πA single person spends $1,060 per month in Erzincan vs $1,470 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,649 per month in Erzincan vs $2,264 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,237 per month in Erzincan vs $3,058 in Istanbul, rent included.
πErzincan is about 28% cheaper than Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πErzincan sits 20% below the global median, while Istanbul is 10% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.71βΊ357
$11.38βΊ527
-32.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.67βΊ1,420
$51.8βΊ2,396
-40.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.44βΊ344
$7.51βΊ348
-0.93%
Cappuccino
$2.90βΊ134
$3.55βΊ164
-18.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25βΊ58.1
$1.31βΊ60.5
-4.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47βΊ21.67
$0.47βΊ21.60
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.44βΊ159
$3.87βΊ179
-11.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92βΊ182
$5.01βΊ232
-21.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.94βΊ43.54
$1.11βΊ51.5
-15.32%
White Bread(500g)
$0.75βΊ34.55
$0.77βΊ35.60
-2.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21βΊ102
$2.21βΊ102
-
Eggs
$1.88βΊ87.0
$2.72βΊ126
-30.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.45βΊ437
$10.14βΊ470
-6.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.64βΊ261
$6.68βΊ309
-15.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.18βΊ888
$20.26βΊ938
-5.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.26βΊ58.3
$1.45βΊ67.3
-13.10%
Banana(1kg)
$2.14βΊ99.2
$2.30βΊ106
-6.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05βΊ48.66
$1.34βΊ61.9
-21.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.26βΊ58.3
$1.63βΊ75.3
-22.70%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73βΊ33.79
$0.71βΊ33.01
2.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65βΊ29.88
$0.72βΊ33.34
-9.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85βΊ39.25
$1.14βΊ52.8
-25.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.38
$0.58βΊ27.01
-8.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22βΊ103
$2.18βΊ101
1.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.34βΊ571
$12.15βΊ562
1.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15βΊ99.3
$2.22βΊ103
-3.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12βΊ144
$3.05βΊ141
2.30%
π Getting Around
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67βΊ30.90
$0.68βΊ31.39
-1.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.86βΊ1,382
$54.7βΊ2,531
-45.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ48.70
$1.09βΊ50.4
-3.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62βΊ28.51
$0.63βΊ29.00
-1.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84βΊ363
$8.64βΊ400
-9.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23βΊ56.8
$1.20βΊ55.8
2.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.2KβΊ2.0M
$46.6KβΊ2.2M
-5.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.0KβΊ2.0M
$43.0KβΊ2.0M
0.05%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.6βΊ2,805
$73.1βΊ3,384
-17.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.78βΊ499
$12.17βΊ564
-11.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.68βΊ587
$14.81βΊ686
-14.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.93βΊ1,987
$60.3βΊ2,790
-28.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.55βΊ859
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.80βΊ268
$7.55βΊ349
-23.18%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$604βΊ27.9K
$947βΊ43.8K
-36.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,744βΊ404.7K
$18.1KβΊ836.5K
-51.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3βΊ2,374
$55.2βΊ2,556
-7.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.37βΊ2,100
$46.47βΊ2,151
-2.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103βΊ4,781
$113βΊ5,211
-8.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.3βΊ4,181
$107βΊ4,943
-15.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$513βΊ23.7K
$979βΊ45.3K
-47.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ18.3K
$609βΊ28.2K
-35.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$885βΊ40.9K
$1,771βΊ82.0K
-50.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712βΊ33.0K
$1,063βΊ49.2K
-33.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,333βΊ61.7K
$3,175βΊ147.0K
-58.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$782βΊ36.2K
$1,697βΊ78.6K
-53.93%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$878βΊ40.7K
$1,188βΊ55.0K
-26.05%
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 Erzincan: June 14, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $513 in Erzincan versus $979 in Istanbul. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 35% higher in Istanbul, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $31.00 in Erzincan versus $52.0 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $254 β making Erzincan 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
Erzincan vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Istanbul cheaper than Erzincan?
Yes β Istanbul is pricier by about 39%, 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 $1,591 per month in Erzincan and $2,205 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 Erzincan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 83% less in Erzincan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $604 per month in Erzincan and $947 in Istanbul. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Erzincan or Istanbul?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Erzincan, where all-in costs run around $1,060, than in Istanbul at $1,470. In Erzincan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Istanbul it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Erzincan or Istanbul more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Erzincan 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, Erzincan 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 Erzincan. 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.