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| City | Ashkelon | Ashdod | Jerusalem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | South coast | South coast | Jerusalem area |
| Population | 166,8642024 estimatesource ((opens in a new tab)) | 228,5622024 estimatesource ((opens in a new tab)) | 1,050,1532024 estimatesource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| English-speaking community | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Very large (5 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| French-speaking community | Unknownsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| Russian-speaking community | Large (4 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Very large (5 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Small (2 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| Religious mix | UnknownNo religious breakdown found; Wikipedia says the population is 'almost entirely Israeli Jews.'source ((opens in a new tab)) | 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)) | Mixed, leaning religiousMixed, leaning religious. Only 18% of Jewish residents are secular and Haredim are 35% of the adult Jewish population; Arab residents make up about 37% of the population.source ((opens in a new tab)) |
| Rent (family-size apartment) | NIS 4,031 – 4,906 a monthCBS averages, Apr-Jun 2026 (3.5-4 rooms to 4.5+ rooms)source ((opens in a new tab)) | NIS 4,855 – 6,239 a monthCBS averages, Apr-Jun 2026 (3.5-4 rooms to 4.5+ rooms)source ((opens in a new tab)) | NIS 6,180 – 7,748 a monthCBS averages, Apr-Jun 2026 (3.5-4 rooms to 4.5+ rooms)source ((opens in a new tab)) |
| To Tel Aviv | About 52 min to Tel Aviv by busAbout 1 h by train from Ashkelon station, about 52 min by bus, or about 46 min by car (Rome2rio estimates). NBN says about 50 min by train and 40 min by car.source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))source 3 ((opens in a new tab)) | 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)) | About 41 min to Tel Aviv by trainAbout 41 min by train from Yitzhak Navon to Tel Aviv Center, or about 48 min by bus (Rome2rio estimates).source ((opens in a new tab)) |
| To Jerusalem | About 1 h 13 min to Jerusalem by busAbout 1 h 13 min by bus (Rome2rio estimate).source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))source 3 ((opens in a new tab)) | 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)) | You would live in the city itself |
| Train station | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Light rail | No | No | Yes |
| For families | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | High (4 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | High (4 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| Quiet | Medium (3 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Fairly low (2 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) | Fairly low (2 out of 5)· judgment callsource ((opens in a new tab)) |
| Location note | |||
| City site | Ashkelon Local ((opens in a new tab)) | Ashdod Local ((opens in a new tab)) | Jerusalem Local ((opens in a new tab)) |