Holidays on the Red and Dead Seas, a visit to the Holy Land are already extraordinary events in themselves. But before planning such a trip, you need to find out what the prices are in Israel. This will determine the amount required for the trip.
Features of the budget of a resident of Israel
At the end of 2021, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics released data on the income and expenses of its residents.
The salary in Israel for men is 11,928 ILS (this is the designation of the new shekel), and for women - 8,188 ILS.
The monthly average family income (gross) is 20,027 shekels. The family's net income after taxes is ILS 16,518, of which NIS 13,114 is spent monthly, excluding housing maintenance costs.
Rent or mortgage payments for an apartment reach almost a quarter of the amount of expenses per month - 24.4%. And although Israel is considered to be an expensive country, a family living here on average accounts for 16.9% of their total spending on food. For comparison: the average Russian family spends about 30% of their monthly expenses on food.
An Israeli family spends about 20% of their budget per month on transport and payments for the services of mobile operators and Internet providers.
Israelis' food expenses
The price of basic foodstuffs (bread, salt, milk, eggs, cheese, butter) is controlled by the state. If we consider the cost of food in Israel for a normal, more or less balanced diet, the picture looks like this:
| Name | US dollars ($) | ILS |
|---|---|---|
| B aton white bread | from 2 to 7.14 | from 7 to 25 |
| Milk bottle, 1 l | 1.54 | 5.4 |
| Water bottle, 500 ml | 1.43 | 4.99 |
| Rice, 1 kg | 1.91 | 6.68 |
| Chicken eggs (ten) | 3.43 | 12 |
| Cheese, 1 kg | 15.65 | 54.78 |
| Chicken, 1 kg | 7.43 | 26 |
| Butter, 100 g | 1.09 | 3.8 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | 1.28 | 4.49 |
| Salt, 1 kg | 0.59 | 2.07 |
Food prices in Israel in major cities and popular resorts are higher than in desert and mountainous regions. With a limited budget, it makes sense to shop in the local market: the cost of fruits, vegetables and fish products there is lower than in small shops, and you can bargain and save a few more shekels.
The prices for groceries in supermarkets are practically the same as in the market. But if a large trading enterprise is located in a place that is popular with tourists, this rule does not apply: the management of such stores deliberately keeps prices at a high level.
Continuing the resort theme, we note that the level of prices in Israel in places where tourists are concentrated is not always significantly higher than in other regions. This is primarily about Eilat. Here food, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages, including vodka, are relatively cheap.
But the altruism of trade enterprises in this case has nothing to do with it: so that tourists do not often have a question why everything is so expensive in Israel, this resort area has the status of a free economic zone and preferential taxation is applied to Eilat entrepreneurs.
Food is even cheaper in the Arab quarters of the country's major cities. True, tourists will not see alcoholic beverages on store shelves there.
To estimate how much food costs in Israel, it is helpful to compare the prices of some foods with the world average. The table shows the prices of the 7th most populous city in the country - Netanya, in dollars.
| Name | US dollars ($) | ILS |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh white bread, 0.5 kg | 1.54 | 1.55 |
| Milk, 1 liter | 1.13 | 1.55 |
| Water, 0.33 l | 1.06 | 1.84 |
| Red meat, beef tenderloin, 1 kg | 10.93 | 21.67 |
| Chicken fillet | 7.01 | 8.8 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | 9.1 | 15.9 |
| Eggs, dozen | 2.23 | 3.59 |
| White rice, 1 kg | 2.18 | 2.3 |
| Wine, 0.75 L | 9.41 | 11.56 |
| Home-made beer, 0.33 l | 1.67 | 2.21 |
How much does it cost to eat in cafes and restaurants?
Food for tourists in Israel is organized at a high level. In general, across the country, the cost of food in the so-called food courts of the mall and inexpensive cafes is about the same.
The most common street food dishes are sandwiches and sandwiches. Their prices are quite reasonable. For example, in Jerusalem, you can buy a sandwich for 15 ILS (almost 275 rubles).
A conversation about how much it costs to have a quick meal in Israel would be incomplete without mentioning the legendary McDonald's fast food. We must say right away that residents of large cities eat in its restaurants extremely rarely due to the high cost of dishes: about 35 ILS (about $ 10) will have to be paid for just one serving of a kosher hamburger.
The reason for this price is in the peculiarities of the cooking technology: minced meat made today from healthy veal slaughtered in a special way cannot be used tomorrow. The cost of this expensive hamburger ingredient to be disposed of is included in its final price.
How much lunch costs in Israel depends on the category of the catering establishment, its status and the city in which it operates:
- The most expensive restaurants in Haifa. For a lunch for 2 persons from 3 courses, even in the middle price category, you will have to pay about 250-300 ILS.
- In Ashdod, on such conditions, you can dine for no more than 250 ILS.
- A similar menu in Jerusalem costs approximately ILS 210.
- A dinner in these establishments will cost one tourist somewhere in the range of 100-150 ILS.
Needless to say - the amount is quite significant, but the size of the portions and the quality of the dishes are quite consistent with it.
Housing costs
Usually, Russians interested in how to buy housing in Israel are worried about whether it will be possible to sell this property at a higher price. Of course, no one can give a guarantee. However, the high probability that events will develop according to the planned scenario is indicated by statistical data: according to them, residential premises in the country are most in demand in the secondary market.
Renting an apartment in Israel is a real option for getting more comfortable accommodation compared to hotel rooms. Square meters in this case are leased out with everything you need: telephone, air conditioning, microwave oven, kitchen utensils, Wi-Fi, washing machine.
The price range of the monthly cost of renting apartments, which directly affects the cost of living in Israel for a new immigrant:
One-room:
- sleeping area - 1,900-3,200 ILS;
- city center - 2,500-3,800 ILS.
Three-room:
- sleeping area - 3 200-5 500 ILS;
- city center - 4,500-6,700ILS.
Most of these transactions are carried out in Jerusalem - 11% of the total, in Tel Aviv - 8.5%, the least in Ashdod - only 4%.
A significant expense item is utilities in Israel. For example, their cost for an apartment with a total area of 85 m2 is on average 737.38 ILS (210.68 $). The world average value of this indicator is noticeably lower than -126.22 $.
Fare
More recently, the problem of transport in the country was acute, which was felt not only by tourists, but also by local residents. Today everything has changed for the better.
Public transport in Israel includes:
- route taxi. A trip by Tel Aviv commuter bus will cost ILS 5.96 ($ 1.7);
- tram. Runs only in Jerusalem. The fare from the city center to the suburb of Pistat Zeev is 6.35 ILS ($ 1.8);
- buses. One trip costs an average of 5.6 ILS (1.6 $);
- underground. The only line with a length of 2 km is laid in Haifa. To travel all 6 stations, you need to pay 6.4 ILS ($ 1.82);
- railway transport. Elderly people and students are eligible for reduced travel. The cost of a ticket, for example, from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport is 20 ILS ($ 5.71).
There is good news for travelers planning to rent cars to get acquainted with the sights of the country. From 01.01. By 2021, the price of gasoline per liter in Israel decreased by 18 agorot and is 6.04 ILS (about $ 1.73). Thus, a trip, for example, from Haifa to Tel Aviv with a fuel consumption of 8 l / 100 km is about 46 shekels ($ 13.14).
Education expenses
Since the creation of Israel, the country's authorities have been paying special attention to the educational system.And the achievements in this area are obvious: in terms of the number of university graduates per citizen, the state is in second place in the world.
The education system in Israel includes:
- preschool education. Attending kindergarten for a child under 3 years old costs his parents 3,000 ILS (approximately 54,500 rubles):
- secondary education. Provided to all Israeli citizens free of charge. Money is charged for additional lessons and textbooks. Schoolchildren travel to different cities once a year, with a maximum duration of 2-3 days. The payment is made by the parents of the students. The cost per student is approximately ILS 1000 / year;
- higher education. To become a student of a university, in addition to providing a certificate of maturity, the applicant will need to pass a psychometric test. Its results have been valid for 7 years. The fee is charged in all universities in Israel, its size ranges from 12,000 to 50,000 ILS per year. Benefits are possible.
Medical costs
Medicine in Israel has been considered one of the best in the world for many years. The health care system in the country is paid. It provides for compulsory health insurance.
The amount of the insurance premium, depending on the health insurance fund, the age of the citizen and the range of services, ranges from several tens to several hundred USD. The health insurance fund is an institution that provides insurance services in addition to health care services.
The cost of contributions depends on income:
- private entrepreneurs pay 3.1% of the share of income, which is below 60 percent of the average wage in the country. On the part of income exceeding 60%, the entrepreneur pays 5 percent;
- new repatriates are exempted from making contributions for a year after obtaining citizenship;
- children under 18 years of age use the insurance services free of charge through the parents' cashier.
Medical insurance rates also depend on the period of validity, the number of services and the age of the client.
| Age | Maximum duration of insurance, days | Cost per day, $ |
|---|---|---|
| up to 49 | Up to 180 | 2.4 |
| from 50 to 59 | Up to 90 | 2.4 |
| from 60 to 65 | Up to 90 | 3.9 |
| from 66 to 75 | Up to 45 | 4.5 |
Israeli medicines are popular in all countries. To get an idea of the level of prices for drugs in pharmacies in the country, see the data in the table:
| Medication type | Name | Price, ILS |
|---|---|---|
| Antihistamines | "Azolin" 0.05%, drops 15 ml | 22 |
| "Fenistil" gel 30 mg | 42.66 | |
| Erius syrup | 15.25 | |
| Diabetic | "Amaryl" | 24.82 |
| "Tamoxifen" 20 mg, 30 tablets. | 170.8 | |
| "Metformin" 850 mg, 84 tablets. | 14.91 | |
| Pain relievers | "Advil" 200 mg, 20 gel capsules | 130 |
| "Optalgin" 500 mg, 20 tab. | 18.1 | |
| "Akamol" 500 mg, 21 tablets. | 18.01 |
Prices for clothing and household appliances
Prices in Israel for clothes are quite high, but shopping is very convenient - in many retail outlets, sellers speak Russian. The cost of some types of clothing is presented below.
| Type of clothing | Cost $ | ILS cost |
|---|---|---|
| Knitted dress | 30-120 | 100-400 |
| Shirt | 15-45 | 50-150 |
| Shorts | 15-45 | 50-150 |
| Jeans | 30-145 | 100-500 |
| Down jacket | 145-300 | 500-1000 |
| Leather Jacket | 200-430 | 700-1500 |
Prices in stores in Israel for household appliances fluctuate in a wide range.
| Household appliances | Cost $ | ILS cost |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | 570-1140 | 2000-4000 |
| 33 inch TV | 260-2285 | 900-8000 |
| Iron | 22-40 | 80-150 |
| Microwave | 130-710 | 450-2500 |
| Washer | 430-1140 | 1500-4000 |
| Refrigerator 600 liters | 570-3400 | 2000-12000 |
| IPhone smartphones | 500-850 | 1750-2975 |
Other expenses
A tourist who has visited the Holy Land is simply obliged to bring something from there. Therefore, it will be useful for him to know what can be bought in Israel for 100 shekels as a keepsake of the country. From this point of view, the most popular are metal candlesticks with decorations and carvings. They are called "minor". Such a product costs about 70 ILS (about $ 20). And for the remaining 30 shekels, you can purchase Ahava cosmetics from the DeadSee line.
Handmade silk tablecloths are in high demand. On sale you can find a copy, the cost of which is exactly 100 ILS.
Other souvenirs worth buying:
- hamsa pendant, which protects from the evil eye;
- kipu - a Jewish hat decorated with embroidery.
It is impossible to ignore the costs of entertainment and excursions to various historical sites. For example, the cost of 1 ticket to visit the underwater observatory located in Eilat is 99 ILS. The entrance to the Rosh HaNikra Karst Cave will cost 40 ILS, and 35 ILS to the Tower of David in Jerusalem (child - 18 ILS, pensioner - 20 ILS). Bahai Gardens (Haifa) and the site of the baptism of Jesus can be viewed free of charge.
Life in the villages of Israel has features that are characteristic only of this country. Along with the kibbutzim, agricultural communities - "moshav" became widespread. They consist of individual farms.
Such settlements are of two types:
- “Moshav ovidim” (from Hebrew - “worker”). The principle of joint purchase, delivery and advertising of products operates here. The main unit of production and consumption is the household or family;
- “Moshav shitufi” (from Hebrew - “collective”). Land cultivation is carried out on a collective basis, the profit received from joint activities is divided equally. Only workers hired outside the community pay taxes.
Many moshav villages began to specialize in tourism. In particular, the settlement of Amirim located in the north of Israel has become a popular holiday destination for Israelis and guests of the country. This vegetarian center has specialized restaurants, a series of hotels and spas.
Differences in prices in different cities of Israel
In early January 2021, the CSB published data on the standard of living in Israeli cities, taking into account the average cost of food, utilities and other socio-economic indicators. Highest prices in Tel Aviv. The group of expensive large settlements also includes Rishon LeZion, Givatayim Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan and Rehovot.
The poorest cities are Nazareth, Ofakim, Modiin Ilit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak. But the prices are also more affordable.
Interestingly, Jerusalem received only a “four” on a 10-point scale.
Conclusion
Israel is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The prices for housing, food, clothing depend not only on the city or neighborhood in which the purchase is made, but often even on the street. The cost of living is highest in Tel Aviv, while Jerusalem is ranked in the middle for this indicator.
