Tel Aviv is one of the largest economic and cultural centers in Israel. The city is the second largest city in the country in terms of population and is very popular with tourists. According to the Economist's Intelligence Unit, Tel Aviv was ranked 9th in the list of the most expensive cities in the world and 1st in the Middle East. Prices in Tel Aviv cannot be called low, but there are opportunities to save money in this city as well.
Average income and recurring expenses of Israeli citizens
The reason for the sharp rise in prices in Tel Aviv and in Israel as a whole is a noticeable drop in the shekel exchange rate over the past 5 years.
At the beginning of 2021, the average salary in the country is 10,687 ($ 2,890). Of these, 35% goes to pay government taxes and social contributions. Utilities and other needs are paid from the remaining money.
The statutory minimum wage is ₪ 5,000 ($ 1,365) or NIS 26.88 ($ 7.34) per hour.
Approximate salary in Israel by specialty, per month:
- social worker - 4,000 ₪ (1,063 $);
- bank employee - 15,000 ₪ ($ 3,983);
- cook - 3,766 ($ 1,500);
- security guard - ₪ 3,766 ($ 1,000).
The compulsory monthly expenses of Israelis include the following items:
- Utility bills (city tax, payments to the house committee, cold water, electricity, gas): 250-350 ₪ (66-92 $). The country does not pay for hot water: residents themselves heat it with boilers. Those who have gas stoves pay for gas.
- Meals (per family of 6 people): 2,000-2,400 ₪ ($ 547-657).
- Internet and telephone connection: 160 ₪ (44 $).
- Compulsory health insurance: 110 ₪ (29 $).
Prices in Israel for services differ by region and city.
Food and meal prices in Tel Aviv
In Israel, there is a very wide range of food prices: in different retail outlets, the price difference for the same product can be up to 100%. The data below is the average for Tel Aviv.
Approximate food prices in Tel Aviv:
| Product | Qty. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | loaf | 10–20 ₪ (2–6 $) |
| Chocolate bar | 10–20 ₪ (2–6 $) | |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 6 ₪ (2 $) |
| Bottle of table wine | 0.75 l | 108 ₪ (29 $) |
| Seasonal vegetables and fruits on the market | 1 kg | 5–8 ₪ (2–3 $) |
| Frozen yogurt | 750 ml | 16,7 ₪ (5 $) |
| Drinking water bottle | 0,5 l | 5–6 ₪ (1–2 $) |
| Rice | 1 kg | 16 ₪ (4,3 $) |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | 5–6 ₪ (1–2 $) |
| Hen | 1 kg | 29 ₪ (8 $) |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 120-169 ₪ (32-46 $) |
| Chicken eggs | 10 pieces | 11–12 ₪ (3 $) |
| Milk 3% | 1 l | 5–6 ₪ (1–2 $) |
| Bananas | 1 kg | 7–8 ₪ (2–3 $) |
| Apples | 1 kg | 10–11 ₪ (3 $) |
| Potato | 1 kg | 5-6 ₪ (up to 4 $) |
| A bottle of local beer | 0,5 l | 13–14 ₪ (3–4 $) |
| Sour cream 15% | 1 package | 2–3 ₪ (1 $) |
| Butter | 1 kg | 38 ₪ (11 $) |
| Vegetable oil | 1 l | 8 ₪ (3 $) |
| Ketchup (Heinz) | 1 bottle | 11 ₪ (3 $) |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 90 ₪ (up to 25 $) |
| Cucumbers | 1 kg | 3–7 ₪ (1–2 $) |
For full meals, average prices in cafes and restaurants in Tel Aviv will need:
- dinner for two with wine in a top-class restaurant - 300–350 ₪ (80–100 $);
- dinner for two with wine in a budget restaurant or cafe - 200 ₪ (from $ 70);
- inexpensive lunch for one person - 57 ₪ (15 $);
- a snack at a fast food outlet (hamburger, french fries, cola) - 46 ₪ ($ 12);
- lunch at a restaurant for tourists - 116 ₪ (31 $).
As you can see from the prices, cooking yourself is much cheaper. The order of alcohol greatly increases the average bill in a cafe / restaurant.
How much does it cost to rent or buy a property in Tel Aviv
There are very few Israelis who can afford to buy their own home. Most indigenous people and migrants rent apartments or houses.
The most profitable solution to the housing issue is renting an apartment in Tel Aviv.
The approximate cost of renting an apartment per month, depending on the number of living rooms:
- 4 rooms: ₪ 3,600–8,000 ($ 982–2,181);
- 3 rooms: 3 300–4 500 ₪ (900–1 227 $);
- 2 rooms: 2,400–3,400 ₪ (655–927 $);
- 1 room: 2,700-5,500 ₪ (1,000 - 1,500 $).
The most difficult thing is to find a one-room or two-room apartment for rent. There are two reasons: the small number and the high popularity of small-sized housing.
Where and how to buy housing in Tel Aviv is more profitable depends on your needs and financial capabilities.
Price for middle class apartments:
- 4-room apartments: 2 070 927 ₪ (550 000 $);
- 3-room apartments: 1,129,596–1,882,661 ₪ (300,000–500,000 $);
- 2-room and 1-room apartments: 564 798–677 758 ₪ (150,000–180,000 $).
The price of elite apartments with a sea view can go up to 75,306–94,133 ₪ (20,000–25,000 $) per 1 sq. M. m.
In 2021, utilities in Israel (including city tax and payments to the house committee) are paid separately, regardless of whether you are renting an object or owning it.
Public transport and own car
The prices for tickets in public transport and for gasoline in Tel Aviv are quite high. For this reason, many residents of the city prefer to get around on their own or rented bicycles.
Public transport rates in Tel Aviv:
| Transport | Period of use / number of tickets | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus / tram | 1 ticket | 5-7 ₪ (2 $) |
| Taxi service GetTaxi | 30 minutes around the city | 150 ₪ (40 $) |
| Average price of a taxi ride | 1 trip around the city | 34 ₪ (up to 10 $) |
| Bike rental | 3 days 7 days 1 h | 48 ₪ (13 $) 70 ₪ (19 $) 26 ₪ (up to 7 $) |
| Bus / tram pass | 1 day | 14 ₪ (4–6 $) |
| Minibus around the city | 1 trip | 10–20 ₪ (3–6 $) |
There is currently no metro in Tel Aviv, but construction is scheduled for 2021.
The average cost of a liter of gasoline in the city is 6 ₪ ($ 1.6). If you do not have your own garage or free parking space, you will need to pay parking fees:
- per minute by phone - 5-6 ₪ (2-3 $);
- via a parking machine - 10–20 ₪ (3–6 $);
- parking with a fixed price per entry - 10-30 ₪ (3-9 $).
For parking a private car in the wrong place, a significant fine is charged: 100 ₪ ($ 27).
A used car can be purchased for 15,000–40,000 ₪ (4,000–9,000 $). A new one is several times more expensive. Monthly maintenance for a personal car will cost about ₪ 2,500 ($ 669).
How much does education cost in Tel Aviv
The average tuition fee in Tel Aviv is roughly in line with the national average. It largely depends on the level of the educational institution, the training program and the range of services provided.
Approximate prices for educational services:
- public kindergarten - free stay during regular time and paid extended day groups - 850 ₪ ($ 229.5) per month;
- private kindergarten - 1,000-3,000 ₪ (270-810 $) per month;
- public high school is free, but buying textbooks will require about 500 ($ 135) a year in the lower grades and about ₪ 1,000–1,500 ($ 270–405) in the older ones;
- private primary school - 39,300 ₪ (10,600 $) per year;
- higher education -11 000-35 000 ₪ per year (2970-9450 $) for foreign students 25% more expensive).
Paid medical services in Tel Aviv hospitals
In addition to the obligatory deductions for all Israeli citizens at the National Insurance Institute, it is possible to obtain a platinum insurance card that gives discounts on many types of medical services.
Modern medicine in Israel practically excludes self-medication, since most drugs are dispensed with a doctor's prescription. The average price of OTC drugs (for headache or sore throat) is 20-30 ₪ ($ 6-9).
If you are a foreigner and do not have local / travel insurance, treatment will cost approximately the following amounts:
- one doctor's visit - 1,700-2,500 ₪ ($ 455-669);
- one day in the hospital - 700 ₪ ($ 188);
- one day in the intensive care unit of the hospital - 1,400 ₪ ($ 375);
- delivery of tests - 549-915 ₪ (147-245 $);
- services of a medical broker-consultant - 10-15% in excess of the cost of medical services provided.
Prices for clothing, entertainment and household services
The cost of goods, services and entertainment in Tel Aviv traditionally exceeds the world average.
The cost of some entertainment in Tel Aviv:
| Night club | 1 person | 70–200 ₪ (19–55 $) |
| Theatre | 1 ticket for 1 person | 300–400 ₪ (81–107 $) |
| Cinema | 1 ticket for 1 person | 50–60 ₪ (14–17 $) |
| Tel-Aviv museum of Art | 1 ticket for 1 person | 57 ₪ (15 $) |
| Observation deck on the 49th floor of the Azrieli tower | 1 visit for 1 person | 22 ₪ (6 $) |
| Walk in Tel Aviv with a guide | 1 person | 449 ₪ (120 $) |
It should be borne in mind that the prices in Tel Aviv for clothes and shoes largely depend on the place of purchase. They will always be lower in the market or supermarket during sales.
Approximate prices for clothes and shoes in Tel Aviv:
| Name | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Levis 501 Jeans | 1 pair | 333 ₪ (89 $) |
| Dress at Zara / H & M | 1 PC | 225 ₪ (60 $) |
| Nike / Adidas Sneakers | 1 pair | 427 ₪ (114 $) |
| T-shirt / Shirt | 1 PC | from 55 ₪ (15–40 $) |
| Sandals | 1 pair | 187–374 ₪ (50-100 $) |
| Leather shoes | 1 pair | 524 ₪ (140 $) |
The price for cosmetic services in Tel Aviv, household goods or souvenirs directly depends on the place of service / purchase.
Average cost of cosmetics and souvenirs in Tel Aviv:
| Name | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury cream | 1 jar | 560 ₪ (150 $) |
| Local brand Sea of Spa cosmetics | 1 care product (cream, Dead Sea mud, scrubs) | 7–60 ₪ (2–17 $) |
| Diamond jewelry | 1 ring or earrings | 1 122–1 495 ₪ (300–400 $) |
| Souvenir magnet | 1 PC | 7–12 ₪ (2–3 $) |
| Souvenir mug | 1 PC | 22–27 ₪ (6–7 $) |
| Pilgrim's set (3 bottles with holy water, oil and salt) | 1 PC | 12–15 ₪ (3-4 $) |
| Healing hair mask | 1 PC | 19 ₪ (5 $) |
| Salt for bath | 0.5 kg | 12 ₪ (3 $) |
| The cost of personal / beauty services in Tel Aviv | ||
| Express manicure | 1 session | 40–60 ₪ (11–17 $) |
| Classic pedicure | 1 session | 140–200 ₪ (38–54 $) |
| Massage | 1 session (60 minutes) | 200 ₪ (54 $) |
| Professional photographer services | 1 photo session and photo editing | 500-700 ₪ (134–188 $) |
| Screen replacement for various iPhone models | 1 apparatus | 19–1 800 ₪ (6–482 $) |
| 24-hour laundry service | Wash for 30 minutes | 20 ₪ (5–6 $) |
Summarizing
When deciding whether it is expensive to live in Tel Aviv, one should be guided by the average world prices for similar groups of goods. Locals can save big on health care and education with free government facilities and minimal compulsory insurance. Food prices in Tel Aviv are much lower in markets, in fixed-price chains or at sales. Prices in fast food chains and restaurants are higher than the world average. Alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive.
Local cosmetics and ceramics are the most affordable souvenirs. The cost of personal services directly depends on the rating of the institution.
