🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,581 in Ashdod versus $2,979 in Jerusalem.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,814 in Ashdod versus $4,389 in Jerusalem.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,048 in Ashdod versus $5,800 in Jerusalem.
🌍Living in Ashdod costs roughly 13% less than in Jerusalem, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ashdod88% above, Jerusalem117% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.36₪70.2
$23.63₪71.0
-1.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.7₪297
$98.9₪297
-0.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$19.87₪59.7
$19.74₪59.3
0.66%
Cappuccino
$5.02₪15.09
$5.11₪15.36
-1.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62₪10.88
$3.52₪10.59
2.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00₪9.00
$2.87₪8.63
4.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.58₪25.79
$8.47₪25.44
1.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.38₪31.18
$10.52₪31.61
-1.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.49₪7.48
$2.47₪7.43
0.81%
White Bread(500g)
$3.48₪10.46
$3.48₪10.45
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.98₪8.96
$3.71₪11.16
-19.68%
Eggs
$5.10₪15.32
$4.99₪15.00
2.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.73₪53.3
$17.52₪52.7
1.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.74₪41.30
$14.76₪44.35
-6.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$31.40₪94.4
$35.85₪108
-12.41%
Apples(1kg)
$3.69₪11.08
$4.54₪13.64
-18.72%
Banana(1kg)
$3.28₪9.85
$3.49₪10.49
-6.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.78₪8.35
$2.77₪8.34
0.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.42₪7.28
$2.41₪7.23
0.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.93₪5.79
$1.96₪5.90
-1.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.52₪4.57
$1.76₪5.29
-13.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.04₪6.14
$2.11₪6.32
-3.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31₪3.94
$1.88₪5.65
-30.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.43₪40.35
$13.66₪41.04
-1.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.46₪40.44
$15.74₪47.31
-14.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95₪8.88
$5.89₪17.70
-49.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98₪11.95
$6.10₪18.34
-34.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.61₪7.84
$2.60₪7.82
0.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$69.9₪210
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.05₪12.17
$4.04₪12.13
0.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33₪4.01
$1.28₪3.84
3.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.76₪77.4
$25.92₪77.9
-0.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.59₪7.78
$2.76₪8.28
-6.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$58.5K₪175.7K
$59.3K₪178.3K
-1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$60.7K₪182.3K
$59.5K₪178.6K
2.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$291₪874
$296₪890
-1.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.83₪38.55
$12.96₪38.93
-1.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.45₪131
$43.62₪131
-0.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.1₪190
$74.3₪223
-15.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.19₪54.6
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.26₪36.85
$15.28₪45.92
-19.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,177₪3,535
$1,444₪4,339
-18.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$29.9K₪89.8K
$29.6K₪89.1K
0.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.1₪286
$120₪361
-20.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.4₪229
$76.8₪231
-0.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132₪396
$158₪474
-16.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$169₪508
$167₪501
1.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,813₪5,449
$1,926₪5,787
-5.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,058₪3,180
$1,312₪3,942
-19.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,116₪6,357
$3,772₪11.3K
-43.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,655₪4,974
$1,944₪5,843
-14.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,714₪23.2K
$20.6K₪61.9K
-62.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,934₪17.8K
$9,202₪27.6K
-35.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ashdod
Jerusalem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,365₪13.1K
$3,778₪11.4K
15.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.99
4.99
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ashdod: August 30, 2026
Last update for Jerusalem: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,813 in Ashdod and $1,926 in Jerusalem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ashdod pays 16% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $99.0 in Ashdod vs $99.0 in Jerusalem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $452 vs $509 per month, with Ashdod cheaper across the board.
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
Ashdod vs Jerusalem: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jerusalem cheaper than Ashdod?
Ashdod is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 15% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ashdod or Jerusalem?
Average pay runs 16% higher in Ashdod, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Ashdod and Jerusalem?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,813 in Ashdod versus $1,926 in Jerusalem. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Ashdod and in Jerusalem?
Supermarket bills run roughly 13% higher in Jerusalem. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Ashdod and in Jerusalem?
All in, you'll spend $2,581 per month in Ashdod versus $2,979 in Jerusalem – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Ashdod or in Jerusalem?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Ashdod is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Ashdod or in Jerusalem?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Ashdod or Jerusalem?
Safety-wise, Ashdod and Jerusalem are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Ashdod gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Jerusalem. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.