πA single person spends $1,070 per month in Artvin vs $1,431 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,661 per month in Artvin vs $2,191 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,251 per month in Artvin vs $2,952 in Istanbul, rent included.
πArtvin is about 25% cheaper than Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πArtvin sits 20% below the global median, while Istanbul is 7% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47βΊ337
$11.52βΊ519
-35.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.43βΊ1,372
$51.0βΊ2,301
-40.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.81βΊ352
$7.60βΊ343
2.76%
Cappuccino
$2.82βΊ127
$3.63βΊ164
-22.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31βΊ58.9
$1.35βΊ61.1
-2.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47βΊ21.17
$0.47βΊ21.10
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51βΊ158
$3.92βΊ177
-10.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98βΊ179
$5.20βΊ235
-23.46%
π Groceries & Markets
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96βΊ43.41
$1.10βΊ49.63
-12.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.78βΊ35.04
$0.83βΊ37.34
-6.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.30βΊ104
$2.26βΊ102
1.77%
Eggs
$1.87βΊ84.5
$2.71βΊ122
-31.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.66βΊ436
$10.45βΊ471
-7.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.51βΊ249
$6.59βΊ297
-16.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.50βΊ879
$20.07βΊ905
-2.84%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30βΊ58.7
$1.44βΊ65.1
-9.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07βΊ93.6
$2.29βΊ103
-9.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.10βΊ49.75
$1.29βΊ58.3
-14.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.28βΊ57.5
$1.63βΊ73.4
-21.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69βΊ30.91
$0.71βΊ32.21
-2.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64βΊ29.06
$0.73βΊ33.04
-12.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91βΊ40.81
$1.17βΊ52.6
-22.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ23.75
$0.59βΊ26.45
-10.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.20βΊ99.0
$2.15βΊ96.8
2.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.73βΊ484
$11.99βΊ541
-10.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08βΊ93.8
$2.15βΊ96.9
-3.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04βΊ137
$3.02βΊ136
0.66%
π Getting Around
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.59
$0.72βΊ32.28
-12.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.74βΊ1,386
$53.1βΊ2,393
-42.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08βΊ48.74
$1.09βΊ49.22
-0.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66βΊ29.67
$0.64βΊ28.70
3.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.40βΊ334
$8.74βΊ394
-15.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21βΊ54.7
$1.21βΊ54.5
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.7KβΊ2.0M
$44.8KβΊ2.0M
-2.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ1.9M
$43.2KβΊ1.9M
-0.72%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.6βΊ2,821
$71.4βΊ3,217
-12.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.88βΊ490
$12.44βΊ561
-12.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.01βΊ587
$14.58βΊ657
-10.77%
π Sport & Entertainment
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.70βΊ1,926
$62.4βΊ2,815
-31.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.58βΊ838
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.79βΊ261
$7.57βΊ342
-23.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614βΊ27.7K
$950βΊ42.8K
-35.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,786βΊ396.1K
$18.0KβΊ813.6K
-51.31%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.7βΊ2,333
$57.0βΊ2,569
-9.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.87βΊ2,068
$46.42βΊ2,093
-1.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104βΊ4,690
$113βΊ5,102
-8.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.4βΊ4,123
$108βΊ4,864
-15.23%
π Accommodation & Living
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$516βΊ23.3K
$982βΊ44.3K
-47.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ17.8K
$631βΊ28.4K
-37.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$897βΊ40.4K
$1,769βΊ79.7K
-49.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$705βΊ31.8K
$1,057βΊ47.7K
-33.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,156βΊ52.1K
$3,300βΊ148.8K
-64.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$988βΊ44.5K
$1,659βΊ74.8K
-40.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,198βΊ54.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
48.43
-23.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Artvin: April 28, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $516 in Artvin versus $982 in Istanbul. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Artvin versus $51.0 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $230 vs $254 β making Artvin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Artvin vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Istanbul cheaper than Artvin?
Yes β Istanbul is pricier by about 34%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,606 per month in Artvin and $2,146 in Istanbul. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Artvin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Artvin and Istanbul?
Groceries cost about 10% more in Istanbul, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Artvin or Istanbul?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Artvin, where all-in costs run around $1,070, than in Istanbul at $1,431. In Artvin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Istanbul it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Artvin or Istanbul more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Artvin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Artvin or Istanbul?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Artvin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Istanbul makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.