Israel has certainly lived up to its reputation of being an expensive country in comparison to America. Real estate, the price of a new vehicle, gas, and taxes are all higher in Israel than they are in the United States. 

However, Israel is a world leader in medicine and was even ranked among the top five worldwide in COVID resilience. The Jewish State also boasts some products and services that are not only significantly cheaper in the Holy Land than they are in the USA, in many cases, are even better. The following is a list of just a few of those items.

Dental Work

Most tourists come to see Israel’s holy sites and the wealth of archaeology that comes with it. But what many people don’t realize about the Jewish State is that it’s a world leader in medical technology. This includes dentistry. That’s one reason why so many American tourists land in Jerusalem – to get quality dental care at a fraction of the price. 

Therefore, more and more US citizens are opting to travel to Israel for crowns, fillings and even root canals. That’s because they save roughly 60% on the cost of dental treatment in the Holy Land while enjoying the same, (and in most cases better) level of quality. This is also why ‘Dental Tourism’ companies like Maccabident have become so popular. They help those in need of dental treatment combine an incredible tour of Israel with top-notch dental work…at nearly half the price.

Cell Phone Plans

According to recent statistics, the average monthly mobile phone bill in the United States is $80.25 per month. In Israel, comprehensive cellular plans (that include internet data) often start as low a $14 per month.

Fruit

Although the prices for produce fluctuate, recent statistics can give us solid indications of costs in both countries. For example, according to a report from the USDA, the average cost of dried dates in the US is $5.51 per pound while dates in Israel cost just $2.21 per pound. The same report indicates that oranges in the US cost $1.10 per pound while in Israel the cost is a mere $0.89 per pound.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Israel is cheaper by comparison. Although the network of mass transit is far less developed in major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem than it is in many major American cities, it’s getting there with a developing network of subterranean railway projects. Buses are subsidized and are thus relatively inexpensive. Within cities, bus fares cost approximately $1.51 for multiple bus rides. Compare that to L.A’s Metro Bus, which costs $1.75 for a one-way ride.

Vegetables

Like fruit, prices of vegetables also fluctuate. But just about any American who has lived in Israel will agree that most produce is cheaper in Israel than in America. 

For example, according to the USDA, American cucumbers cost $1.26 per pound. However, in Israel, cucumbers will set you back approximately $0.93 per pound. Romaine lettuce in America costs $1.48 per pound while Romain lettuce in Israel only costs $1.20 per pound.

Education

The annual cost of tuition at an Israeli university stands at $2,890 per year. This is due in large part to government subsidies. Meanwhile, the average cost of tuition at a private four-year college or university in the United States is $29,056. But even tuition costs for in-state students still stands at $8,655 and $21,706 for out-of-state students.

Judaica items

Since Israel is the Jewish state, it makes sense that items like Menorahs, Shofars and prayer shawls are cheaper in Jerusalem than they are in Miami. That’s because those same items are almost always originally imported from Israel. For example, a multi-colored talit (prayer shawl) at a Judaica store in the U.S has been known to cost $119 while in Israel, the same garment can be found for as low as $72

Internet

The cost of a Broadband 6Mpbs, uncapped data internet plan in Israel costs $25.27 on average. Meanwhile, the same monthly plan in the United States costs $45.72 making the American internet 81% more expensive than in Israel despite having the same speed.

Wine

Since grapes are one of Israel’s seven species, wine in the Holy Land is almost as plentiful as water. This means that it’s not uncommon to see quality merlots on shelves for as low as $5.25 with Kosher wine costing less than half in many cases than it does once it reaches U.S shores.

Bread 

In America, a loaf of bread costs 26% more than it does in Israel on average. That might be because in Israel, wheat is one of the seven species. To be precise, the cost of a loaf of bread in Israel is $1.88 while in America, the cost is $2.37.

To learn more about getting higher-quality dental treatment in Israel, click here.