The Real Costs of Living in Israel
So, how expensive is it really to live in Israel right now?… WeLl get ready, it’s a time for a reality check.
Israel holds the title of having one of the highest costs of living in the world.
Let’s break down why.
Rent:
In Tel Aviv (the most popular of Israeli cities), you should expect to pay 3,500 – 5,000 NIS for a one-bedroom apartment, and heck of a lot more for larger spaces.
Outside major cities (Jerusalem, Haifa, Ramat Gan, Holon – excluded), costs are a bit lower, ranging from 2,500 – 3,500 NIS.
Food:
Brace yourself. The price of your favorite foods might shock you. You can expect to spend about 3x what costs are in Europe or the Americas. Meaning, essentials can set you back 1,200 – 1,500 NIS per month.
Tip: Shopping at open-air markets, and going for local-made produce will help ease the pain.
Utilities (Water, Power, Gas, etc.):
Expect to pay 500 – 700 NIS per month for water, electricity, and internet – depending on use and location of course.
Tip: Always incorporate a upper end estimation into your cost of living budgeting in order to maintain a “cushion” in your bank account.
Transportation:
Public transport fares are affordable, with monthly passes in major cities costing around 250 NIS.
However, owning a car is really expensive – with gas and insurance fees sky high.
Costs for owning a car will be around 1,000 NIS per month.
In Conclusion…
The cost of living in Israel is expensive, there’s no denying it.
But with smart budgeting, strategic choices, and an appreciation for the unique benefits Israel offers, it’s still possible.
Remember, the “cost of living” isn’t just about numbers – it’s about the experiences, opportunities, and quality of life you build for yourself.
Tip: Remember, Tel Aviv isn’t the only place to be! Smaller cities offer a more affordable experience.
Here is a list of articles (below) about what it is actually, really like living in Israel!
- What is it like living in Israel during a war? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/what-is-like-living-in-israel-a-war/
- The pros and cons of living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/living-in-israel-as-an-american-the-pros-and-cons/
- The real costs of living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-real-costs-of-living-in-israel/
- Living in Israel during the Jewish high holidays – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-high-holidays-in-israel-as-a-non-jew/
- The worst things about living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-worst-things-about-living-in-israel/
- The cost of living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-cost-of-living-in-israel/
- Is living in Israel really safe? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/is-living-in-israel-safe/
- Living in Israel and Israeli landlords – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/renting-in-tel-aviv-israel-and-israeli-landlords/
- The struggles I go through living in Israel as an American immigrant – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-struggle-that-i-go-through-living-in-israel-as-an-american/
- Living in Israel during a war – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/living-in-israel-during-a-war/
- Living in Israel without speaking English – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/living-in-israel-without-speaking-hebrew/
- Living in Israel as an American – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/living-in-israel-as-an-american/
- Living in Israel in Tel Aviv – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/living-in-israel-in-tel-aviv/
- The five best things about living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-5-best-things-about-living-in-israel/
- The worst things about living in Tel Aviv, Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-worst-things-about-living-in-tel-aviv/
You see, I still remember the day I arrived in Israel… I had NO JOB, NO FRIENDS, and NO MONEY.
And it took me several years of living in Israel before I found a decent-paying job at a tech company.
I was working for this company, and was promoted to a leadership position when I had a powerful self-realization:
The purpose of my life, is helping other people get what they want from life.
I looked back into my past and understood that I was always asked to be a leader + trainer + teacher… and I absolutely loved doing it!
Therefore, with my 15+ years of experience in the field of sales and customer service I decided to open a sales training company.
I never thought that I would open my own business in Israel… but I did!
I decided to name my sales training company Sales Development Israel.
Then, I began to use all of my spare time before work and after work creating training materials, and trying to acquire clients.
In addition, I was sending emails and cold calling companies in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, and Holon.
Basically, I was reaching out across the whole country of Israel in my efforts.
Great news – I was able to find my first few clients!
Something I immediately noticed was at the conclusion of my sales training workshops, two things would happen consistently happen:
Firstly, I would receive feedback that my sales training workshops were providing massive value for the sales team.
Secondly, one or two of the students in the courses would privately approach me.
These students would speak with me about their struggles not only in sales, but also in their lives.
Then one time, a female student offered to pay me for a one-on-one session outside of the office.
She asked me to help her learn how to communicate more effectively, and to help her figure out a better career path.
Another student, approached me and offered to pay me for my time to help prepare him for a job interview.
Similarly, another student from another workshop, at another company, asked me to help them build their self-confidence.
And this would happen again and again and again…
Each of these wonderful people I began to work one-on-one with, had their own unique challenge, and asked me for help.
Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed.
These first clients would call me their “Life Coach” or “Career Counselor“, and I am proud to say that I was able to help them.
At the conclusion of our one-on-one sessions, they each had taken took massive steps forward towards the results they wanted!
Eventually, enough people called me their Career Counselor or Life Coach that I began to call myself a “Career Counselor” and ”Life Coach”.
Most people set out to become a trained and certified life coach (קואצ’ר , אימון אישי) or career counselor before ever having a client… that is not my story.
I never once said to myself that I wanted to be a life coach (אימון אישי לחיים) or a career counselor.
This interesting and fulfilling profession came to me… literally.
So that is the short story of how I began life coaching (תל אביב קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career counseling in Tel Aviv Israel.
And after all these years, I’m happy to say I have helped hundreds and hundreds of people from around the world achieve their goals!
Let’s schedule a time for us to speak…
Here is a list (below) of articles on How to Find a Job in Israel that I know will really, really help you!
- How to get unemployment benefits in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/understanding-unemployment-benefits-in-israel/
- What you need to know about working in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/heres-what-you-really-need-to-know-about-working-in-israel/
- The best ways to find a job in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-best-ways-to-find-a-job-in-israel/
- How to find a job in Israel using the internet? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-a-job-in-israel-using-the-internet/
- How to find an English speaking job in Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-an-english-speaking-job-in-israel/
- How to find a job in Israel as a student? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-a-job-in-israel-as-a-student/
- How to write a CV for the Israeli job market? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-write-a-cv-for-the-israeli-job-market/
- How to find a job in Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/finding-a-job-in-israel/
- The job hiring process in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-hiring-process-in-israel/
- The job interview process in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-job-interview-process-in-israel/
- How to find a job in Israel using LinkedIn? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-a-job-in-israel-using-linkedin/
- How to find a job in Israel even if you don’t have experience? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-a-job-in-israel-even-if-you-dont-have-experience/
- The best 5 cities to look for a job in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-five-best-cities-to-look-for-a-job-in-israel/
- The best way to start a new job in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-best-way-to-start-a-new-job-in-israel/
- The best job opportunity in Israel for English speakers –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-best-job-opportunity-in-israel-for-english-speakers/
- The best websites to use to find an English speaking job in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-best-websites-to-use-to-find-an-english-speaking-job-in-israel/
- Things you absolutely must have to find a job in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/things-you-must-have-to-find-a-job-in-israel-2/
- Three tips to ace your job interview in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/3-tips-to-ace-your-job-interview-in-israel/
- The 3 hardest things about find a job in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/3-hardest-things-about-finding-a-job-in-israel-2/
- How to use LinkedIn networking to find an English speaking job in Israel? –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-use-linkedin-networking-to-find-an-english-speaking-job-in-israel/
- How to look for a job in Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/looking-for-a-job-in-israel/
- The fastest way to find an English speaking job in Israel –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-fastest-ways-to-find-a-english-speaking-job-in-israel/
- How to find a job in Israel using Facebook? –https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-find-a-job-in-israel-using-facebook/
And here is a list of articles (below) that will definitely help you if you are planning to move to Israel!
- How to Move to Israel from the United States? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-move-to-israel-from-the-united-states/
- What NOT to do When Moving to Israel from America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-from-america-what-not-to-do/
- How to Make Aliyah to Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-how-to-make-aliyah/
- How to decide which city in Israel to move to? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-decide-which-city-in-israel-to-move-to/
- What you need to know first before you move to Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-what-you-need-to-know-first/
- Three tips on going to Misrad Hapnim (the immigration offices) in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/3-tips-on-going-to-misrad-hapnim-in-israel/
- Five tips on moving to Israel from America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/tips-on-living-and-moving-from-an-american-living-in-israel-2020/
- The hardest things about moving to Israel from America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/hardest-things-about-moving-to-israel-from-america/
- Four tips for going to the Misrad Hapnim offices in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/4-tips-for-going-to-misrad-hapnim-in-israel/
- Three tips on making Aliyah to Israel from America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/my-aliyah-story-and-3-tips-on-moving-to-israel-from-america/
- Moving to Israel from America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-from-america/
- What is Misrad Hapnim (the name of the Israeli immigration offices) in Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/misrad-hapnim-in-israel/
- Moving to Israel from the UK – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-from-the-uk/
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How To Overcome Language Barriers During Your Job Hunt in Israel? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-overcome-language-barriers-during-your-job-hunt-in-israel/
- 3 Tips on Going to Misrad Hapnim in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/3-tips-on-going-to-misrad-hapnim-in-israel/
- How to Decide Which City in Israel To Move To? – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/how-to-decide-which-city-in-israel-to-move-to/
- Do Not Move To Israel From America – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/do-not-move-to-israel-from-america/
- The Real Costs of Living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-real-costs-of-living-in-israel/
- Average Job Salary – The Cost of Living in Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/average-job-salary-the-cost-of-living-in-israel/
- Advice from an American about moving to Israel – https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/moving-to-israel-advice-from-an-american/
Claude Massey Consulting is a 5-Star Rated Google Business