Jordan
Data updated Oct 14, 2026
Overall Score
61.8
Good
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$345
-80% vs US Avg
Safety Index
60
COL Index
37.2
Overall Score
61.8
GoodEstimated Cost
$904/mo
single person, incl. rent
Verdict
Best for retirees
based on our recommended destinations
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Please check the latest official travel advisory for Jordan before planning your trip.
U.S. Department of State, verified Aug 28, 2026
Jordan suits a specific kind of expat: someone working remotely for a US or European salary who wants a Middle East base without dealing with the Gulf's sponsorship system, and who doesn't mind a safety index of 60 and a State Department Level 2 advisory sitting in the back of their mind. It's not a retirement play. There's no retirement or passive-income visa here, so if your plan is to show up on savings and dividends and stay indefinitely, Jordan doesn't have a lane for that. What it does have is a Digital Nomad Visa, which makes it workable for people with active income who want Amman as a hub for a year or two, not a permanent address.
The headline cost numbers are real but they undersell what actually happens to your budget. A single person spends roughly $670 a month before rent, and a 1BR in the city center runs about $345, putting a bare-bones total around $1,015. That's the number the marketing leans on. What it skips: that $670 baseline assumes local eating, local transport, and no private healthcare buffer. The healthcare index here is 65.2, which is mediocre by Western standards, so most expats end up paying for private insurance on top of the headline budget rather than relying on the public system. Add a car, a decent apartment outside the barebones tier, and realistic health coverage, and a comfortable single-person budget lands closer to $1,400-$1,800, not the sub-$1,100 figure the cost-of-living sites advertise.
The friction shows up in daily logistics more than in big dramatic problems. English proficiency is rated medium, which means paperwork, landlord negotiations, and medical visits often require either Arabic or a fixer, and that's a recurring time cost people underestimate before arrival. Internet is not the bottleneck: average speeds run around 256 Mbps, so remote work infrastructure is fine. The bigger issue is that private healthcare, the kind you'll actually want given the 65.2 health index, costs more than the advertised cost-of-living number implies, and good providers cluster in Amman, so living outside the capital means tradeoffs on access.
For US tax purposes, Jordan's own system taxes income on a bracket scale from 5% up to 30% at the top end, with capital gains at 0% for individuals and dividends paid to non-residents generally subject to a 10% withholding tax; dividends received by residents from Jordanian companies are generally exempt. Jordan's tax treaty status with the US isn't established in verified sources here, so don't assume treaty protection against double taxation. What does help: the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you exclude up to $132,900 of earned income in 2026, and if you're paying for housing, the foreign housing exclusion adds a base exclusion of $21,264 with a cap around $39,870, both of which materially reduce US tax liability for someone drawing a salary while based in Amman. Run the FEI
Jordan vs. the Middle East average
Scores out of 10, shown as the gap between Jordan and the average of the 14 other countries in Middle East. 5 clear strengths, 1 clear gap.
- Public Transport+2.1
- Healthcare+1.6
- Housing Affordability+1.3
- Internet Speed+1.2
- Safety+0.6
- Cost of Living+0.3
- Expat Community+0.2
- Residency Pathway+0.1
- Tax Friendliness-0.4
- English Speaking-0.9
🚚 Moving to Jordan
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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
- 255.8 Mbps
- Climate Zones
- arid
View on Interactive Map
Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in Jordan
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in Jordan.
CoL Index: 45
Est. Total: ~$1,260/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: 42
Est. Total: ~$870/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$600/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: 39
Est. Total: ~$1,150/mo
CoL Index: 37
Est. Total: ~$495/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 $1,500 go in Jordan?
With a monthly budget of $1,500, you can live comfortably in Jordan. After accounting for an average rent of $$345, you have approximately $1,155remaining 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.
Estimate the cost of shipping your belongings to Jordan →
See how Jordan's cost of living compares with Qatar
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
Can I afford to live in Jordan?
Comfortable (1.0×): balanced baseline lifestyle. Adjusts day-to-day costs only — rent is unaffected.
Jordan
You could save
1,986/mo
Monthly Costs
Attractiveness Scores
Based on national averages. City-level costs may vary. Browse cities in Jordan →
⚕️ Healthcare System
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in Jordan.
Get Covered with SafetyWing →Looking for more options? Check Ekta.
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 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.
See how Jordan's healthcare compares with Qatar
🛂 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
Available Visa Types:
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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Detailed Visa Options
🧳 Tourist & Short-Stay Information
Extension Notes
A visitor can extend their 30-day visa by registering at a Jordanian police station before the initial visa expires. Source: Jordanian Ministry of Interior.
General Visa Notes
US citizens can obtain a single-entry visa on arrival at most international ports of entry, valid for 30 days. The fee can be waived if the traveler has purchased a 'Jordan Pass' online before arrival and stays a minimum of three nights. A passport valid for at least six months is required.
Official Source: View Source
🌴 Retirement / Passive Income Visa
This country does not have a dedicated retirement visa, but the following notes provide guidance on pathways for retirees.
Income Notes
Jordan does not have a specific 'retirement' visa, but allows foreigners to apply for an annual residence permit without the right to work by demonstrating proof of sufficient, stable financial resources from abroad. The required amount is not specified and is subject to the discretion of the Ministry of Interior.
Official Source: https://moi.gov.jo/
Health Insurance Notes
For the annual residence permit based on financial sufficiency (used by retirees), applicants are required to provide proof of private health insurance valid in Jordan.
Official Source: https://moi.gov.jo/
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
Income Notes
Jordan does not have a specific visa for digital nomads. While it is a popular destination for tourists, long-term stays for remote work are not formally recognized under the current immigration laws. Visitors typically use tourist visas. Source: Jordanian Ministry of Interior.
📈 Investor Visa
Investment Details
Investment Options & Notes
This is a direct citizenship program. The minimum is a $750,000 USD investment in a small or medium enterprise outside Amman for at least 3 years. Other options include a $1 million bank deposit for 3 years or a $1.5 million investment in any project. Source: Jordan Investment Commission.
Path to Citizenship
Citizenship Notes
This program grants citizenship directly after the investment is made and held for the required period (e.g., 3 years for the bank deposit). Dual citizenship is permitted. Source: Law No. (2) of 2023 on Amending the Jordanian Nationality Law.
Many long-stay visas require proof of health insurance. Compare international health plans before you apply.
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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.
World Bank political stability estimate, rescaled to 0-100. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: Low. Jordan is generally safe, with a safety index of 60, indicating moderate safety levels.
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
🏦 Tax Snapshot
FEIE Interaction
FTC Utility: medium
Jordan imposes personal income tax at rates up to 30%. US expats earning income taxed in Jordan may generate usable foreign tax credits, but without a tax treaty the interaction between the two systems requires careful analysis. The FTC is more useful for higher-income earners who exceed the FEIE limit or who have income types not covered by the FEIE.
Presence Day Count Notes
Standard IRS 330-day physical presence test applies. Jordan does not pose unusual complications for day counting. Entry and exit stamps are generally reliable. US citizens residing in Jordan as expats most commonly use the physical presence test given Jordan's status as a country without a US tax treaty.
FBAR Trigger Notes
FBAR filing required if aggregate value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. Jordanian bank accounts denominated in JOD (Jordanian Dinar) are reportable foreign financial accounts. Jordan has no FATCA intergovernmental agreement in force as of the last verified date, which may complicate automatic reporting.
401k/IRA Treatment
Pension Income
Foreign pension income received by a Jordan tax resident is taxable at progressive PIT rates up to 30%. Jordanian-source pensions from the Social Security Corporation may be treated differently under domestic law.
Locally TaxedSocial Security
No bilateral tax treaty between the US and Jordan. US Social Security benefits received by a Jordanian tax resident would be subject to Jordanian personal income tax as foreign-source pension income. No totalization agreement exists.
Locally TaxedRoth Distributions
No US-Jordan tax treaty exists. Roth IRA distributions received by a Jordanian tax resident may be treated as foreign income subject to Jordanian income tax. The tax-free status under US law is not recognized in Jordan.
Locally TaxedUS 401k/IRA Distributions
Jordan and the United States do not have a bilateral income tax treaty. US retirement distributions received by a Jordan tax resident are treated as foreign-source income and are subject to Jordanian personal income tax at progressive rates up to 30%. No treaty protection exists to limit this exposure.
Locally TaxedCapital Gains Tax
Jordan generally does not levy capital gains tax on individuals. Gains from sale of securities listed on the Amman Stock Exchange are exempt. Real property gains may be subject to a transfer tax rather than an income-based capital gains tax. Corporate capital gains are included in taxable income and taxed at the applicable corporate rate.
Jordan does not impose a capital gains tax on individuals at the national level. Gains from disposal of listed securities are exempt. Gains on real property transfers are subject to land registration and transfer fees rather than a capital gains income tax. Corporate entities include capital gains in ordinary taxable income.
Dividend Tax Rate
Dividends paid to non-residents are subject to a 10% withholding tax under domestic law. Dividends received by resident individuals from Jordanian companies are generally exempt from personal income tax. Treaty rates may reduce the withholding tax for non-residents.
withholding
Rate: 10.0%
Applicable to dividends paid to non-resident recipients under domestic law. Treaty provisions may reduce this rate.
exempt
Rate: 0.0%
Dividends received by resident individuals from Jordanian-domiciled entities are exempt from personal income tax.
Tax Treaties Notes:
No US-Jordan tax treaty. Jordan taxes residents on foreign income remitted.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
Retirees pay income tax on foreign pensions at progressive 5-30% rates. Low property costs in areas like Amman.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
Moderate costs (e.g., a couple's monthly costs at $1,200). Healthcare quality varies.
Pick between Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) and Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit) with an expat tax service.
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Recommended services for Jordan
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Fidelity →See how Jordan's taxes compares with Qatar
☀️ 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
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 255.8 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.
Recommended services for Jordan
Recommended Partner
Traveling Mailbox →Frequently Asked Questions about Jordan
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