According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, in the first nine months of 2016 the average Israeli monthly salary was 9,816.88 shekel, or roughly $2,578.00. This would make the average Israeli annual income for 2016 an estimated $3,8670. To compare, according to the Federal Social Security, the national average US wage index for 2015 was $48,098.63.
The website Numbeo.com compares the cost of living in various countries around the globe, so went there in search of a cost-comparison for the same items in Israel and the US. Naturally, the US is a very big place, so that the figures we cite probably vary a lot, but they should give us a general idea as to how far Israelis and Americans can stretch their income.
A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs on average in the US $12.09, in Israel $14.45.
A three-course meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant, costs, on average, $50 in the US, $52.53 in Israel.
Regular Cappuccino: $3.86 in the US, $3.19 in Israel.
Water (0.33 liter bottle): $1.37 in the US, $1.73 in Israel.
Regular Milk, 1 liter: $0.89 in the US, $1.50 in Israel.
A dozen eggs: $2.68 in the US, $3.29 in Israel.
1 kg Beef: $11.70 in the US, $16.75 in Israel.
One one-way local ticket on public transportation: $2.25 in the US, $1.55 in Israel.
Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage for basic apartment: $147.52 in the US, $172.27 in Israel.
3 bedroom apartment at city canter: $1,955.51 in the US, $1343.18 in Israel.
So, besides a lower rent, Israelis pay more for consumer goods, no doubt about it.
What about, say, healthcare?
According to Healthinsurance.com, average premiums and deductibles nationwide for unsubsidized individual coverage averaged $321 per month, while premiums for family plans averaged $833 per month.
The average annual deductible for individual plans was $4,358 and the average deductible for family plans was $7,983.
In Israel, at Israel’s most popular HMO, Maccabi, the average individual monthly rate is $31.54.
Numebo.com rates the quality of healthcare services in the US and Israel about the same. Medical staff performance is rated high to very high in all areas, consumer satisfaction is moderate in both countries.
The World Happiness Index’s Ranking of Happiness for 2013-2015 puts Israel in 11th place, the US in 13th. So maybe it’s OK to pay a little more for your burger, if they don’t impoverish you at the hospital afterwards.
Israel is in 8th place for longevity for both sexes, 82.5 is the average life expectancy. Israeli women rank 9th in the world, living up to 84.3; Israeli men are 5th, making it to 80.6 on average.
The US, alas, is 31st when it comes to living a long life, with a 79.3 average for both sexes. US females are 33rd, with 81.6 years on average; US males are 32nd, with 76.9 years.
So, if you were looking for proof that money don’t buy everything, we were glad to provide it. Come to Israel, where you’ll make a little less, buy a little less and live longer.