Haifa, a vibrant city in Israel, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living in Haifa is crucial for both residents and newcomers, as it encompasses various aspects such as housing, dining, transportation, and more.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the average costs associated with living in Haifa, helping you make informed decisions about your lifestyle and budget.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $18.72 on average, with a range between $13.37 and $26.74.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $66.85, with prices ranging from $42.78 to $120.32.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $14.71, with a range between $13.37 and $16.04.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5.35 to $9.36, imported beer $4.01 to $9.63, cappuccino $2.67 to $4.81, and Coke/Pepsi $1.87 to $3.74.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.6 and $2.46 per liter, averaging $1.96.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.34 and $4.55, with an average price of $2.79.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.07 to $5.06, averaging $3.89.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.6 to $3.48 per kg, while oranges range from $1.07 to $2.67 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.8 and $2.01 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.07 to $2.67 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.47 and $1.6, with a monthly pass priced between $57.22 and $64.27.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.81 and $2.11 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.21, with a cost of $0.5 to $2.67 per km and $22.94 to $32.09 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $561.51 to $1069.55, averaging $820.46.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $588.25 to $855.64, averaging $687.34.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1016.07 to $1871.72, averaging $1356.64.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $828.9 to $1443.89, averaging $1137.1.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $5080.37 to $8021.64, averaging $6328.18.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $3476.04 to $5882.53, averaging $5197.8.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $160.43 and $320.87, averaging $232.96.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $21.39 to $37.43, with an average cost of $26.98.
Worldwide
Israel

Cost of Living Rankings

Haifa ranks 3rd on the Cost of Living rankings in Israel. The cost of living indices for Israel are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Israel, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 151 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$18.72
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$66.85
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$14.71
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.69
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.96
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.79
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.89
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.88
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$9.36
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$9.89
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.64
Apples (1kg)
$2.80
Oranges (1kg)
$1.64
Potato (1kg)
$1.32
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.76
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.67
Tomato (1kg)
$2.09
Banana (1kg)
$1.99
Onion (1kg)
$1.41
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$19.78
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.60
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.16
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.92
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$43,584.23
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.68
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.80
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.41
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$41,488.80
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$820.46
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$687.34
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,356.64
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,137.10
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$232.96
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$26.98
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$9.53
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$69.86
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.38
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.90
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.97
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$51.81
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$107.37
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$101.61
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$6,328.18
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$5,197.80
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,579.69
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
4.44%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$980.42
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$3,743.43
Haifa Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Haifa offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in Israel, especially in terms of housing and transportation.

Dining out can vary significantly in price, offering options for both budget-conscious individuals and those seeking upscale experiences.

Grocery prices are moderate, with some variation in the cost of fresh produce and dairy products.

Public transportation is economical, and the cost of gasoline is competitive, making commuting manageable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Haifa presents a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for both locals and expatriates.

With reasonable housing costs and affordable transportation, the city provides a comfortable lifestyle without the high expenses associated with larger metropolitan areas.

Prospective residents should consider their personal lifestyle preferences and budget to make the most of what Haifa has to offer.