Israel's fourth-largest city, Rishon Lezion, has the highest average net household income of any city in Israel, according to a study by the Central Bureau of Statistics that compared average household incomes and expenditures for the nation's 14 largest cities in 2014. The study found that in Rishon Lezion, a 15-minute drive southeast of Tel Aviv, the average household brings in 16,591 shekels ($4,257) per month and spends NIS 11,780 ($3,022) on purchases and services, excluding housing. Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, had the second-highest monthly average household income: NIS 16, 312 ($4,185), with NIS 12,644 being spent ($3,244). Tel Aviv-Jaffa came in third place, with an average household income of NIS 16,260 ($4,172) and spending of NIS 12,320 ($3,161). Of the 14 cities, Bat Yam., Tel Aviv's neighbor to the south, was in last place, with an average household income of NIS 11,926 ($3,060) and spending of NIS 9,251 ($2,373). Bnei Brak, with an average household income of NIS 12,144 ($3,116) and expenditure of NIS 10,429 ($2,676) was second last, and Jerusalem, where households earned an average of NIS 12,164 ($3,121) and spent NIS 11,528 ($2,958), was third last. The figures showed that Rishon Lezion was also the city with the greatest gap between income and expenditure, NIS 4,811 ($1,234). The smallest gap was in Jerusalem, NIS 636 ($163). Tel Aviv was the city with both the highest average net income per household member, NIS 7,450 ($1,912), and highest average expenditure per household member, NIS 5,645 ($1,448). According to the study, the average household income in Israel from all sources -- salary, investments, stipends, and legal support -- stands at NIS 18,300 per month ($4,695) gross, or t NIS 15,000 ($3,849) net -- while the average household expenditure is estimated at NIS 12,000 ($3,079). The figures indicated that nationwide, 67.3% of the public live in apartments they own, while 27.4% live in rental apartments. In Rishon Lezion, 76% of the population own the apartments in which they live, compared to 40% of residents of Tel Aviv, the lowest percentage of residents who own their apartments. The average mortgage payment stands at NIS 3,330 ($854). In addition to the lowest rate of home ownership, Tel Aviv also boasted the highest rents, with tenants paying an average of NIS 4,023 ($1,032) per month to live in the White City. Rental apartments in Tel Aviv are also the smallest, averaging 2.4 rooms. The numbers indicated that on average, residents of Tel Aviv spend 32.6% of their income on housing.
