South coast

Ashdod

A large beachside city south of Tel Aviv and home to Israel's largest port. It absorbed more than 60,000 immigrants from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s and, more recently, immigrants from the US, UK, France, Argentina and South Africa. NBN describes housing as more affordable than some neighboring cities; over 30% of residents are Haredi.

Visit Ashdod Local Compare Ashdod with other cities

What draws people

Lower rent than central Israel: CBS average for 3.5-4 rooms is about NIS 4,855/month (Apr-Jun 2026). source ((opens in a new tab))
About 42 min to Tel Aviv by bus 320, with a train station on the coastal line. source ((opens in a new tab))
Large Russian-speaking community and newer French- and English-speaking immigrants. source ((opens in a new tab))

What to weigh

The train to Tel Aviv (about 55 min) is slower than the direct bus. source ((opens in a new tab))
Jerusalem is about an hour by bus. source ((opens in a new tab))

The facts

Region: South coast
Population: 228,562 (2024 estimate)CBS figure as cited on Wikipedia.source ((opens in a new tab))
English-speaking community: Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment call
French-speaking community: Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment call
Russian-speaking community: Very large (5 out of 5)· judgment call
Religious mix: MixedMixed, with a large Haredi community: 'over 30% of Ashdod's population is Haredi'; over 95% of residents are Jewish.source ((opens in a new tab))
Rent (family-size apartment): NIS 4,855 – 6,239 a monthCBS averages, Apr-Jun 2026 (3.5-4 rooms to 4.5+ rooms)CBS average rent in Ashdod, Apr-Jun 2026: 3.5-4 rooms (min figure) and 4.5+ rooms (max figure). These are averages, not the cheapest or most expensive listings.source ((opens in a new tab))
To Tel Aviv: About 42 min to Tel Aviv by busAbout 42 min by bus 320, about 55 min by train from Ashdod Ad Halom, or about 33 min by car (Rome2rio estimates).source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))
To Jerusalem: About 57 min to Jerusalem by busAbout 57 min by bus (Rome2rio estimate).source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))
Train station: Yes
Light rail: No
For families: High (4 out of 5)· judgment call
Quiet: Fairly low (2 out of 5)· judgment call

Why these scores

English-speaking community: NBN gives no count; it says NBN olim under 40 live throughout the city and older olim mostly south of Sderot Yerushalayim. Wikipedia: recent immigrants from the US and UK among others. Judgment call. source ((opens in a new tab))
French-speaking community: Wikipedia lists France among recent immigrant origins; French Wikipedia mentions growth from new immigrants from France. No figures. Judgment call. source ((opens in a new tab))
Russian-speaking community: Wikipedia: 'More than 60,000 Russians who immigrated to Israel in the 1990s' settled in Ashdod. source ((opens in a new tab))
For families: Judgment: NBN presents it as a practical, more affordable home for newcomer families, naming Rova Yud Zayin and the Marina as popular areas. source ((opens in a new tab))
Quiet: Judgment: large port city of about 229,000. source ((opens in a new tab))

Some spellings of this name in other languages aren't confirmed by a source yet.

Sources

Checked 8 November 2026

Ashdod Local

Listings, guides, neighborhoods and Shabbat times for Ashdod, on the city's own site.

Visit Ashdod Local

Nefesh B'Nefesh community guide ((opens in a new tab))

Other cities

South coast
Ashkelon
A coastal city in southern Israel, about 50 km south of Tel Aviv.
English-speaking community
Medium (3 out of 5)
Facts and sources
Jerusalem area
Jerusalem
Israel's capital and largest city, with a large English-speaking population and tens of thousands of Nefesh B'Nefesh olim.
English-speaking community
Very large (5 out of 5)
Facts and sources
Tel Aviv area
Tel Aviv-Yafo
Israel's main center for business, culture and dining, in a metropolitan area of more than 4 million people.
English-speaking community
Large (4 out of 5)
Facts and sources

The 17 cities