Cost of Living: Israel vs Australia

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Israel and Australia.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Israel is 14.3% cheaper than Australia. The biggest difference is in Transportation, where costs are 72.6% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Australia, you would spend about $86 in Israel for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 65.7%

Israel is 65.7% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 49.4%

Israel is 49.4% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 17.0%

Israel is 17.0% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 14.3%

Israel is 14.3% cheaper than Australia

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +72.6%
  • Household Utilities +38.6%
  • Property Prices +35.6%

Is Israel cheaper than Australia?

Yes, Israel is cheaper than Australia

Overall, living costs in Israel are 14.3% lower than in Australia.

Where Israel is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 65.7% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 49.4% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 17.0% cheaper

Where Israel is more expensive:

  • Transportation 72.6% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 38.6% more expensive
  • Property Prices 35.6% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Israel: 21.06 $ Australia: 16.22 $
29.8% more expensive in Israel

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Israel: 1,179.32 $ Australia: 1,381.57 $
14.6% cheaper in Israel

Monthly public transport pass

Israel: 66.27 $ Australia: 97.35 $
31.9% cheaper in Israel

1 liter of milk

Israel: 1.97 $ Australia: 1.53 $
28.8% more expensive in Israel

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Israel is indeed cheaper than Australia. You would save approximately 14.3% on living expenses by choosing Israel over Australia. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

14.3%

Israel is 14.3% cheaper than Australia

Restaurants

15.4%

Israel is 15.4% more expensive than Australia in this category

Markets

12.5%

Israel is 12.5% cheaper than Australia in this category

Other Expenses

65.7%

Israel is 65.7% cheaper than Australia in this category

Transportation

72.6%

Israel is 72.6% more expensive than Australia in this category

Household Utilities

38.6%

Israel is 38.6% more expensive than Australia in this category

Mobile and Internet

49.4%

Israel is 49.4% cheaper than Australia in this category

Sports And Leisure

30.8%

Israel is 30.8% more expensive than Australia in this category

Childcare

0.8%

Israel is 0.8% cheaper than Australia in this category

Clothing And Shoes

20.0%

Israel is 20.0% more expensive than Australia in this category

Rent Per Month

14.1%

Israel is 14.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Property Prices

35.6%

Israel is 35.6% more expensive than Australia in this category

Salaries And Financing

17.0%

Israel is 17.0% cheaper than Australia in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Israel Australia Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 21.06 $ 16.22 $ 29.8%
Israel is 29.8% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 84.24 $ 77.88 $ 8.2%
Israel is 8.2% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 16.01 $ 9.73 $ 64.5%
Israel is 64.5% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 4.02 $ 3.48 $ 15.5%
Israel is 15.5% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.91 $ 2.62 $ 11.1%
Israel is 11.1% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 2.32 $ 2.16 $ 7.4%
Israel is 7.4% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.43 $ 1.51 $ 5.3%
Israel is 5.3% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 3.50 $ 5.69 $ 38.5%
Israel is 38.5% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.00 $ 1.29 $ 210.1%
Israel is 210.1% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 8.41 $ 7.97 $ 5.5%
Israel is 5.5% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.16 $ 1.43 $ 51.0%
Israel is 51.0% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.97 $ 1.53 $ 28.8%
Israel is 28.8% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.58 $ 2.45 $ 5.3%
Israel is 5.3% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.88 $ 2.05 $ 40.5%
Israel is 40.5% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 4.06 $ 4.31 $ 5.8%
Israel is 5.8% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 15.23 $ 8.89 $ 71.3%
Israel is 71.3% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 11.18 $ 8.44 $ 32.5%
Israel is 32.5% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 19.86 $ 13.88 $ 43.1%
Israel is 43.1% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 3.41 $ 3.19 $ 6.9%
Israel is 6.9% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.25 $ 2.75 $ 18.2%
Israel is 18.2% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.95 $ 2.93 $ 33.4%
Israel is 33.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.30 $ 4.30 $ 46.5%
Israel is 46.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.54 $ 2.47 $ 37.7%
Israel is 37.7% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.58 $ 2.14 $ 26.2%
Israel is 26.2% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.95 $ 2.22 $ 12.2%
Israel is 12.2% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 66.27 $ 97.35 $ 31.9%
Israel is 31.9% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 10.67 $ 31.15 $ 65.7%
Israel is 65.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.68 $ 2.92 $ 42.5%
Israel is 42.5% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 4.77 $ 3.89 $ 22.6%
Israel is 22.6% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 0.84 $ 1.88 $ 55.3%
Israel is 55.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 31.34 $ 37.90 $ 17.3%
Israel is 17.3% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 2.03 $ 1.18 $ 72.0%
Israel is 72.0% more expensive
New Economy Car 44,929.94 $ 28,829.12 $ 55.8%
Israel is 55.8% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 43,964.10 $ 22,658.59 $ 94.0%
Israel is 94.0% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 243.77 $ 175.90 $ 38.6%
Israel is 38.6% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 11.42 $ 26.66 $ 57.2%
Israel is 57.2% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 28.86 $ 52.98 $ 45.5%
Israel is 45.5% cheaper
Gym Membership 69.20 $ 47.43 $ 45.9%
Israel is 45.9% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 20.55 $ 16.59 $ 23.9%
Israel is 23.9% more expensive
Movie Ticket 12.64 $ 14.28 $ 11.5%
Israel is 11.5% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,038.38 $ 1,570.69 $ 33.9%
Israel is 33.9% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 12,776.83 $ 12,354.33 $ 3.4%
Israel is 3.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 92.87 $ 71.57 $ 29.8%
Israel is 29.8% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 58.40 $ 50.87 $ 14.8%
Israel is 14.8% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 118.87 $ 102.13 $ 16.4%
Israel is 16.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 130.95 $ 109.73 $ 19.3%
Israel is 19.3% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,179.32 $ 1,381.57 $ 14.6%
Israel is 14.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 954.22 $ 1,095.96 $ 12.9%
Israel is 12.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,883.22 $ 2,332.99 $ 19.3%
Israel is 19.3% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,602.86 $ 1,729.44 $ 7.3%
Israel is 7.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 8,821.39 $ 6,794.53 $ 29.8%
Israel is 29.8% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 7,287.28 $ 5,084.33 $ 43.3%
Israel is 43.3% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 3,004.78 $ 3,619.71 $ 17.0%
Israel is 17.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.92 6.35 22.5%
Israel is 22.5% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Australia. Enter your monthly expenses in Israel to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Israel and Australia goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Israel vs Australia

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Israel

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.
  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Australia

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Israel Cost of living in Australia

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