Living in Aqaba
What it really costs to live in Aqaba, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Jordan, updated 2026. Aqaba sits mid-range among the 3 Jordan cities we track, so it can be a smarter base than the capital if budget matters. Aqaba lies in Western Asia. Jordan's capital is Amman. The main language is Arabic. Jordan borders Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria.
Cost of Living in Aqaba
Full Monthly Breakdown for Aqaba
How Aqaba Compares to Other Jordan Cities
Aqaba is not the only option in Jordan. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€649) stacks up against the other cities we track — Irbid is the cheapest, Amman the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Irbid | €536/mo | -17% vs Aqaba |
| Amman (capital) | €840/mo | +29% vs Aqaba |
What You Can Earn in Jordan
Typical gross annual salaries in Jordan by sector (entry · median · senior). Aqaba pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €13 000 | €18 500 | €26 000 |
| retail | €5 000 | €7 000 | €9 500 |
| finance | €10 000 | €14 500 | €20 500 |
| education | €7 000 | €10 000 | €13 500 |
| healthcare | €9 000 | €13 000 | €18 000 |
| engineering | €10 500 | €15 000 | €21 500 |
| hospitality | €5 000 | €7 000 | €10 000 |
| construction | €7 500 | €10 500 | €14 500 |
Living in Aqaba: Safety, Health & Climate
Aqaba shares Jordan's wider quality-of-life profile. Aqaba has a dry climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Jordan
Affording Aqaba is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Jordan. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~3 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €141 000 (USD).
Taxes in Jordan
Top marginal rate 15%, VAT 16%. Special regime — Requires legal source verification
Settling into Aqaba
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Jordan.
- Budget around €1 200 for first-month setup in Aqaba.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture.
Get Your Jordan Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Jordan.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentAqaba FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Aqaba?
A single person in central Aqaba should budget about €649/month, roughly €552 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €1 340/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Jordan?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Jordan visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Jordan Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries