Cost Of Living in Ramallah 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Ramallah

Whether you're living in Ramallah or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

920 USD

per month

71 USD
9,200 USD

Single

640 USD

per month

210 USD
4,300 USD

Couple

1,100 USD

per month

350 USD
5,700 USD

Family

1,400 USD

per month

500 USD
7,800 USD

Student

430 USD

per month

170 USD
770 USD
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Ramallah is 640 USD. Expenses can range from 210 USD at the minimum level to 4,300 USD at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Ramallah is 1,100 USD. Expenditure can range from 350 USD to 5,700 USD per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Ramallah is 1,400 USD per month. Families spend anywhere from 500 USD to 7,800 USD.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Ramallah is 430 USD. Students spend from 170 USD to 770 USD per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Ramallah


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
0.13 USD 0.14 USD 0.16 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fast food combo meal
1.1 USD 2.1 USD 3.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Restaurant meal for one
3.4 USD 5 USD 10 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fine dining meal for one
6.7 USD 10 USD 40 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Soda or Soft Drink
0.15 USD 0.18 USD 0.21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Cappuccino or latte
0.89 USD 1.4 USD 2.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
0.71 USD 0.85 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Loaf of bread
0.13 USD 0.15 USD 0.17 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
12 eggs
0.53 USD 0.71 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fresh whole chicken
1.2 USD 1.6 USD 2.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
1.4 USD 2.1 USD 4.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
0.57 USD 0.78 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
0.21 USD 0.28 USD 0.53 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
0.38 USD 0.50 USD 0.82 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
0.84 USD 1 USD 2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car full tank
5.3 USD 7.1 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car 1-day rental
4.8 USD 6.3 USD 9.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Average car price
2,700 USD 5,300 USD 7,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Bus ticket one way
0.16 USD 0.24 USD 0.48 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Car Service
6.3 USD 9.5 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
13 USD 38 USD 260 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Couple
18 USD 53 USD 280 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Utility Bill - Family
15 USD 43 USD 230 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Internet and cable
5.3 USD 11 USD 14 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Mobile phone charges
4.3 USD 7.1 USD 21 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
2.7 USD 3.5 USD 5.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
One month gym membership
7.6 USD 9.5 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
5.6 USD 7.9 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman dress
5.3 USD 7.3 USD 24 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Woman shoes
5 USD 6.8 USD 16 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men's shoes
4.3 USD 5.3 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Men suit
4.8 USD 5.9 USD 32 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Regular t-shirt
2.4 USD 3.2 USD 9.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
79 USD 120 USD 320 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
120 USD 190 USD 480 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
160 USD 240 USD 630 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
16,000 USD 24,000 USD 48,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
19,000 USD 32,000 USD 120,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
32,000 USD 95,000 USD 190,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
110 USD 130 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Double Bed
71 USD 110 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Single Bed
63 USD 82 USD 110 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Living Room
120 USD 150 USD 530 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Dining Table
53 USD 71 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Sofa or Couch
71 USD 97 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
71 USD 110 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Fridge or Freezer
63 USD 97 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Washing Machine
82 USD 120 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Stove or Cooker
76 USD 97 USD 130 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Mobile Phone
89 USD 110 USD 150 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Laptop or Computer
97 USD 120 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Ramallah

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

73%

67% to 80%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%4%
50% - 60%9%
60% - 70%15%
70% - 80%25%
80% - 90%21%
90% - 100%11%
100% - 110%6%
110% - 120%4%
120% - 130%3%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Ramallah is 73% This means that on average, people spend around 73% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 15% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
65%
Spending-Income-Ratio
60%
72%

Couple
69%
Spending-Income-Ratio
63%
76%

Family
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio
70%
84%

How do people spend their money in Ramallah?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure23%

23% of total expenses on average (12% to 31%)

LOW21 USD
AVERAGE280 USD
HIGH2,800 USD
Per Month

People living in Ramallah typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 280 USD with expenditure ranging from 21 USD to 2,800 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)

LOW3.5 USD
AVERAGE46 USD
HIGH460 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Ramallah ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 46 USD with 3.5 USD and 460 USD being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW7.1 USD
AVERAGE92 USD
HIGH920 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 7.1 USD to 920 USD on commuting with 92 USD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

Food and Groceries Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)

LOW18 USD
AVERAGE230 USD
HIGH2,300 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Ramallah is 230 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 18 USD to 2,300 USD. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services10%

10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)

LOW5 USD
AVERAGE65 USD
HIGH650 USD
Per Month

People in Ramallah allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 5 USD to 650 USD with 65 USD being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW2.8 USD
AVERAGE37 USD
HIGH370 USD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2.8 USD to 370 USD with 37 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Education and Schooling5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW4.3 USD
AVERAGE55 USD
HIGH550 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 55 USD per month with 4.3 USD being the minimum spent amount and 550 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW9.2 USD
AVERAGE120 USD
HIGH1,200 USD
Per Month

How much money can you save in Ramallah every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Ramallah manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
50%
Not Saving
50%

Almost 50% of the surveyed people in Ramallah said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 50% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Ramallah

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles54%46%
Couples50%50%
Families46%54%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

7.7% 14% of income 25%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

24 USD 320 USD 3,200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 7.7% to 25% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 14% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 320 USD on average with savings ranging from 24 USD to 3,200 USD.

54% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 50% of couples said the same. 46% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Ramallah?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

10% 17% of income 27%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

73 USD 220 USD 1,500 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%10%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 10% to 27% of their monthly income to savings, with 17% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 220 USD with 73 USD and 1,500 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

8.6% 15% of income 26%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

120 USD 360 USD 1,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%37%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%7%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 8.6% to 26% of their monthly income, with 15% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 360 USD with 120 USD and 1,900 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

7.7% 13% of income 23%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

170 USD 480 USD 2,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%40%
10% - 20%30%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%4%
40% - 50%4%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Ramallah can save anywhere between 7.7% to 23% of their monthly income, with 13% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 480 USD with 170 USD and 2,700 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Affordable living in Ramallah

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Ramallah?


Yes
51%
No
49%

Around 51% of surveyed residents think that living in Ramallah is affordable with proper budgeting while 49% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Ramallah

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options49%

Few low-cost options51%


Based on the survey, 49% of the people living in Ramallah have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 51% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Ramallah whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes49%

No51%


Based on the survey, 51% of the people living in Ramallah said that they don't have an emergency fund while 49% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Palestine

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy55%


We asked residents of Palestine whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 45% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 55% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Palestine have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 44% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 56% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance44%

Easily manages finances56%

Financial goals of people in Ramallah

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Ramallah, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction44%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing6%
Travel or Lifestyle6%
Healthcare Expenses14%
Financial Independence4%

Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 44% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Ramallah

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Ramallah. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans13%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending12%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later21%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Ramallah

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold13%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings21%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Ramallah

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Ramallah and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Palestine is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Ramallah:
AgeAmount
252,500 USD
304,900 USD
358,700 USD
4012,000 USD
4519,000 USD
5026,000 USD
5531,000 USD
6038,000 USD
6546,000 USD

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Ramallah about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions12%
Savings23%
Investments12%
Social Security7%
Annuities7%
Part-time Job15%
Real Estate18%
Dividends and Interest7%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Ramallah

160 USD 470 USD 3,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Ramallah


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
26%
Debt Free
74%

According to the survey, 26% of the people in Ramallah have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 74% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Ramallah

Debt to income ratio

26%

19% to 33%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 26% of the people's monthly income in Ramallah goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%19%
40% - 50%15%
30% - 40%17%
20% - 30%10%
10% - 20%11%
0% - 10%25%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Ramallah pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Ramallah

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage8%
Auto Loan14%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card30%
Personal Loan44%

8% of debtors in Ramallah confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Ramallah.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Ramallah

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Ramallah how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never50%
Once a year24%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Ramallah

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Ramallah

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
79 USD 120 USD 320 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
120 USD 190 USD 480 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
160 USD 240 USD 630 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
190 USD 320 USD 870 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Furnished apartment
380 USD 950 USD 1,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
320 USD 480 USD 1,400 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
380 USD 950 USD 1,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
480 USD 1,200 USD 1,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Ramallah ranges between 79 USD and 320 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 120 USD to 480 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 160 USD and 630 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 190 USD to 870 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in Ramallah is around 480 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 950 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 480 USD to 1,900 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Ramallah

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
16,000 USD 24,000 USD 48,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
1-bedroom apartment
19,000 USD 32,000 USD 120,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
2-bedroom apartment
32,000 USD 95,000 USD 190,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
3-bedroom apartment
110,000 USD 160,000 USD 480,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Townhouse
140,000 USD 320,000 USD 1.2M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
House
160,000 USD 950,000 USD 1.4M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Villa
190,000 USD 1.1M USD 1.6M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in Ramallah can range from 16,000 USD to 48,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 19,000 USD to 120,000 USD. A villa can cost you 1.1M USD on average with prices ranging from 190,000 USD to 1.6M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Ramallah will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


30 x86 monthly income 171
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Ramallah can be x86 to x171 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x86 multiples of the average monthly salary in Ramallah.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


17% 26% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Ramallah is around 26%. This means that people pay 26% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 17% to 34% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
24%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.8%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


1.4 USD 18 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Ramallah

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (17% to 41%)

LOW77 USD
AVERAGE230 USD
HIGH1,500 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water9%

9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)

LOW13 USD
AVERAGE38 USD
HIGH260 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW17 USD
AVERAGE51 USD
HIGH340 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)

LOW34 USD
AVERAGE100 USD
HIGH680 USD
Per Month

Healthcare12%

12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)

LOW19 USD
AVERAGE57 USD
HIGH380 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)

LOW11 USD
AVERAGE32 USD
HIGH210 USD
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW4.3 USD
AVERAGE13 USD
HIGH85 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses22%

22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW38 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH770 USD
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Ramallah

Housing26%

26% of total expenses on average (19% to 36%)

LOW120 USD
AVERAGE350 USD
HIGH1,900 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)

LOW18 USD
AVERAGE53 USD
HIGH280 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel9%

9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)

LOW43 USD
AVERAGE130 USD
HIGH680 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries17%

17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)

LOW50 USD
AVERAGE150 USD
HIGH790 USD
Per Month

Healthcare14%

14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)

LOW39 USD
AVERAGE120 USD
HIGH620 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW21 USD
AVERAGE64 USD
HIGH340 USD
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW7.1 USD
AVERAGE21 USD
HIGH110 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses21%

21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)

LOW60 USD
AVERAGE180 USD
HIGH960 USD
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Ramallah

Housing25%

25% of total expenses on average (20% to 35%)

LOW160 USD
AVERAGE450 USD
HIGH2,500 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW40 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH620 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries21%

21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)

LOW89 USD
AVERAGE260 USD
HIGH1,400 USD
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)

LOW40 USD
AVERAGE110 USD
HIGH620 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW25 USD
AVERAGE71 USD
HIGH390 USD
Per Month

Education13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW69 USD
AVERAGE200 USD
HIGH1,100 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW60 USD
AVERAGE170 USD
HIGH940 USD
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Ramallah

Housing17%

17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW41 USD
AVERAGE100 USD
HIGH180 USD
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW6.9 USD
AVERAGE17 USD
HIGH31 USD
Per Month

Transport, Fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW12 USD
AVERAGE30 USD
HIGH54 USD
Per Month

Food and Groceries23%

23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)

LOW34 USD
AVERAGE86 USD
HIGH150 USD
Per Month

Healthcare9%

9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)

LOW10 USD
AVERAGE26 USD
HIGH46 USD
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)

LOW8.6 USD
AVERAGE21 USD
HIGH39 USD
Per Month

Education18%

18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW33 USD
AVERAGE81 USD
HIGH150 USD
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW26 USD
AVERAGE64 USD
HIGH120 USD
Per Month
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