The real cost of making Aliyah isn’t the flight, it’s the first six months

When people talk about the cost of making aliyah, the headline number is usually the plane ticket. Sometimes it is the shipping cost, too, especially if you are bringing a household’s worth of stuff from abroad.

But ask most new olim what actually stretched them, and you will hear the same thing: it is the first six months on the ground.

That “in-between” period, after you land but before life feels settled, is where costs stack up fast. It is rent deposits, furniture, white goods, paperwork, and the reality that your first Israeli payslip may not arrive for weeks or months.

Whilst some olim get flights paid for as part of their aliyah, for those that have to pay, that cost is only the start. If you are shipping items from abroad, the bill can increase quickly depending on how much stuff you have, how far it’s travelling and how quickly you need it. 

Industry estimates for international container shipping vary widely, but ranges like $2,000 to $6,000 for full-container loads (FCL) are commonly cited for 2025, with smaller loads often priced separately. (Sirelo)

And that’s before you factor in “everything around the move”, like packing, storage, insurance, customs handling, and local delivery. For families, it is rarely just one bill.

Some olim choose to ship less and buy more locally. That can make things easier before you move, but it often shifts the cost burden into the first few months in Israel.

Housing is usually the highest single monthly cost for new arrivals, and Tel Aviv is regularly described as one of the most expensive cities in the world.

While rents vary by neighbourhood and apartment condition, crowd-sourced market trackers put a one-bedroom in central Tel Aviv at roughly ₪6,000 to ₪8,000+ per month. Numbeo

That is the monthly number. But olim also need to pay out for deposits, broker fees (in some cases), taxes and building costs.

Here is the part that catches many people off guard: even if you find an apartment quickly, it may not be ready to live in the way you expect.

In some markets, long-term rentals may come unfurnished. In others, you might get the basics but still need key items. That typically means paying for essentials in a short time window:

• A bed and mattress (or many, if you are moving as a family)
• A sofa and table so the apartment can function day-to-day
• Storage solutions, especially in smaller flats
• Kitchen basics, from cookware to small appliances

Then come the “white goods” decisions. Some apartments include a fridge or washing machine, some do not. And even when they do, new arrivals sometimes choose to replace older units quickly.

Whilst the exact bill depends on lifestyle and whether you buy new, second-hand, or through community groups, the underlying point stands: if you are not shipping everything, you are often rebuilding a home quickly, which comes with a high price tag in the first few months.

Once housing is covered, day-to-day costs also play a part. Tel Aviv’s global reputation for high costs is not just about property prices. In international rankings, it has continued to place among the higher-cost cities overall. (JNS)

For olim, working out how to cut these costs and spend efficiently takes time, further increasing the financial burden.

Whilst the government does give olim financial support in the first few months, for many, it isn’t enough to get them set up properly. 

Some rely on savings and family support. Others look for short-term or interim work, sometimes outside their long-term career track. 

Many explore more flexible income streams like task-based platforms that can help them bridge smaller gaps. A type of work that has become increasingly popular in other Western countries like the US and UK. 

If you are building your budget, the most helpful mindset shift is this:

The move is not just one expense. It is a six-month cash-flow story.

You should plan for:

• A housing budget that gives enough runway to cover rent costs and deposits
• A furnishing and white-goods buffer, even if you plan to buy second-hand
• A flexible plan for topping up income if needed, without locking yourself into a schedule that makes settling harder

Aliyah is an exciting move, but it also takes financial planning. And for many olim, the real cost is not the flight. It is the first six months of building a life that finally feels like home.

This article was written in cooperation with Prograd