Side vs Az-zarqa': Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Side ranks meaningfully higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Side is approximately 3.4x more expensive than Az-zarqa' based on cost of living including rent. This makes Az-zarqa' a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Az-zarqa' has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 45, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Az-zarqa' is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Side
Side is a small resort town of 14 thousand where the numbers do not behave: a 1-bedroom outside the center costs $560/mo while the same place in the center runs $418/mo, and a 3-bedroom in the center costs $448/mo against $336/mo outside. With an average monthly net salary of $650/mo, local wages cannot carry a comfortable tier of $877/mo, so this is a place you buy into with foreign income or not at all. The Turkey Digital Nomad Visa demands $3,000/mo, which is steep for a town this size, though the retiree score of 70/100 and 11 km hop to AYT make it a soft landing for beach-focused retirees. Come for the Mediterranean climate and low utilities of $77/mo, but do not expect a deep expat scene or local jobs to anchor you.
About Turkey
Best for digital nomads meeting the $3,000/mo income requirement for Turkey’s dedicated visa. COL is 61% lower than NYC with a single monthly budget of $646.20 excluding rent. However, internists and a moderate political stability score pose risks for long-term stays.
$2,085/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Az-zarqa'
Az-zarqa' is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $122/mo and a single adult scraping by on $550/mo, but the average local net salary of $501/mo means most residents are not saving much. The air quality index of 85 and safety index of 45 are real drawbacks, and English proficiency is limited, so daily life demands some Arabic. Digital nomads and retirees should look elsewhere given scores of 56 and 52, though the 77 overall expat score and 79 FIRE score suggest it works well for remote workers chasing low costs.
About Jordan
Level 2 travel advisory and a US State Department warning make Jordan a tough sell for retirees seeking stability. Budget-focused expats willing to accept medium safety risk get real value: rent runs just $344.58/mo in the capital and monthly costs excluding rent sit at $669.7. A digital nomad visa is available, but PR is not available, so this fits temporary, cost-driven stays over long-term settlement.
$2,100/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Side | Az-zarqa' |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $417.58 | $121.65 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $559.87 | $90 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $447.89 | $246.83 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $335.92 | $180 |
| Safety Index | 68 | 45 |
| Internet Speed | 60Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
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