property
Suburbs Where Buying Is Now Cheaper Than Renting
Holon and Bat Yam now show lower monthly ownership costs than rental payments for similar two-bedroom units.
How we reported this
In Holon and Bat Yam, monthly mortgage payments on a typical two-bedroom apartment have fallen below average rents for the same size and location.
The change follows a period of steady interest rates that began in early 2026, after earlier fluctuations linked to regional tensions and global commodity movements. Central Tel Aviv districts continue to see strong rental demand from young professionals, but outer municipalities have seen slower price growth and more available stock, tilting the balance toward buyers.
Conditions along the southern corridor
Buyers looking near the Design Museum Holon on Pinchas Eilon Street can secure an 80-square-metre apartment for roughly 2.4 million shekels. Further south in Bat Yam, units close to the marina and the former railway station on Rothschild Street trade at comparable levels. Both areas sit within a short train ride of central Tel Aviv and benefit from ongoing infrastructure work on the light-rail line that reached Holon Junction last year.
Figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics on 5 July 2026 put the average rent for an 80-square-metre apartment in these two municipalities at 6,900 shekels. At current bank rates, a 75-per-cent loan on a 2.4-million-shekel purchase produces a monthly repayment of 6,400 shekels over 30 years, according to mortgage calculators used by local branches of Bank Hapoalim.
Steps for prospective owners
Interested buyers should first obtain pre-approval from one of the mortgage desks operating inside the Holon or Bat Yam branches of Bank Leumi, then cross-check current listings on the Yad2 platform for properties that have already passed building-permit checks under the Tama 38 renewal scheme. Early inspection of maintenance records and proximity to the new light-rail stops can help lock in the cost advantage before the next round of listings appears later this summer.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.