πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,073 in Esenyurt versus $1,431 in Istanbul.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,681 in Esenyurt versus $2,191 in Istanbul.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,289 in Esenyurt versus $2,952 in Istanbul.
πLiving in Esenyurt costs roughly 25% less than in Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Esenyurt is 20% below, Istanbul is 7% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.44βΊ426
$11.52βΊ520
-18.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.68βΊ1,385
$51.0βΊ2,304
-39.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42βΊ335
$7.60βΊ343
-2.37%
Cappuccino
$2.83βΊ128
$3.63βΊ164
-22.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13βΊ51.0
$1.35βΊ61.1
-16.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42βΊ19.14
$0.47βΊ21.13
-10.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21βΊ99.9
$3.92βΊ177
-43.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27βΊ102
$5.20βΊ235
-56.35%
π Groceries & Markets
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96βΊ43.22
$1.10βΊ49.69
-12.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.80βΊ36.26
$0.83βΊ37.38
-3.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95βΊ88.2
$2.26βΊ102
-13.72%
Eggs
$1.96βΊ88.6
$2.71βΊ122
-27.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.15βΊ413
$10.45βΊ472
-12.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.64βΊ255
$6.59βΊ297
-14.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.42βΊ832
$20.07βΊ906
-8.22%
Apples(1kg)
$1.42βΊ64.0
$1.44βΊ65.2
-1.39%
Banana(1kg)
$2.19βΊ98.7
$2.29βΊ103
-4.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32βΊ59.7
$1.29βΊ58.4
2.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55βΊ69.9
$1.63βΊ73.5
-4.91%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76βΊ34.29
$0.71βΊ32.24
7.04%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46βΊ20.74
$0.73βΊ33.08
-36.99%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90βΊ40.54
$1.17βΊ52.6
-23.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28βΊ12.49
$0.59βΊ26.48
-52.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19βΊ98.7
$2.15βΊ96.9
1.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.29βΊ555
$11.99βΊ541
2.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98βΊ89.2
$2.15βΊ97.0
-7.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07βΊ93.6
$3.02βΊ136
-31.46%
π Getting Around
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.52
$0.72βΊ32.32
-12.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.19βΊ1,363
$53.1βΊ2,396
-43.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96βΊ43.13
$1.09βΊ49.28
-11.93%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59βΊ26.82
$0.64βΊ28.73
-7.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.98βΊ405
$8.74βΊ395
2.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21βΊ54.5
$1.21βΊ54.5
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.8KβΊ1.9M
$44.8KβΊ2.0M
-6.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ1.9M
$43.2KβΊ1.9M
-0.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.9βΊ2,612
$71.4βΊ3,221
-18.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.79βΊ442
$12.44βΊ562
-21.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.93βΊ539
$14.58βΊ658
-18.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.20βΊ1,950
$62.4βΊ2,818
-30.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.58βΊ839
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.82βΊ353
$7.57βΊ342
3.30%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$364βΊ16.4K
$950βΊ42.9K
-61.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9KβΊ806.7K
$18.0KβΊ814.5K
-0.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.2βΊ2,582
$57.0βΊ2,572
0.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.47βΊ2,007
$46.42βΊ2,096
-4.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103βΊ4,628
$113βΊ5,108
-9.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.2βΊ3,618
$108βΊ4,869
-25.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$514βΊ23.2K
$982βΊ44.3K
-47.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$399βΊ18.0K
$631βΊ28.5K
-36.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$874βΊ39.5K
$1,769βΊ79.8K
-50.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$704βΊ31.8K
$1,057βΊ47.7K
-33.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,340βΊ60.5K
$3,300βΊ149.0K
-59.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$946βΊ42.7K
$1,659βΊ74.9K
-42.94%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,045βΊ47.2K
$1,198βΊ54.1K
-12.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
42.62
48.43
-12.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Esenyurt: April 27, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $514 in Esenyurt and $982 in Istanbul. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Istanbul pays 15% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $31.00 in Esenyurt vs $51.0 in Istanbul for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $254 per month, with Esenyurt cheaper across the board.
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
Esenyurt vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Esenyurt and Istanbul?
Esenyurt and Istanbul differ by about 33% in total monthly costs ($1,073 vs $1,431 including rent). Esenyurt is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Istanbul earns 15% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Esenyurt and Istanbul?
Rent for a central apartment: $514 in Esenyurt versus $982 in Istanbul. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Esenyurt and Istanbul?
Childcare runs $364 in Esenyurt versus $950 in Istanbul. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 12% higher in Istanbul. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,073 in Esenyurt versus $1,431 in Istanbul, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Esenyurt but tight or insufficient in Istanbul. The gap between the two cities makes Esenyurt the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Esenyurt and Istanbul?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Esenyurt or Istanbul safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Esenyurt and Istanbul are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Esenyurt or Istanbul?
Expats usually find Esenyurt gentler on the wallet β expenses run 33% less than in Istanbul. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.