Jordan
Data updated Jun 19, 2026
Overall Score
56.2
Good
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$344.58
-80% vs US Avg
Safety Index
60
COL Index
37.2
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Please check the latest official travel advisories for Jordan before planning your trip.
Jordan is not the obvious retirement destination that Southeast Asia or Latin America tend to be, and that's precisely why it works for a specific type of person. If you want a Middle Eastern base that is stable relative to its neighbors, has a functioning infrastructure, and sits within a few hours of Europe, Amman makes sense. The sweet spot is someone living on $2,000 to $2,500 a month who wants a slower pace without full geographic isolation, is comfortable navigating a conservative Muslim-majority society, and isn't dependent on a large English-speaking social circle. It is not a fit for someone who needs beach access, nightlife, or the kind of expat density you find in Chiang Mai or Lisbon.
Monthly costs in Amman are lower than the marketing suggests but not dramatically so by global expat standards. A single person spending around $670 on non-rent expenses plus roughly $345 for a one-bedroom in the city center lands at about $1,000 to $1,100 all in, which is reasonable but not the rock-bottom budget some people expect from the Middle East. Groceries run cheap if you shop local markets, but imported Western goods carry significant markups because Jordan taxes imports heavily. A bottle of wine can cost $15 to $25 at a grocery store since alcohol is available but taxed. Utilities are manageable but air conditioning in Amman summers, where temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius, will push electricity bills noticeably higher from June through September.
The practical friction in Jordan is real and worth understanding before you commit. There is no straightforward long-term residency visa for retirees or remote workers the way some countries have formalized in recent years. Most expats stay on renewable short-term visas or secure residency through property ownership or employment. Car ownership is essentially required outside the central Amman neighborhoods since public transit is limited and ride-hailing is inconsistent. The State Department carries a Level 2 advisory, driven by Jordan's proximity to conflict zones in Syria and the West Bank rather than internal instability, but it means you should have a contingency plan. English proficiency is medium, which in practice means you'll get by fine in restaurants and hotels but will hit walls in government offices, hospitals, and outer neighborhoods where Arabic is the only working language. Fixed broadband speeds average around 253 Mbps download, so remote work infrastructure is not a problem in central Amman.
On the US tax side, Jordan does not have a bilateral tax treaty with the United States, which means the standard American expat framework applies with no treaty-specific carve-outs to lean on. You still file a US return annually and report worldwide income. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you shield up to $126,500 in earned income for 2024 if you meet the physical presence or bona fide residence test, and the Foreign Tax Credit can offset Jordan-sourced income that Jordan taxes locally. Jordan's personal income tax runs from 5% to 20% depending on income level, so there is Jordanian tax liability if you earn income in-country. Passive income like Social Security, dividends, and portfolio withdrawals all remain fully reportable to the IRS regardless of where you live. No FEIE benefit applies to investment income, so retirees living off savings or a portfolio should plan accordingly and likely need a CPA with international experience.
Recommended Destinations in Jordan
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Amman
- Official Language
- Arabic
- Time Zone
- UTC+03:00
- Region
- Middle East
- Population
- 10,203,140
- Healthcare Index
- 65.2
- Internet Speed
- 112.88 Mbps
- Climate Zones
- arid
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Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in Jordan
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Jordan.
CoL Index: 43
Est. Total: ~$1,030/mo
CoL Index: 39
Est. Total: ~$699/mo
CoL Index: 48
Est. Total: ~$1,250/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$472/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$952/mo
CoL Index: 43
Est. Total: ~$990/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$591/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$662/mo
CoL Index: 43
Est. Total: ~$721/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$503/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$803/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$1,014/mo
How far does $903.52 go in Jordan?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Jordan. After accounting for an average rent of $344.58, you have approximately $1,155.42 remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs →💰 Cost of Living in Jordan
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means rent is cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means groceries are cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means eating out is cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in Jordan: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $2,391.3 (1,695.4JOD), excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $669.7 (474.8JOD), excluding rent. Cost of living in Jordan is, on average, 16.4% higher than in Colombia. Rent in Jordan is, on average, 31.5% lower than in Colombia.
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
⚕️ Healthcare System
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in Jordan.
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An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Jordan is a regional leader in medical services, with healthcare accounting for 9% of its GDP. The country has a mix of public and private hospitals, with a significant portion being private.
Insurance Insights:
Both public and private health insurance options are available, with private insurance often used for higher-quality services.
🛂 Visa & Residency Pathways
🛂 Visa Services
Ready to apply for a Jordan visa?
Get help with your application — tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Process & Requirements:
Jordan's long-term residency system is 'complex' and not designed for easy access. Most expats reside in Jordan on a temporary basis linked to employment. Obtaining a work permit requires sponsorship from a Jordanian company, and the process can be bureaucratic. For those not working, it is possible to obtain temporary residency by demonstrating substantial financial means (e.g., through a large bank deposit), but this is not a well-publicized or standard program and is often handled on a case-by-case basis. There is no formal retirement or digital nomad visa.
Many foreigners stay on long-term tourist visas that require exiting and re-entering the country periodically. The lack of clear, accessible pathways for independent residents results in a low score. The process is managed by the Ministry of Interior.
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
There is no standard pathway to permanent residency in Jordan. The five-year residence permit is the closest equivalent. The pathway to citizenship is 'difficult' and extremely rare for foreigners. The law requires a total of 15 years of legal residence for most Arab nationals and longer for others. The applicant must be of good conduct, have a legal source of income, and not be mentally impaired. The granting of citizenship is highly discretionary. Critically, an applicant must renounce their previous citizenship, as dual nationality is generally not permitted for naturalized citizens. This makes the path to citizenship a near impossibility for most.
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🛡️ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
Reflects perceptions of political stability. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: Low. Jordan is generally safe, with low levels of crime.
Types of Crime: Petty theft and burglary, especially in urban areas.
Kidnapping Risk: Low; incidents are rare and typically not targeted at foreigners.
🏦 Taxation & Finance
Recommended Partner
Fidelity →Recommended Partner
IBKR →Recommended Partner
bordr →Recommended Partner
My Expat Taxes →Recommended Partner
Greenback Expat Tax →Recommended Partner
Taxes For Expats →Recommended Partner
Send money to Jordan with Wise Money Transfer →Recommended Partner
Fidelity →Recommended Partner
SoFi →🏦 Tax Snapshot
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Jordan tax treaty. Jordan taxes residents on foreign income remitted.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Retirees pay 5% tax on foreign pensions. Low property costs in areas like Amman.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Moderate costs (e.g., $1,200/month for a couple). Healthcare quality varies.
☀️ Climate & Environment
Climate Zones:
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
Seasonal Variations:
Jordan's climate ranges from Mediterranean in the west with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, to arid desert conditions in the east and south. Rainfall varies significantly across regions, with the western highlands receiving more precipitation.
😊 Quality of Life
🌐 Infrastructure & Connectivity
Recommended Partner
Traveling Mailbox →Recommended Partner
US Global Mail →Recommended Partner
HideMy.Name →Recommended Partner
Veepn →Recommended Partner
Surfshark →Recommended Partner
Yesim →Recommended Partner
Klook →Recommended Partner
Radical Storage →Recommended Partner
GetRentacar.com →Recommended Partner
Drimsim →Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
Jordan offers decent internet infrastructure with improving speeds and reasonable reliability for the Middle East region.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 45-50 Mbps with fiber expanding in cities. Orange, Zain, and Umniah provide competitive services.
Availability: Good in Amman and major cities, decent in smaller towns, limited in rural desert areas.
Cost: Moderate pricing at JD 20-40 monthly for decent speeds, competitive for the regional market.
Reliability for Remote Work: Generally reliable with good customer support. Strong mobile networks provide backup. Amman has growing tech and coworking scenes, becoming increasingly attractive for Middle Eastern remote workers.
Transportation Network:
Jordan has a well-developed transportation system with good road infrastructure and modern airports.
Roads: Excellent highway system including the Desert Highway connecting north to south Jordan.
Rail: Limited passenger rail service; the Hedjaz Railway operates one train daily.
Domestic Travel: Three international airports serve the country with good connections; buses and taxis provide domestic transport.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jordan
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