Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ankara and Matale

For one person, living is cheaper in Matale: $119 a month against $1,389 in Ankara, rent and utilities included – about $15,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Ankara, Turkey
Matale, Sri Lanka
Ankara
🇹🇷 Turkey
$1,389
/mo nomad
Matale
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
$119
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ankara and in Matale

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ankara and in Matale actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,389 per month in Ankara vs $119 in Matale, rent included.

  • Ankara $1,389
  • Matale $119

A couple spends around $2,087 per month in Ankara vs $199 in Matale, rent included.

  • Ankara $2,087
  • Matale $199

A family of three spends $2,785 per month in Ankara vs $278 in Matale, rent included.

  • Ankara $2,785
  • Matale $278

Ankara costs about 1063% more than Matale, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Ankara sits 3% above the global median, while Matale is 91% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.10 ₺507
$1.86 LKR 618
443.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.81 ₺2,197
$9.21 LKR 3,062
375.68%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.78 ₺490
$4.62 LKR 1,537
111.69%
Cappuccino
$4.12 ₺207
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 ₺84.3
$0.47 LKR 157
257.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 ₺36.05
$0.27 LKR 89.8
166.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.02 ₺252
$2.42 LKR 805
107.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.60 ₺331
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 ₺58.4
$1.70 LKR 565
-31.76%
White Bread (500g)
$0.96 ₺48.39
$0.37 LKR 123
159.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.25 ₺113
$0.68 LKR 227
230.88%
Eggs
$2.66 ₺134
$1.11 LKR 368
139.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.09 ₺506
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.43 ₺272
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.99 ₺1,003
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.91 ₺95.8
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.18 ₺109
$0.58 LKR 192
275.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.26 ₺63.3
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.65 ₺82.6
$0.86 LKR 285
91.86%
Potato (1kg)
$0.65 ₺32.69
$0.55 LKR 183
18.18%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 ₺27.40
$0.52 LKR 172
5.77%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 ₺49.75
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ₺32.90
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25 ₺113
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$12.37 ₺620
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12 ₺106
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 ₺161
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ankara
Matale
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 ₺38.86
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.85 ₺595
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 ₺64.3
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.84 ₺42.02
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.22 ₺412
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.39 ₺69.5
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$48.4K ₺2.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2K ₺2.0M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$99.9 ₺5,011
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.15 ₺559
$3.74 LKR 1,242
198.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.94 ₺900
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.0 ₺3,611
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.80 ₺742
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.77 ₺390
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,084 ₺54.3K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.5K ₺1.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ₺2,677
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.87 ₺2,401
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$104 ₺5,229
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.8 ₺4,905
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ankara
Matale
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$748 ₺37.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$557 ₺27.9K
$33.57 LKR 11.2K
1558.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,142 ₺57.3K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$902 ₺45.2K
$48.65 LKR 16.2K
1753.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,644 ₺82.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,142 ₺57.3K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ankara
Matale
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,058 ₺53.1K
$184 LKR 61.1K
476.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
43.85
0
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ankara: November 2, 2026

Last update for Matale: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ankara
$557
Matale
–
Groceries & Markets
Ankara
$251
Matale
–
Eating Out
Ankara
$208
Matale
–
Clothing & Footwear
Ankara
$136
Matale
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ankara
$129
Matale
–
Sport & Entertainment
Ankara
$88
Matale
–
Getting Around
Ankara
$20
Matale
–

Cost Breakdown

Salaries in Ankara are about 5.8 times higher, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $44 in Ankara versus $9 in Matale. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $251 vs $38 – making Matale the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇷 Ankara
🇱🇰 Matale
🕒 Local time
09:53 9:53 AM
12:23 12:23 PM
2 h 30 min ahead of Ankara
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
5,864,049 Capital
40,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

LKR, USD, EUR to TRY – Turkish Lira Converter

Turkish Lira exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 50.15 TRY (100 TRY = 1.99 USD). 1 EUR = 56.3 TRY (100 TRY = 1.78 EUR).

Sri Lankan Rupee exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 333 LKR (1,000 LKR = 3.01 USD). 1 EUR = 373 LKR (1,000 LKR = 2.68 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ankara Matale 5,950 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ankara
  • Matale

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ankara vs Matale: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ankara or Matale?
Ankara costs about 1063% more than Matale, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ankara and in Matale?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,083 per month in Ankara and $179 in Matale. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Ankara compared to Matale?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,389 in Ankara and $119 in Matale. That makes Matale about 91% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Ankara or in Matale?
Groceries cost about 555% more in Ankara, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Ankara or in Matale?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Matale, where all-in costs run around $119, than in Ankara at $1,389. In Matale it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ankara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ankara or Matale?
It depends on your priorities. Ankara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $119 in Matale to $1,389 in Ankara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Ankara compared to Matale?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Ankara or to Matale?
If budget matters most, go with Matale. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ankara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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