πA single person spends $1,066 per month in Erzincan vs $1,431 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,668 per month in Erzincan vs $2,191 in Istanbul, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,271 per month in Erzincan vs $2,952 in Istanbul, rent included.
πErzincan is about 26% cheaper than Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πErzincan 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
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.66βΊ345
$11.52βΊ519
-33.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.36βΊ1,369
$51.0βΊ2,301
-40.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.64βΊ345
$7.60βΊ343
0.53%
Cappuccino
$2.85βΊ129
$3.63βΊ164
-21.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30βΊ58.5
$1.35βΊ61.1
-3.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43βΊ19.29
$0.47βΊ21.10
-8.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51βΊ158
$3.92βΊ177
-10.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.05βΊ182
$5.20βΊ235
-22.12%
π Groceries & Markets
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03βΊ46.25
$1.10βΊ49.63
-6.36%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73βΊ32.82
$0.83βΊ37.34
-12.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19βΊ98.5
$2.26βΊ102
-3.10%
Eggs
$1.88βΊ84.8
$2.71βΊ122
-30.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81βΊ442
$10.45βΊ471
-6.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.50βΊ248
$6.59βΊ297
-16.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.62βΊ885
$20.07βΊ905
-2.24%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30βΊ58.5
$1.44βΊ65.1
-9.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09βΊ94.2
$2.29βΊ103
-8.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05βΊ47.38
$1.29βΊ58.3
-18.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.27βΊ57.2
$1.63βΊ73.4
-22.09%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73βΊ32.82
$0.71βΊ32.21
2.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59βΊ26.80
$0.73βΊ33.04
-19.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85βΊ38.25
$1.17βΊ52.6
-27.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49βΊ21.98
$0.59βΊ26.45
-16.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.10βΊ94.8
$2.15βΊ96.8
-2.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.67βΊ572
$11.99βΊ541
5.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08βΊ93.7
$2.15βΊ96.9
-3.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97βΊ134
$3.02βΊ136
-1.66%
π Getting Around
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67βΊ30.32
$0.72βΊ32.28
-6.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.94βΊ1,395
$53.1βΊ2,393
-41.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ49.05
$1.09βΊ49.22
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.64βΊ28.91
$0.64βΊ28.70
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.58βΊ342
$8.74βΊ394
-13.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17βΊ52.7
$1.21βΊ54.5
-3.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.8KβΊ2.0M
$44.8KβΊ2.0M
-2.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.7KβΊ2.0M
$43.2KβΊ1.9M
1.24%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.3βΊ2,808
$71.4βΊ3,217
-12.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.84βΊ489
$12.44βΊ561
-12.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.82βΊ578
$14.58βΊ657
-12.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.08βΊ1,987
$62.4βΊ2,815
-29.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.58βΊ838
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78βΊ261
$7.57βΊ342
-23.65%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614βΊ27.7K
$950βΊ42.8K
-35.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,783βΊ396.0K
$18.0KβΊ813.6K
-51.32%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.6βΊ2,282
$57.0βΊ2,569
-11.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.87βΊ2,068
$46.42βΊ2,093
-1.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102βΊ4,587
$113βΊ5,102
-10.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.7βΊ4,088
$108βΊ4,864
-15.95%
π Accommodation & Living
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$517βΊ23.3K
$982βΊ44.3K
-47.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ17.8K
$631βΊ28.4K
-37.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$888βΊ40.0K
$1,769βΊ79.7K
-49.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$703βΊ31.7K
$1,057βΊ47.7K
-33.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,325βΊ59.8K
$3,300βΊ148.8K
-59.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$904βΊ40.8K
$1,659βΊ74.8K
-45.50%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Erzincan
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$908βΊ40.9K
$1,198βΊ54.0K
-24.22%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $517 in Erzincan 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.
π°Salaries run about 32% 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 $30.00 in Erzincan versus $51.0 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $233 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 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 $1,598 per month in Erzincan 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 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 72% less in Erzincan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $614 per month in Erzincan and $950 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 $1,066, than in Istanbul at $1,431. 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.