Yes you can make a living-Just check it out with Nefesh b’nesfesh.
Just to compare the two most expensive cities…,
Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Jerusalem (from numbeo.com)
You would need around $5,074.42 (16,470.91₪) in Jerusalem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $8,000.00 in New York, NY (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare cost of living. This assumes net earnings (after income tax).
Consumer Prices in Jerusalem are 14.80% lower than in New York, NY (without rent)
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Jerusalem are 36.57% lower than in New York, NY
Rent Prices in Jerusalem are 61.63% lower than in New York, NY
Restaurant Prices in Jerusalem are 5.34% lower than in New York, NY
Groceries Prices in Jerusalem are 28.80% lower than in New York, NY
Local Purchasing Power in Jerusalem is 33.53% lower than in New York, NY
Using a Country (US and Israel) average looks like this:
Family of four estimated monthly costs are 12,463.84₪ without rent.
A single person estimated monthly costs are 3,512.65₪ without rent.
Cost of living in Israel is, on average, 20.97% higher than in United States.
Rent in Israel is, on average, 22.09% lower than in United States.