Cost of Living: Israel vs Japan

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

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Israel is 70.2% more expensive than Japan. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 154.0% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $170 in Israel for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 154.0%

Israel is 154.0% more expensive

Transportation 114.8%

Israel is 114.8% more expensive

Restaurants 92.7%

Israel is 92.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 70.2%

Israel is 70.2% more expensive than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Other Expenses +154.0%
  • Transportation +114.8%
  • Restaurants +92.7%

Is Israel cheaper than Japan?

No, Japan is cheaper than Israel

Overall, living costs in Japan are 70.2% lower than in Israel.

Where Japan is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 154.0% cheaper
  • Transportation 114.8% cheaper
  • Restaurants 92.7% cheaper

Where Japan is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 36.0% more expensive
  • Childcare 0.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Israel: 21.06 $ Japan: 7.01 $
200.4% more expensive in Israel

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Israel: 1,179.32 $ Japan: 624.64 $
88.8% more expensive in Israel

Monthly public transport pass

Israel: 66.27 $ Japan: 58.97 $
12.4% more expensive in Israel

1 liter of milk

Israel: 1.97 $ Japan: 1.56 $
26.3% more expensive in Israel

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Japan is indeed cheaper than Israel. You would spend approximately 70.2% on living expenses by choosing Japan over Israel. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

70.2%

Israel is 70.2% more expensive than Japan

Restaurants

92.7%

Israel is 92.7% more expensive than Japan in this category

Markets

7.3%

Israel is 7.3% more expensive than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

154.0%

Israel is 154.0% more expensive than Japan in this category

Transportation

114.8%

Israel is 114.8% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

36.2%

Israel is 36.2% more expensive than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

36.0%

Israel is 36.0% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

15.0%

Israel is 15.0% more expensive than Japan in this category

Childcare

0.4%

Israel is 0.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

72.4%

Israel is 72.4% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

73.4%

Israel is 73.4% more expensive than Japan in this category

Property Prices

61.0%

Israel is 61.0% more expensive than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

38.1%

Israel is 38.1% more expensive than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Israel Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 21.06 $ 7.01 $ 200.4%
Israel is 200.4% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 84.24 $ 35.03 $ 140.5%
Israel is 140.5% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 16.01 $ 5.61 $ 185.4%
Israel is 185.4% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 4.02 $ 3.36 $ 19.6%
Israel is 19.6% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.91 $ 1.12 $ 159.8%
Israel is 159.8% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 2.32 $ 0.82 $ 182.9%
Israel is 182.9% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.43 $ 0.94 $ 52.1%
Israel is 52.1% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 3.50 $ 2.32 $ 50.9%
Israel is 50.9% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.00 $ 8.42 $ 52.5%
Israel is 52.5% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 8.41 $ 11.20 $ 24.9%
Israel is 24.9% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.16 $ 2.04 $ 5.9%
Israel is 5.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.97 $ 1.56 $ 26.3%
Israel is 26.3% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.58 $ 1.59 $ 62.3%
Israel is 62.3% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.88 $ 4.51 $ 36.1%
Israel is 36.1% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 4.06 $ 2.24 $ 81.2%
Israel is 81.2% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 15.23 $ 12.14 $ 25.5%
Israel is 25.5% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 11.18 $ 6.92 $ 61.6%
Israel is 61.6% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 19.86 $ 17.18 $ 15.6%
Israel is 15.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 3.41 $ 5.37 $ 36.5%
Israel is 36.5% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.25 $ 2.62 $ 14.1%
Israel is 14.1% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.95 $ 4.78 $ 59.2%
Israel is 59.2% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.30 $ 4.84 $ 52.5%
Israel is 52.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.54 $ 2.85 $ 46.0%
Israel is 46.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.58 $ 2.65 $ 40.4%
Israel is 40.4% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.95 $ 1.39 $ 40.3%
Israel is 40.3% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 66.27 $ 58.97 $ 12.4%
Israel is 12.4% more expensive
Cigarettes (20 pack) 10.67 $ 4.20 $ 154.0%
Israel is 154.0% more expensive
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.68 $ 1.54 $ 9.1%
Israel is 9.1% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 4.77 $ 4.20 $ 13.6%
Israel is 13.6% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 0.84 $ 3.15 $ 73.3%
Israel is 73.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 31.34 $ 23.82 $ 31.6%
Israel is 31.6% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 2.03 $ 1.22 $ 66.4%
Israel is 66.4% more expensive
New Economy Car 44,929.94 $ 23,415.29 $ 91.9%
Israel is 91.9% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 43,964.10 $ 17,953.06 $ 144.9%
Israel is 144.9% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 243.77 $ 178.92 $ 36.2%
Israel is 36.2% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 11.42 $ 27.25 $ 58.1%
Israel is 58.1% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 28.86 $ 35.66 $ 19.1%
Israel is 19.1% cheaper
Gym Membership 69.20 $ 60.05 $ 15.2%
Israel is 15.2% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 20.55 $ 15.69 $ 31.0%
Israel is 31.0% more expensive
Movie Ticket 12.64 $ 13.31 $ 5.0%
Israel is 5.0% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,038.38 $ 348.57 $ 197.9%
Israel is 197.9% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 12,776.83 $ 13,519.03 $ 5.5%
Israel is 5.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 92.87 $ 49.02 $ 89.5%
Israel is 89.5% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 58.40 $ 32.77 $ 78.2%
Israel is 78.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 118.87 $ 63.16 $ 88.2%
Israel is 88.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 130.95 $ 87.75 $ 49.2%
Israel is 49.2% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,179.32 $ 624.64 $ 88.8%
Israel is 88.8% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 954.22 $ 424.63 $ 124.7%
Israel is 124.7% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,883.22 $ 1,366.33 $ 37.8%
Israel is 37.8% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,602.86 $ 825.90 $ 94.1%
Israel is 94.1% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 8,821.39 $ 6,447.80 $ 36.8%
Israel is 36.8% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 7,287.28 $ 3,555.73 $ 104.9%
Israel is 104.9% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 3,004.78 $ 2,177.14 $ 38.0%
Israel is 38.0% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.92 1.82 170.3%
Israel is 170.3% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. 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 Japan 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 Japan

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.

Japan

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 Japan

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