While in the Gush Dan area a budget of NIS 1.5 million barely covers a basic 2-room apartment, in Ariel that same budget opens the door to a spacious 3–4 room apartment, sometimes with parking and a balcony as well. This is the main reason the city attracts young families who work in the center but can't afford housing there.
Important to remember: price gaps like this also involve daily commute considerations — it's worth factoring that into the total cost.
Links: Apartments for Sale · Local Employment