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Tel Aviv vs Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi runs about 18% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 666 USD a month.

Tel Aviv-Yafo City Hall and Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, Israel. View from Gan Ha'ir Tower
Tel Aviv
$3,626/month · Israel
Anagoria · CC BY 3.0
View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tel Aviv monthly
$3,626
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-18%
Abu Dhabi relative to Tel Aviv
Rent gap
$300
Tel Aviv costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Tel AvivAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Tel Aviv $2,000, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Food
    Food: Tel Aviv $966, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Tel Aviv $124, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Tel Aviv $176, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Tel Aviv.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Tel Aviv $28, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Tel Aviv.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Tel Aviv $212, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Other
    Other: Tel Aviv $120, Abu Dhabi $93. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricTel AvivAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost3,626 USD2,960 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5746✓
Housing2,000 USD1,700 USD✓
Utilities176 USD✓255 USD
Food966 USD597 USD✓
Transport124 USD83 USD✓
Healthcare28 USD✓42 USD
Lifestyle212 USD191 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,560 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate33.3%0.0%✓
Left over each month1,934 USD5,373 USD✓
Average local net salary3,200 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD1,700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre11,000 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety64/10092/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓80/100
Air quality60/100✓52/100
Public transport72/100✓55/100
Walkability88/100✓45/100
English proficiency84/10086/100✓
Nightlife94/100✓66/100
Family friendliness74/10080/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps290 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature21°C✓28°C
Summer high31°C✓42°C
Winter low10°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,300 h3,400 h✓
Annual rainfall530 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access5 min✓15 min
CurrencyILSAED
Time zoneAsia/JerusalemAsia/Dubai

Abu Dhabi runs about 18% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 666 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Tel AvivCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Tel Aviv vs DubaiTel Aviv vs DohaTel Aviv vs Riyadh
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tel Aviv or Abu Dhabi cheaper?

Abu Dhabi runs about 18% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 666 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Abu Dhabi compared with Tel Aviv?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,560 a month in Tel Aviv and $8,333 in Abu Dhabi, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Tel Aviv or Abu Dhabi?

Tel Aviv scores 64/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Abu Dhabi scores 92 and 80. Tel Aviv averages 21°C against 28°C in Abu Dhabi.