Despite the challenges posed by the current security and economic reality, Ashdod is managing to surprise: the city was recently ranked among the ten most financially stable cities in Israel according to the Interior Ministry’s financial resilience index - surpassing even Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. “This is an unprecedented achievement,” said Mayor Dr. Yechiel Lasri. “We will continue to lead the city with responsibility and confidence.”
A special report conducted by appraiser Ohad Dannus, former chairman of the Chamber of Appraisers, maps out the real estate landscape in the city, and the picture is clear: Ashdod is on the verge of a significant leap forward. “It turns out that prices in the city have risen by approximately 14.6% in the past year (Q1 2024 vs. Q1 2025), with 6.5% of that growth occurring since the start of Operation Iron Swords,” Dannus explains.
According to him, this is evidence of the strength of the city’s real estate market even prior to the war, and especially following the neutralization of the southern threat.
Institutional Investors Are Already Here
The capital market has also marked Ashdod as the next destination, with major institutional players in Israel, such as Migdal and Hachshara Insurance Company, operating there in full force. The latter, owned by Eli Eliezer and managed by Shimon Miron, recently issued a call for bids to sell the Soho Ashdod complex - an enormous residential and commercial area spanning approximately 6.5 hectares, comprising 1,100 housing units and around 7,000 square meters of commercial space.
The complex, part of “Kiryat Eitanim,” is considered one of the largest real estate deals in the city, with potential expansion up to 10,000 housing units in the future. The tender includes four residential clusters, ranging from 155 to 348 units each, with no option to purchase individual lots.
Migdal and the Rent It REIT fund are not staying behind either: the two are in negotiations to purchase 75% of a residential project by the Shviro Group in the Lachish neighborhood, which includes 341 housing units in 8 buildings, for NIS 442 million.
“This is no coincidence,” Dannus explains. “Institutional actuarial and real estate experts have marked Ashdod as a strategic investment destination, thanks to the data and its potential.”
Demand for apartments in Ashdod has surged over the past year and a half, partly due to a wave of new immigrants moving to the city: more than 2,000 families have arrived, primarily from Russia, Ukraine, and France, driving a dramatic increase in housing demand.
This wave coincides with growing interest from foreign investors, who consider Ashdod a preferred destination due to its status as a central coastal city with an active marina, accessible beaches, and advanced urban infrastructure.
A Leading ESG City
One of the prominent aspects in Dannus’ report concerns Ashdod’s standing as a leading ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) city. Ashdod Port, the city’s economic heart, received the highest rating - “Platinum Plus” - in the 2024 ESG index. The port is undergoing an environmental and technological transformation: shifting to electric power, reducing waste, operating with ethical transparency, promoting workforce diversity, and engaging with the community.
The city itself has also received international awards for its environmental conduct, including a prestigious UN award, and is promoting projects in smart transportation, green spaces, and accessibility. “This is exactly the kind of DNA institutional investors are looking for,” the report states, “seeking future cash flow combined with real ESG value.”
“Ashdod has it all - beach, port, a vibrant community, a diverse population, and exceptional land reserves,” Dannus concludes. “The public in Israel already recognizes its qualities, which explains the high volume of real estate transactions. We are standing at the threshold of Ashdod’s next big leap - and it’s a moment that deserves attention.”