Cost of Living Comparison Between Amman and MadabaCost of Living Comparison Between Amman and Madaba
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,186 per month in Amman vs $774 in Madaba, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,879 per month in Amman vs $1,360 in Madaba, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,572 per month in Amman vs $1,946 in Madaba, rent included.
😐Amman costs about 53% more than Madaba, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Amman and Madaba are more affordable than the global median – Amman14% lower, Madaba44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.21JOD 5.10
$5.70JOD 4.03
26.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.1JOD 47.49
$49.91JOD 35.32
34.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.97JOD 4.93
$6.18JOD 4.37
12.78%
Cappuccino
$4.49JOD 3.18
$3.45JOD 2.44
30.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61JOD 0.43
$0.61JOD 0.44
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60JOD 0.42
$0.60JOD 0.42
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.52JOD 6.03
$4.35JOD 3.08
95.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.88JOD 7.70
$6.89JOD 4.87
57.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56JOD 1.11
$1.43JOD 1.01
9.09%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71JOD 0.50
$0.68JOD 0.48
4.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58JOD 1.12
$1.51JOD 1.07
4.64%
Eggs
$2.40JOD 1.70
$1.71JOD 1.21
40.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.09JOD 6.43
$4.20JOD 2.97
116.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.61JOD 4.68
$5.77JOD 4.08
14.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.67JOD 8.97
$12.61JOD 8.92
0.48%
Apples(1kg)
$2.53JOD 1.79
$2.46JOD 1.74
2.85%
Banana(1kg)
$2.03JOD 1.44
$1.45JOD 1.02
40.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90JOD 1.35
$1.83JOD 1.30
3.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.79JOD 0.56
$0.68JOD 0.48
16.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00JOD 0.70
$0.68JOD 0.48
47.06%
Onion(1kg)
$0.89JOD 0.63
$0.69JOD 0.49
28.99%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66JOD 0.47
$0.34JOD 0.24
94.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62JOD 0.44
$0.58JOD 0.41
6.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96JOD 2.80
$2.09JOD 1.48
89.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.00JOD 14.86
$21.56JOD 15.26
-2.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.19JOD 3.68
$5.29JOD 3.75
-1.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.23JOD 3.70
$5.00JOD 3.54
4.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Amman
Madaba
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.81JOD 0.57
$0.89JOD 0.63
-8.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.89JOD 30.35
$71.7JOD 50.7
-40.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.64JOD 0.45
$0.64JOD 0.45
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.43JOD 1.01
$1.38JOD 0.98
3.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.98JOD 4.94
$7.12JOD 5.04
-1.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68JOD 1.19
$1.36JOD 0.96
23.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8KJOD 25.3K
$35.8KJOD 25.3K
0.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5KJOD 24.4K
$35.1KJOD 24.8K
-1.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$129JOD 91.2
$71.3JOD 50.5
80.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.53JOD 10.99
$14.19JOD 10.04
9.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.96JOD 22.62
$21.40JOD 15.14
49.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.9JOD 36.74
$27.90JOD 19.74
86.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.38JOD 23.62
$69.7JOD 49.30
-52.08%
Cinema Ticket
$11.19JOD 7.92
$11.22JOD 7.94
-0.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$493JOD 349
$41.55JOD 29.40
1086.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,539JOD 6,751
$9,350JOD 6,617
2.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.7JOD 45.81
$64.7JOD 45.79
0.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$82.6JOD 58.5
$55.6JOD 39.34
48.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125JOD 88.3
$69.8JOD 49.40
78.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1JOD 61.7
$42.41JOD 30.02
105.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Amman
Madaba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$462JOD 327
$208JOD 147
122.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241JOD 171
$42.78JOD 30.27
463.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$770JOD 545
$424JOD 300
81.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$428JOD 303
$210JOD 149
103.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,595JOD 1,129
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,005JOD 711
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Amman
Madaba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$767JOD 543
$494JOD 350
55.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.81
6.81
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Amman: September 5, 2026
Last update for Madaba: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $462 in Amman versus $208 in Madaba. 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 55% 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 $67.0 in Amman versus $50.0 in Madaba. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $236 – making Madaba 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 Madaba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Amman or Madaba?
Amman costs about 53% more than Madaba, 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 Madaba?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,779 per month in Amman and $1,161 in Madaba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Amman or Madaba?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Madaba, 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 Madaba?
Public transport costs about 67% less in Madaba. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Amman and in Madaba?
Kindergarten costs $493 per month in Amman and $41.55 in Madaba. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Amman or in Madaba?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Madaba, where all-in costs run around $774, than in Amman at $1,186. In Madaba 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 Madaba?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Madaba costs $774 versus $1,186 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 Madaba?
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 Madaba?
If budget matters most, go with Madaba. 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.