Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nukus and Istanbul

For one person, living is cheaper in Nukus: $621 a month against $1,519 in Istanbul, rent and utilities included – about $10,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nukus, Uzbekistan
Istanbul, Turkey
Nukus
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
$621
/mo nomad
Istanbul
🇹🇷 Turkey
$1,519
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nukus and in Istanbul

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Nukus and in Istanbul actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $621 per month in Nukus vs $1,519 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Nukus $621
  • Istanbul $1,519

A couple spends around $874 per month in Nukus vs $2,365 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Nukus $874
  • Istanbul $2,365

A family of three spends $1,126 per month in Nukus vs $3,212 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Nukus $1,126
  • Istanbul $3,212

Nukus is about 59% cheaper than Istanbul, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Nukus sits 54% below the global median, while Istanbul is 12% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.34 UZS 111.9K
$11.81 ₺592
-20.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.90 UZS 405.9K
$54.9 ₺2,754
-38.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.82 UZS 57.8K
$9.26 ₺465
-47.95%
Cappuccino
$1.53 UZS 18.3K
$4.30 ₺216
-64.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 UZS 11.0K
$1.77 ₺89.0
-48.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 UZS 8,983
$0.56 ₺28.32
33.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.03 UZS 12.3K
$4.69 ₺235
-78.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$7.12 ₺357
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 UZS 15.1K
$1.25 ₺62.7
0.80%
White Bread (500g)
$0.24 UZS 2,873
$0.88 ₺44.17
-72.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 UZS 19.3K
$2.20 ₺111
-26.82%
Eggs
$1.28 UZS 15.3K
$2.43 ₺122
-47.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.92 UZS 58.9K
$10.48 ₺526
-53.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.26 UZS 39.1K
$5.31 ₺267
-38.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.67 UZS 91.8K
$21.10 ₺1,058
-63.65%
Apples (1kg)
$0.92 UZS 11.1K
$1.86 ₺93.1
-50.54%
Banana (1kg)
$2.44 UZS 29.2K
$2.30 ₺115
6.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.32 UZS 39.7K
$1.22 ₺61.0
172.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.29 UZS 15.5K
$1.80 ₺90.2
-28.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.48 UZS 5,714
$0.69 ₺34.83
-30.43%
Onion (1kg)
$0.35 UZS 4,133
$0.64 ₺32.16
-45.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.44 UZS 5,281
$1.36 ₺68.0
-67.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 UZS 6,157
$0.58 ₺28.94
-12.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.63 UZS 19.5K
$2.34 ₺117
-30.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$2.87 UZS 34.4K
$13.03 ₺653
-77.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.62 UZS 7,379
$2.36 ₺118
-73.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.32 ₺166
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 UZS 2,869
$0.88 ₺44.07
-72.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$66.1 ₺3,316
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.60 UZS 7,211
$1.28 ₺64.4
-53.13%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 UZS 8,233
$0.85 ₺42.80
-18.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.45 UZS 29.3K
$11.09 ₺556
-77.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 UZS 16.3K
$1.48 ₺74.0
-8.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.4K UZS 495.8M
$48.6K ₺2.4M
-14.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K UZS 386.6M
$42.0K ₺2.1M
-23.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$25.30 UZS 303.0K
$92.7 ₺4,650
-72.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.57 UZS 30.7K
$11.20 ₺562
-77.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.17 UZS 121.8K
$15.89 ₺797
-36.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$106 UZS 1.3M
$74.7 ₺3,745
42.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.83 UZS 81.8K
$22.95 ₺1,151
-70.24%
Cinema Ticket
$2.77 UZS 33.2K
$8.05 ₺404
-65.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$948 ₺47.6K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$36.9K ₺1.9M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.58 UZS 222.5K
$53.9 ₺2,702
-65.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.02 UZS 251.8K
$41.49 ₺2,081
-49.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$101 ₺5,060
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1 UZS 695.1K
$91.3 ₺4,580
-36.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$208 UZS 2.5M
$1,014 ₺50.8K
-79.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$165 UZS 2.0M
$625 ₺31.3K
-73.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,005 ₺100.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,126 ₺56.5K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,988 ₺149.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,730 ₺86.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nukus
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$160 UZS 1.9M
$1,136 ₺57.0K
-85.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
28
40.42
-30.73%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Nukus: November 3, 2026

Last update for Istanbul: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nukus
$165
Istanbul
$625 279% $460
Groceries & Markets
Nukus
$139 *
Istanbul
$258 86.5% $120
Eating Out
Nukus
$119 *
Istanbul
$221 85.1% $102
Sport & Entertainment
Nukus
$112
Istanbul
$91 18.7% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Nukus
$44 *
Istanbul
$129 195% $85
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nukus
$38
Istanbul
$120 215% $82
Getting Around
Nukus
$5 *
Istanbul
$75 1404% $70

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $208 in Nukus versus $1,014 in Istanbul. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Istanbul are about 7.1 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Nukus versus $55 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $139 vs $258 – making Nukus the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇿 Nukus
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🕒 Local time
12:44 12:44 PM
10:44 10:44 AM
2 h behind Nukus
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
335,491
15,701,602
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

TRY, USD, EUR to UZS – Uzbekistani Som Converter

Uzbekistani Som exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 11,975 UZS (100,000 UZS = 8.35 USD). 1 EUR = 13,449 UZS (100,000 UZS = 7.44 EUR).

Turkish Lira exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 50.15 TRY (100 TRY = 1.99 USD). 1 EUR = 56.33 TRY (100 TRY = 1.78 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nukus Istanbul 2,530 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Nukus
  • Istanbul

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
Nukus vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nukus cheaper than Istanbul?
Yes – Istanbul is pricier by about 145%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $932 per month in Nukus and $2,278 in Istanbul. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Nukus, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $208 there versus $1,014 in Istanbul.
How do food prices compare in Nukus and in Istanbul?
Groceries cost about 86% more in Istanbul, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is eating out cheaper in Nukus or in Istanbul?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Nukus and $55 in Istanbul. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget for living in Nukus or in Istanbul?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Nukus, where all-in costs run around $621, than in Istanbul at $1,519. In Nukus it covers expenses comfortably, while in Istanbul it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Nukus or in Istanbul?
It depends on your priorities. Istanbul has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $621 in Nukus to $1,519 in Istanbul. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Nukus or Istanbul?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Nukus. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Istanbul makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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