Living in Amman in 2026: cost, rent, neighbourhoods

What the city lives on and who it suits

Amman is the capital of Jordan, a city of about 4.5 million people on hills at 800-1,100 metres. It hosts the government, banks, healthcare, universities and offices of international organisations working across the Middle East. Jordan is considered one of the region's most stable countries, and Amman a convenient base for work in the Levant and the Gulf.

The city mixes old and new: the Roman theatre and citadel sit next to the cafés of Jabal Amman and the business towers of Abdali. Its healthcare is among the strongest in the region, drawing patients from neighbouring countries. The local currency is pegged to the dollar, so prices are stable, though life is not cheap.

It suits staff of international organisations and companies, families who need good international schools and safety, and investors considering Jordanian residence or citizenship. It does not suit those wanting a seaside city or low prices.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

Cost of living

The exchange rate to the dollar is fixed, so dollar prices do not depend on it. A single person lives comfortably on about $1,800-2,600 a month including rent, a family with a child in international school from $4,000.

Heating adds to costs in winter, but summer electricity bills are lower than in the Gulf states: air conditioning is not needed every day.

Renting and buying a home

Flats in Amman are let by the year, furnished and unfurnished. Rent is often asked several months in advance, and the deposit is usually one month of rent. The main thing to check before signing is heating: central heating on diesel or gas is not everywhere, stone houses are cold in winter, and fuel adds noticeably to costs. Water in the city is supplied on a schedule once a week and stored in rooftop tanks, so tenants ask about the tank size and whether there is a pump.

A foreigner can buy a flat in Amman, but the deal is approved by state bodies: reciprocity with the buyer's country and clearance from the Ministry of Interior are required, which takes one to two months. A flat in a good area of west Amman costs about $150,000-430,000, or $1,700 to $2,700 per square metre, and more in Abdoun and Dabouq. Registration of title costs about 9% of the appraised value: part is paid by the buyer and part by the seller.

For residence, the home is bought from a licensed developer and held for at least five years without sale or mortgage, and the value is set by the land department. Property requirements are covered on the investment property in Jordan page; we select the property and check the deal.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

• Transport. The city is hilly and built for cars; there are rapid buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps. Queen Alia Airport is 35 kilometres away.
• Climate. Dry warm summers; winters are cool, with rain and snow.
• Taxes. Income tax 5-25% for residents, sales tax 16%.
• Entry. Citizens of many countries get a visa on arrival; the tourist pass with Petra entry includes its cost.
• Situation. The country is calm, but the region is tense, so people follow news about neighbouring countries.

Rapid buses run on dedicated lanes through the centre and the west of the city, but they do not reach many residential quarters on the hills. Yellow taxis run on the meter. Rush-hour congestion is the main problem, especially at the circles of west Amman. An express bus links the airport with the city, and a taxi takes 40-50 minutes. Traffic drives on the right.

Climate by season

About 270 mm of rain falls a year, almost all of it from November to March. There is no rain at all in summer.

Family: schools and healthcare

Amman has dozens of international schools with American, British and International Baccalaureate curricula, costing about $8,000-25,000 a year. Private hospitals and clinics are strong, many doctors trained in the US and Europe and speak English, and treatment is cheaper than in the Gulf or Europe.

The school year runs from late August to June, and the working and school week is Sunday to Thursday. Popular international schools take applications six months to a year ahead, hold an interview or test at admission and charge an enrolment fee. Public schools teach in Arabic. Insurance usually comes from the employer; without it a private doctor visit is paid on the spot.

Work and business

Foreigners are hired by international and humanitarian organisations, regional company offices, banks, IT companies, hospitals and universities. Jordan is a development and outsourcing hub in the Arab world, and English is used in business. Companies pay 20% profit tax, with incentives in special economic zones. A foreigner's own company is easier to open with a local partner, Murblz specialists handle the registration, and some activities limit foreign ownership.

The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday. A company account is opened after registration and obtaining a tax number, and banks ask in detail about the source of funds.

Moving and legal status

Residence through property is issued for 5 years to the investor and family; it is not citizenship. There is no separate remote work visa.

Residence through work is issued for a year and renewed together with the work permit.

How to get the right to live here and what to read next

• Jordanian citizenship by investment - investment options, amounts and timelines.
• How much Jordanian citizenship costs - expenses item by item.
• Jordan overview - grounds for moving, taxes and prices across the country.
• Personal account in Jordan - how a newcomer opens an account.
• Dubai and Cairo - other business centres in the region to compare.

We select the basis for your situation, prepare the documents and help with housing and a bank account on the ground. A manager in the chat will calculate the cost of support.

First steps after the move

• obtain residence and a work permit through your employer or the investment authority;
• open a bank account; banks ask for residence and references;
• rent a flat with heating: stone houses are cold in winter;
• arrange health insurance and find a family doctor;
• apply to an international school before the academic year.

Is the city worth considering for living

Yes, if you need a stable and safe base in the Middle East with strong healthcare, schools and English in business, or are considering Jordanian residence and citizenship by investment. No, if you want to live by the sea or seek low prices. We choose the basis, check properties and support the process; we fix our fee after a free consultation.