😐A single person spends $1,154 per month in Amman vs $685 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,795 per month in Amman vs $1,043 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,437 per month in Amman vs $1,401 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐Amman costs about 68% more than Az-zarqa', driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Amman and Az-zarqa' are more affordable than the global median – Amman13% lower, Az-zarqa'49% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.94JOD 4.91
$4.35JOD 3.08
59.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.74JOD 34.50
$25.23JOD 17.86
93.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.99JOD 4.95
$5.56JOD 3.94
25.72%
Cappuccino
$4.02JOD 2.84
$0.78JOD 0.56
415.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52JOD 0.37
$0.43JOD 0.30
20.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35JOD 0.25
$0.34JOD 0.24
2.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.56JOD 3.94
$4.19JOD 2.97
32.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.88JOD 4.87
$6.84JOD 4.84
0.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47JOD 1.04
$1.37JOD 0.97
7.30%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56JOD 0.39
$0.52JOD 0.36
7.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68JOD 1.19
$1.70JOD 1.20
-1.18%
Eggs
$2.57JOD 1.82
$1.89JOD 1.34
35.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.72JOD 4.76
$6.82JOD 4.83
-1.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.63JOD 4.69
$4.29JOD 3.04
54.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.54JOD 8.17
$9.43JOD 6.67
22.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.08JOD 1.47
$1.55JOD 1.10
34.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71JOD 1.21
$1.35JOD 0.96
26.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.42JOD 1.00
$1.01JOD 0.71
40.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.77JOD 0.54
$0.77JOD 0.55
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.93JOD 0.66
$0.77JOD 0.54
20.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68JOD 0.48
$0.74JOD 0.53
-8.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66JOD 0.47
$0.52JOD 0.37
26.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63JOD 0.45
$0.51JOD 0.36
23.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44JOD 2.44
$3.43JOD 2.42
0.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.24JOD 15.04
$6.87JOD 4.86
209.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.68JOD 3.31
$4.22JOD 2.98
10.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29JOD 3.74
$4.35JOD 3.08
21.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77JOD 0.54
$0.61JOD 0.43
26.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.58JOD 30.14
$21.50JOD 15.22
98.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72JOD 0.51
$0.69JOD 0.49
4.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.40JOD 0.99
$0.96JOD 0.68
45.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.19JOD 5.09
$4.87JOD 3.45
47.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.45JOD 1.03
$1.35JOD 0.96
7.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KJOD 18.9K
$27.5KJOD 19.4K
-3.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0KJOD 22.7K
$27.7KJOD 19.6K
15.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106JOD 75.4
$99.1JOD 70.2
7.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.02JOD 12.05
$13.49JOD 9.55
26.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.08JOD 22.71
$23.41JOD 16.57
37.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.2JOD 38.34
$29.48JOD 20.87
83.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$42.75JOD 30.26
$8.90JOD 6.30
380.34%
Cinema Ticket
$11.12JOD 7.87
$10.08JOD 7.14
10.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$280JOD 198
$81.5JOD 57.7
243.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,364JOD 3,797
$2,833JOD 2,006
89.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3JOD 44.13
$21.90JOD 15.50
184.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.1JOD 40.43
$26.30JOD 18.62
117.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114JOD 80.4
$45.16JOD 31.97
151.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9JOD 55.9
$55.9JOD 39.53
41.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$468JOD 331
$162JOD 115
188.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$294JOD 208
$124JOD 87.5
138.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$775JOD 549
$276JOD 195
181.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$537JOD 380
$231JOD 163
132.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,628JOD 1,153
$574JOD 406
183.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,033JOD 731
$347JOD 245
197.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$701JOD 496
$496JOD 351
41.24%
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 Az-zarqa': July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $468 in Amman versus $162 in Az-zarqa'. 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 41% 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 $25.00 in Az-zarqa'. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $183 – making Az-zarqa' the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Az-zarqa': Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Amman or Az-zarqa'?
Amman costs about 68% more than Az-zarqa', 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 Az-zarqa'?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,730 per month in Amman and $1,027 in Az-zarqa'. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Amman or Az-zarqa'?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Az-zarqa', especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Amman compared to Az-zarqa'?
Public transport costs about 98% less in Az-zarqa'. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Amman and in Az-zarqa'?
Kindergarten costs $280 per month in Amman and $81.5 in Az-zarqa'. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Amman or in Az-zarqa'?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Az-zarqa', where all-in costs run around $685, than in Amman at $1,154. In Az-zarqa' 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 Az-zarqa'?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Az-zarqa' costs $685 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 Az-zarqa'?
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 Az-zarqa'?
If budget matters most, go with Az-zarqa'. 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.