Cost of Living: Israel vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Israel and United Kingdom.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Israel is 15.8% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 47.5% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $84 in Israel for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 47.5%

Israel is 47.5% cheaper

Childcare 38.1%

Israel is 38.1% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 32.7%

Israel is 32.7% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 15.8%

Israel is 15.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Property Prices +41.3%
  • Sports And Leisure +35.4%
  • Clothing And Shoes +18.2%

Is Israel cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Israel is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Israel are 15.8% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Israel is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 47.5% cheaper
  • Childcare 38.1% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 32.7% cheaper

Where Israel is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 41.3% more expensive
  • Sports And Leisure 35.4% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 18.2% more expensive

Practical Examples

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Israel: 1,179.32 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
16.4% cheaper in Israel

Monthly public transport pass

Israel: 66.27 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
30.2% cheaper in Israel

1 liter of milk

Israel: 1.97 $ United Kingdom: 1.69 $
16.6% more expensive in Israel

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Israel is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 15.8% on living expenses by choosing Israel over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

15.8%

Israel is 15.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

4.5%

Israel is 4.5% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

10.3%

Israel is 10.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

47.5%

Israel is 47.5% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

12.7%

Israel is 12.7% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

24.4%

Israel is 24.4% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

32.7%

Israel is 32.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

35.4%

Israel is 35.4% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

38.1%

Israel is 38.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

18.2%

Israel is 18.2% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

16.7%

Israel is 16.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

41.3%

Israel is 41.3% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

7.0%

Israel is 7.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Israel United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 21.06 $ 20.35 $ 3.5%
Israel is 3.5% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 84.24 $ 88.17 $ 4.5%
Israel is 4.5% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 16.01 $ 10.17 $ 57.4%
Israel is 57.4% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 4.02 $ 4.62 $ 13.0%
Israel is 13.0% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.91 $ 2.41 $ 20.7%
Israel is 20.7% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 2.32 $ 1.72 $ 34.9%
Israel is 34.9% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.43 $ 1.53 $ 6.5%
Israel is 6.5% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.00 $ 1.17 $ 241.9%
Israel is 241.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.97 $ 1.69 $ 16.6%
Israel is 16.6% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.58 $ 1.67 $ 54.5%
Israel is 54.5% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.88 $ 2.21 $ 30.3%
Israel is 30.3% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 4.06 $ 4.03 $ 0.7%
Israel is 0.7% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 15.23 $ 9.73 $ 56.5%
Israel is 56.5% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 11.18 $ 8.96 $ 24.8%
Israel is 24.8% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 19.86 $ 16.31 $ 21.8%
Israel is 21.8% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 3.41 $ 2.97 $ 14.8%
Israel is 14.8% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.25 $ 1.64 $ 37.2%
Israel is 37.2% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 1.95 $ 2.88 $ 32.3%
Israel is 32.3% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.30 $ 3.54 $ 35.0%
Israel is 35.0% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.54 $ 1.65 $ 6.7%
Israel is 6.7% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.58 $ 1.55 $ 1.9%
Israel is 1.9% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 1.95 $ 1.14 $ 71.1%
Israel is 71.1% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 66.27 $ 94.95 $ 30.2%
Israel is 30.2% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 10.67 $ 20.33 $ 47.5%
Israel is 47.5% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.68 $ 3.26 $ 48.5%
Israel is 48.5% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 4.77 $ 5.43 $ 12.2%
Israel is 12.2% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.84 $ 2.41 $ 65.1%
Israel is 65.1% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 31.34 $ 27.13 $ 15.5%
Israel is 15.5% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 2.03 $ 1.95 $ 4.1%
Israel is 4.1% more expensive
New Economy Car 44,929.94 $ 38,367.32 $ 17.1%
Israel is 17.1% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 43,964.10 $ 40,488.21 $ 8.6%
Israel is 8.6% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 243.77 $ 322.47 $ 24.4%
Israel is 24.4% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 11.42 $ 17.46 $ 34.6%
Israel is 34.6% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 28.86 $ 42.38 $ 31.9%
Israel is 31.9% cheaper
Gym Membership 69.20 $ 46.25 $ 49.6%
Israel is 49.6% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 20.55 $ 15.82 $ 29.9%
Israel is 29.9% more expensive
Movie Ticket 12.64 $ 13.56 $ 6.8%
Israel is 6.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,038.38 $ 1,710.49 $ 39.3%
Israel is 39.3% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 12,776.83 $ 20,621.65 $ 38.0%
Israel is 38.0% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 92.87 $ 90.04 $ 3.1%
Israel is 3.1% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 58.40 $ 44.62 $ 30.9%
Israel is 30.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 118.87 $ 101.31 $ 17.3%
Israel is 17.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 130.95 $ 103.43 $ 26.6%
Israel is 26.6% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,179.32 $ 1,411.39 $ 16.4%
Israel is 16.4% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 954.22 $ 1,145.39 $ 16.7%
Israel is 16.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,883.22 $ 2,337.19 $ 19.4%
Israel is 19.4% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,602.86 $ 1,852.21 $ 13.5%
Israel is 13.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 8,821.39 $ 6,334.38 $ 39.3%
Israel is 39.3% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 7,287.28 $ 5,062.78 $ 43.9%
Israel is 43.9% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 3,004.78 $ 3,229.12 $ 6.9%
Israel is 6.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.92 5.75 14.4%
Israel is 14.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

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

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.

United Kingdom

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 United Kingdom

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