πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,062 in Esenyurt versus $1,452 in Istanbul.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,675 in Esenyurt versus $2,224 in Istanbul.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,288 in Esenyurt versus $2,996 in Istanbul.
πLiving in Esenyurt costs roughly 27% less than in Istanbul, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Esenyurt is 21% below, Istanbul is 8% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.54βΊ441
$11.30βΊ523
-15.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.85βΊ1,427
$51.7βΊ2,393
-40.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83βΊ362
$7.46βΊ345
4.96%
Cappuccino
$2.88βΊ133
$3.46βΊ160
-16.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16βΊ53.9
$1.35βΊ62.4
-14.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39βΊ18.11
$0.47βΊ21.56
-17.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22βΊ103
$3.83βΊ177
-42.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34βΊ108
$5.22βΊ241
-55.17%
π Groceries & Markets
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.94βΊ43.32
$1.07βΊ49.31
-12.15%
White Bread(500g)
$0.77βΊ35.66
$0.83βΊ38.18
-7.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.93βΊ89.3
$2.21βΊ102
-12.67%
Eggs
$1.89βΊ87.6
$2.59βΊ120
-27.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.04βΊ418
$10.32βΊ477
-12.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.58βΊ258
$6.53βΊ302
-14.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.79βΊ869
$19.83βΊ917
-5.24%
Apples(1kg)
$1.43βΊ66.1
$1.50βΊ69.6
-4.67%
Banana(1kg)
$2.25βΊ104
$2.19βΊ101
2.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.29βΊ59.7
$1.29βΊ59.8
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57βΊ72.4
$1.58βΊ73.2
-0.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76βΊ34.99
$0.76βΊ35.06
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.47βΊ21.58
$0.73βΊ33.85
-35.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.88βΊ40.50
$1.13βΊ52.3
-22.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30βΊ13.98
$0.58βΊ26.89
-48.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14βΊ98.8
$2.20βΊ102
-2.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.08βΊ559
$12.23βΊ566
-1.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98βΊ91.4
$2.12βΊ98.2
-6.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08βΊ96.4
$3.06βΊ142
-32.03%
π Getting Around
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.68βΊ31.43
$0.72βΊ33.44
-5.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.43βΊ1,408
$53.4βΊ2,469
-42.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88βΊ40.57
$1.09βΊ50.5
-19.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.64βΊ29.42
$0.64βΊ29.48
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.74βΊ404
$9.01βΊ417
-3.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15βΊ53.4
$1.15βΊ53.3
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.0KβΊ1.9M
$46.6KβΊ2.2M
-11.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.6KβΊ2.0M
$43.8KβΊ2.0M
-0.24%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$56.6βΊ2,618
$71.7βΊ3,315
-21.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.62βΊ445
$12.49βΊ578
-22.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.63βΊ538
$15.04βΊ696
-22.67%
π Sport & Entertainment
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.78βΊ1,979
$60.2βΊ2,786
-28.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.40βΊ851
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.64βΊ354
$7.66βΊ355
-0.26%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$365βΊ16.9K
$935βΊ43.2K
-60.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.2KβΊ840.6K
$17.8KβΊ824.6K
1.94%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3βΊ2,604
$55.9βΊ2,585
0.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.23βΊ2,093
$46.37βΊ2,145
-2.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101βΊ4,684
$115βΊ5,304
-11.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.0βΊ3,792
$106βΊ4,884
-22.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$521βΊ24.1K
$961βΊ44.4K
-45.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$391βΊ18.1K
$617βΊ28.6K
-36.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$900βΊ41.6K
$1,739βΊ80.4K
-48.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715βΊ33.1K
$1,028βΊ47.5K
-30.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,512βΊ70.0K
$3,097βΊ143.3K
-51.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,034βΊ47.8K
$1,664βΊ77.0K
-37.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Esenyurt
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,437βΊ66.5K
$1,170βΊ54.1K
22.84%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Istanbul: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $521 in Esenyurt and $961 in Istanbul. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Esenyurt pays 23% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $31.00 in Esenyurt vs $52.0 in Istanbul for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $251 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 37% in total monthly costs ($1,062 vs $1,452 including rent). Esenyurt is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Esenyurt or Istanbul?
Esenyurt pays 23% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Esenyurt and Istanbul?
Rent for a central apartment: $521 in Esenyurt versus $961 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 $365 in Esenyurt versus $935 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 11% 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 $1,062 in Esenyurt versus $1,452 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 37% less than in Istanbul. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.