Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Istanbul and the Republic of the Congo
For one person, living is cheaper in Istanbul: $1,526 a month against $1,646 in the Republic of the Congo, rent and utilities included – about $1,400 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in the Republic of the Congo outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.
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Istanbul Living Index74Cost of Living Index in IstanbulLearn more -
Republic of the Congo Living Index81Cost of Living Index in the Republic of the CongoLearn more
😐 Solo nomad: Istanbul is 2.6% more expensive than the Republic of the Congo without rent, and 7.3% cheaper with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Istanbul is 3.5% more expensive than the Republic of the Congo without rent, and 5.8% cheaper with rent.
🍽 Eating Out
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.88 ₺585
$8.51 FCFA 4,976
39.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.1 ₺2,714
$37.60 FCFA 22.0K
46.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.14 ₺450
$4.99 FCFA 2,919
83.17%
Cappuccino
$4.24 ₺209
$3.90 FCFA 2,284
8.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₺86.0
$1.62 FCFA 948
8.02%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 ₺26.83
$1.35 FCFA 790
-60.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.69 ₺231
$5.74 FCFA 3,360
-18.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.97 ₺294
$2.58 FCFA 1,511
131.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 ₺62.1
$2.56 FCFA 1,498
-50.78%
White Bread (500g)
$0.95 ₺46.81
$4.65 FCFA 2,720
-79.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.31 ₺114
$3.13 FCFA 1,832
-26.20%
Eggs
$2.47 ₺122
$2.52 FCFA 1,476
-1.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.55 ₺520
$15.89 FCFA 9,298
-33.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.60 ₺276
$7.21 FCFA 4,216
-22.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.21 ₺1,045
$12.10 FCFA 7,080
75.29%
Apples (1kg)
$1.93 ₺95.1
$2.86 FCFA 1,672
-32.52%
Banana (1kg)
$2.29 ₺113
$1.75 FCFA 1,025
30.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.28 ₺63.1
$3.52 FCFA 2,062
-63.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.84 ₺90.8
$4.06 FCFA 2,378
-54.68%
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 ₺32.86
$3.25 FCFA 1,902
-79.38%
Onion (1kg)
$0.59 ₺29.31
$2.43 FCFA 1,420
-75.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.33 ₺65.4
$1.29 FCFA 755
3.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 ₺29.10
$0.88 FCFA 513
-32.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.36 ₺116
$3.75 FCFA 2,193
-37.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.47 ₺664
$8.09 FCFA 4,734
66.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 ₺119
$1.05 FCFA 612
130.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54 ₺174
$1.74 FCFA 1,015
103.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.83 ₺40.64
$0.27 FCFA 158
207.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.5 ₺3,273
$23.35 FCFA 13.7K
184.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.35 ₺66.6
$1.67 FCFA 980
-19.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.85 ₺42.05
$1.66 FCFA 974
-48.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.86 ₺535
$6.79 FCFA 3,973
59.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ₺72.3
$1.29 FCFA 758
13.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$51.6K ₺2.5M
$29.0K FCFA 17.0M
77.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.4K ₺2.2M
$20.8K FCFA 12.2M
113.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$89.2 ₺4,395
$607 FCFA 355.1K
-85.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ₺572
$29.13 FCFA 17.0K
-60.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.10 ₺793
$43.35 FCFA 25.4K
-62.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$77.3 ₺3,805
$34.43 FCFA 20.1K
124.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.66 ₺1,116
$16.70 FCFA 9,769
35.69%
Cinema Ticket
$8.34 ₺411
$6.43 FCFA 3,761
29.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$974 ₺48.0K
$55.1 FCFA 32.2K
1668.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.8K ₺1.3M
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👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 ₺2,597
$46.27 FCFA 27.1K
13.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.16 ₺1,929
$48.44 FCFA 28.3K
-19.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 ₺5,083
$119 FCFA 69.6K
-13.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.6 ₺4,759
$116 FCFA 67.7K
-16.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$994 ₺49.0K
$795 FCFA 465.2K
25.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$629 ₺31.0K
$251 FCFA 146.7K
151.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,024 ₺99.7K
$2,616 FCFA 1.5M
-22.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,155 ₺56.9K
$977 FCFA 571.7K
18.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,160 ₺155.7K
$3,433 FCFA 2.0M
-7.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,838 ₺90.5K
$2,991 FCFA 1.8M
-38.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Istanbul
Republic of the Congo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,203 ₺59.3K
$382 FCFA 223.3K
215.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
41.09
9.51
332.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Istanbul: October 3, 2026
Last update for the Republic of the Congo: October 4, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Istanbul $629 41.2%
Republic of the Congo $251 15.1% 60.2% $379
Groceries & Markets
Istanbul $264 17.3%
Republic of the Congo $329 19.8% 24.7% $65
Eating Out
Istanbul $218 14.3%
Republic of the Congo $176 10.6% 19.4% $42
Clothing & Footwear
Istanbul $131 8.6%
Republic of the Congo $148 8.9% 12.9% $17
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Istanbul $117 7.7%
Republic of the Congo $679 40.8% 481% $563
Sport & Entertainment
Istanbul $94 6.1%
Republic of the Congo $47 2.8% 49.7% $47
Getting Around
Istanbul $75 4.9%
Republic of the Congo $34 2.1% 54.3% $41
Accommodation & Living
Istanbul $1.2K 35.5%
Republic of the Congo $977 28% 15.4% $178
Groceries & Markets
Istanbul $606 18.6%
Republic of the Congo $768 22% 26.7% $162
Eating Out
Istanbul $712 21.9%
Republic of the Congo $534 15.3% 25% $178
Clothing & Footwear
Istanbul $292 9%
Republic of the Congo $329 9.4% 12.9% $38
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Istanbul $129 4%
Republic of the Congo $709 20.3% 451% $580
Sport & Entertainment
Istanbul $211 6.5%
Republic of the Congo $111 3.2% 47.1% $99
Getting Around
Istanbul $152 4.7%
Republic of the Congo $69 2% 54.5% $83
Good to know
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo
Weather
Population
15,701,602
6,142,180
Exchange rates and currency converter
On the map
Lowest
Highest
Between locations
- Istanbul Republic of the Congo 5,220 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
- Istanbul
- Republic of the Congo
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Istanbul vs other spots: cost of living compared
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