😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $826 in Madaba versus $397 in At Tafilah.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,421 in Madaba versus $713 in At Tafilah.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,015 in Madaba versus $1,029 in At Tafilah.
😐Living in Madaba is roughly 108% more expensive than At Tafilah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Madaba39% lower, At Tafilah70% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.58JOD 3.95
$4.26JOD 3.01
30.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.35JOD 34.93
$28.34JOD 20.06
74.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.42JOD 4.54
$5.70JOD 4.03
12.63%
Cappuccino
$3.50JOD 2.48
$3.48JOD 2.46
0.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48JOD 0.34
$0.34JOD 0.24
41.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38JOD 0.27
$0.46JOD 0.32
-17.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.36JOD 3.08
$5.60JOD 3.96
-22.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.84JOD 4.84
$6.86JOD 4.86
-0.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44JOD 1.02
$1.46JOD 1.03
-1.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55JOD 0.39
$0.74JOD 0.52
-25.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70JOD 1.20
$1.38JOD 0.98
23.19%
Eggs
$1.65JOD 1.17
$1.49JOD 1.05
10.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35JOD 3.08
$7.07JOD 5.00
-38.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.51JOD 3.90
$2.86JOD 2.02
92.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.37JOD 8.05
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.96JOD 1.39
$1.74JOD 1.23
12.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42JOD 1.01
$1.74JOD 1.23
-18.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40JOD 0.99
$1.43JOD 1.01
-2.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.74JOD 0.52
$0.68JOD 0.48
8.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.68JOD 0.48
$0.74JOD 0.52
-8.11%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70JOD 0.49
$0.68JOD 0.48
2.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.34JOD 0.24
$0.68JOD 0.48
-50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54JOD 0.38
$0.47JOD 0.33
14.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.16JOD 1.53
$3.20JOD 2.26
-32.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.47JOD 15.19
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.72JOD 3.34
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.37JOD 3.80
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89JOD 0.63
$0.68JOD 0.48
30.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$70.6JOD 49.97
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74JOD 0.53
$0.68JOD 0.48
8.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39JOD 0.98
$0.68JOD 0.48
104.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.87JOD 4.86
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36JOD 0.96
$1.17JOD 0.83
16.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3KJOD 19.3K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9KJOD 22.6K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$71.7JOD 50.7
$66.1JOD 46.81
8.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.85JOD 9.80
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.81JOD 14.73
$21.50JOD 15.22
-3.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.71JOD 20.32
$20.78JOD 14.71
38.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$69.7JOD 49.35
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.17JOD 7.91
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$43.13JOD 30.53
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,111JOD 786
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.6JOD 43.59
$27.84JOD 19.71
121.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.62JOD 35.12
$25.84JOD 18.29
92.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.1JOD 45.37
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.89JOD 25.41
$28.60JOD 20.24
25.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$175JOD 124
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$125JOD 88.4
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$392JOD 278
$208JOD 147
88.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$347JOD 246
$142JOD 101
144.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madaba
At Tafilah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$487JOD 345
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.25
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Madaba: June 8, 2026
Last update for At Tafilah: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Madaba vs $28.00 in At Tafilah for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $224 vs $109 per month, with At Tafilah 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
Madaba vs At Tafilah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is At Tafilah cheaper than Madaba?
At Tafilah is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 108% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,239 in Madaba and $595 in At Tafilah to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Madaba and At Tafilah?
Supermarket bills run roughly 106% higher in Madaba. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Madaba or At Tafilah?
Dining out is cheaper in At Tafilah – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $49.00 in Madaba. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Madaba or At Tafilah?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though At Tafilah gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Madaba or At Tafilah?
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, Madaba or At Tafilah?
Safety-wise, Madaba and At Tafilah 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 At Tafilah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 108% less than in Madaba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.