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No. 22 Jerusalem, Israel

Rank in 2009: 27

FOOD: Lunch at a restaurant: $29
Can of beer from grocer: $2.69
One kg of rice: $5.16
One dozen eggs: $4.81

ENTERTAINMENT: Movie ticket: $10

APPLIANCES: Washing machine: $1,005

Many enjoy a high standard of living in Jerusalem, but the city remains one of the country’s poorest. Mayor Nir Barkat says he hopes to revitalize Israel’s capital to attract more tourists and foreign visitors. Israel's economy started to recover in the second half of in 2009: According to the Bank of Israel, gross domestic product grew 0.7 percent for the year and unemployment ticked down slightly, to 7.3 percent.

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