.06
$6.95JOD 4.92
2.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.40JOD 0.99
$1.44JOD 1.02
-2.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9KJOD 19.1K
$27.2KJOD 19.2K
-0.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KJOD 22.5K
$31.3KJOD 22.1K
1.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104JOD 73.4
$105JOD 74.5
-1.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.88JOD 11.95
$16.83JOD 11.91
0.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.33JOD 22.88
$31.75JOD 22.47
1.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.4JOD 38.48
$70.0JOD 49.54
-22.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$42.29JOD 29.94
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.20JOD 7.93
$11.13JOD 7.87
0.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$271JOD 192
$271JOD 192
-0.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,404JOD 3,825
$2,866JOD 2,028
88.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.8JOD 43.01
$27.78JOD 19.67
118.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.4JOD 39.91
$41.98JOD 29.72
34.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115JOD 81.1
$43.05JOD 30.47
166.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.1JOD 56.7
$71.9JOD 50.9
11.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454JOD 321
$316JOD 224
43.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$298JOD 211
$257JOD 182
15.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$773JOD 547
$740JOD 524
4.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$527JOD 373
$496JOD 351
6.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,691JOD 1,197
$1,115JOD 789
51.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,017JOD 719
$565JOD 400
79.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Aqaba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$680JOD 481
$554JOD 392
22.83%
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: June 6, 2026
Last update for Aqaba: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $454 in Amman versus $316 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 23% 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 $191 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 25% 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 $1,699 per month in Amman and $1,359 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 29% 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 $906, than in Amman at $1,133. 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 $906 versus $1,133 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.