This weekend has seen unprecedented demonstrations in Israel against the high cost of living, drawing a reaction from the government that this is a problem which it must speedily address.  But, from the point of view of the foreign businessman working in Israel’s capital, just how expensive is it?

The cost of living in any city depends, unsurprisingly, on what you buy and how you identify those expenses which are essential and separate them out from those expenses that are merely desirable. However, there is some small guidance available in the internet.  Sites such as Numbeo, for example, offer a pull-down menu that give you a simple guide to overall costs, together with hotel and property prices. Further databases for other topics such as healthcare and pollution are currently under development. You can try Numbeo for yourself here.

Another service, which you have to register for, is Xpatulator.com, which offers data relating to the cost of living and salary purchasing power — which can be useful if you are planning to engage full-time staff.  Of Jerusalem, Expatulator.com says

“Jerusalem has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Jerusalem is currently ranked 98 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 300 international locations”.

You can try Xpatulator.com for yourself here.