πA single person spends $1,066 per month in Artvin vs $1,452 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,666 per month in Artvin vs $2,224 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,266 per month in Artvin vs $2,996 in Istanbul, rent included.
πArtvin is about 27% cheaper than Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πArtvin sits 21% below the global median, while Istanbul is 8% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.71βΊ357
$11.30βΊ523
-31.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.43βΊ1,408
$51.7βΊ2,393
-41.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.68βΊ355
$7.46βΊ345
2.95%
Cappuccino
$2.83βΊ131
$3.46βΊ160
-18.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28βΊ59.2
$1.35βΊ62.3
-5.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46βΊ21.41
$0.47βΊ21.55
-2.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43βΊ159
$3.83βΊ177
-10.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86βΊ178
$5.22βΊ241
-26.05%
π Groceries & Markets
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96βΊ44.47
$1.07βΊ49.30
-10.28%
White Bread(500g)
$0.78βΊ36.00
$0.83βΊ38.17
-6.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.26βΊ105
$2.21βΊ102
2.26%
Eggs
$1.91βΊ88.5
$2.59βΊ120
-26.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.33βΊ432
$10.32βΊ477
-9.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.66βΊ262
$6.53βΊ302
-13.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.76βΊ914
$19.83βΊ917
-0.35%
Apples(1kg)
$1.31βΊ60.5
$1.50βΊ69.6
-12.67%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11βΊ97.4
$2.19βΊ101
-3.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05βΊ48.68
$1.29βΊ59.8
-18.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.31βΊ60.6
$1.58βΊ73.2
-17.09%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69βΊ31.87
$0.76βΊ35.06
-9.21%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64βΊ29.39
$0.73βΊ33.85
-12.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91βΊ42.30
$1.13βΊ52.3
-19.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.33
$0.58βΊ26.88
-8.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14βΊ99.1
$2.20βΊ102
-2.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.75βΊ451
$12.23βΊ566
-20.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15βΊ99.6
$2.12βΊ98.2
1.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01βΊ139
$3.06βΊ142
-1.63%
π Getting Around
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.66βΊ30.64
$0.72βΊ33.44
-8.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.97βΊ1,433
$53.4βΊ2,469
-41.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ50.3
$1.09βΊ50.5
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65βΊ30.20
$0.64βΊ29.48
1.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.54βΊ349
$9.01βΊ417
-16.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17βΊ54.0
$1.15βΊ53.3
1.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.7KβΊ2.0M
$46.6KβΊ2.2M
-6.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.1KβΊ2.0M
$43.8KβΊ2.0M
0.84%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.5βΊ2,889
$71.7βΊ3,315
-12.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.87βΊ503
$12.49βΊ578
-12.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.09βΊ605
$15.04βΊ696
-12.97%
π Sport & Entertainment
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.37βΊ2,006
$60.2βΊ2,785
-27.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.40βΊ851
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.76βΊ267
$7.66βΊ354
-24.80%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$622βΊ28.8K
$935βΊ43.2K
-33.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,903βΊ411.8K
$17.8KβΊ824.5K
-50.05%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.2βΊ2,368
$55.9βΊ2,585
-8.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.43βΊ2,055
$46.37βΊ2,145
-4.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103βΊ4,787
$115βΊ5,303
-9.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.2βΊ4,078
$106βΊ4,883
-16.48%
π Accommodation & Living
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506βΊ23.4K
$961βΊ44.4K
-47.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$387βΊ17.9K
$617βΊ28.6K
-37.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$873βΊ40.4K
$1,739βΊ80.4K
-49.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716βΊ33.1K
$1,028βΊ47.5K
-30.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,242βΊ57.5K
$3,097βΊ143.3K
-59.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$858βΊ39.7K
$1,664βΊ77.0K
-48.47%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Artvin
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,170βΊ54.1K
-
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: June 6, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $506 in Artvin versus $961 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 $52.0 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $229 vs $251 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 36%, 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 $1,600 per month in Artvin and $2,178 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 $1,066, than in Istanbul at $1,452. 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.