Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Tashkent and Istanbul

For one person, living is cheaper in Tashkent: $1,048 a month against $1,525 in Istanbul, rent and utilities included – about $5,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Tashkent
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
$1,048
/mo nomad
Istanbul
🇹🇷 Turkey
$1,525
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tashkent 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 Tashkent and in Istanbul actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,048 per month in Tashkent vs $1,525 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Tashkent $1,048
  • Istanbul $1,525

A couple spends around $1,646 per month in Tashkent vs $2,390 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Tashkent $1,646
  • Istanbul $2,390

A family of three spends $2,244 per month in Tashkent vs $3,256 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Tashkent $2,244
  • Istanbul $3,256

Tashkent is about 31% cheaper than Istanbul, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Tashkent sits 23% below the global median, while Istanbul is 13% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.73 UZS 81.1K
$11.96 ₺592
-43.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.94 UZS 397.0K
$57.2 ₺2,834
-42.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.13 UZS 61.9K
$9.51 ₺471
-46.06%
Cappuccino
$2.55 UZS 30.7K
$4.40 ₺218
-42.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 UZS 8,488
$1.75 ₺86.6
-60.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 UZS 3,955
$0.56 ₺27.57
-41.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.09 UZS 25.2K
$4.71 ₺233
-55.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77 UZS 45.4K
$6.14 ₺304
-38.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.30 UZS 15.7K
$1.24 ₺61.6
4.84%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 UZS 10.2K
$0.95 ₺47.25
-10.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 UZS 19.7K
$2.28 ₺113
-28.51%
Eggs
$1.80 UZS 21.6K
$2.45 ₺121
-26.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.04 UZS 96.9K
$10.56 ₺523
-23.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.07 UZS 49.1K
$5.50 ₺272
-26.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.49 UZS 150.6K
$21.65 ₺1,072
-42.31%
Apples (1kg)
$1.49 UZS 18.0K
$1.83 ₺90.6
-18.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.81 UZS 21.8K
$2.29 ₺113
-20.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 UZS 26.4K
$1.28 ₺63.4
71.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.70 UZS 20.5K
$1.82 ₺90.1
-6.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.60 UZS 7,171
$0.66 ₺32.74
-9.09%
Onion (1kg)
$0.37 UZS 4,488
$0.63 ₺31.14
-41.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 UZS 12.3K
$1.27 ₺62.8
-19.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44 UZS 5,351
$0.56 ₺27.62
-21.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.95 UZS 23.5K
$2.36 ₺117
-17.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.33 UZS 88.4K
$12.98 ₺642
-43.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 UZS 15.9K
$2.48 ₺123
-46.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55 UZS 42.7K
$3.50 ₺174
1.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.15 UZS 1,786
$0.82 ₺40.77
-81.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.30 UZS 148.2K
$65.2 ₺3,228
-81.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.86 UZS 10.4K
$1.33 ₺65.7
-35.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 UZS 4,382
$0.90 ₺44.60
-60.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.18 UZS 38.4K
$10.91 ₺540
-70.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 UZS 13.6K
$1.43 ₺70.7
-20.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.3K UZS 208.5M
$49.6K ₺2.5M
-65.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K UZS 249.8M
$43.2K ₺2.1M
-52.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$67.2 UZS 809.7K
$88.8 ₺4,395
-24.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.40 UZS 53.0K
$11.69 ₺579
-62.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.35 UZS 160.9K
$16.09 ₺797
-17.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.5 UZS 813.2K
$76.3 ₺3,776
-11.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.05 UZS 217.5K
$22.72 ₺1,125
-20.55%
Cinema Ticket
$5.66 UZS 68.2K
$8.26 ₺409
-31.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$333 UZS 4.0M
$1,015 ₺50.2K
-67.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,238 UZS 111.3M
$25.8K ₺1.3M
-64.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.73 UZS 599.3K
$53.3 ₺2,636
-6.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 UZS 698.6K
$40.55 ₺2,008
42.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 UZS 1.3M
$100 ₺4,956
11.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134 UZS 1.6M
$93.5 ₺4,630
43.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$595 UZS 7.2M
$977 ₺48.4K
-39.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$395 UZS 4.8M
$627 ₺31.0K
-37.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,188 UZS 14.3M
$1,980 ₺98.0K
-39.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$735 UZS 8.9M
$1,147 ₺56.8K
-35.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,621 UZS 19.5M
$3,095 ₺153.2K
-47.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$944 UZS 11.4M
$1,787 ₺88.5K
-47.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tashkent
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$716 UZS 8.6M
$1,213 ₺60.1K
-40.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
23.31
40.69
-42.71%

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

Last update for Tashkent: October 19, 2026

Last update for Istanbul: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Tashkent
$395
Istanbul
$627 58.8% $232
Groceries & Markets
Tashkent
$193
Istanbul
$263 36% $69
Clothing & Footwear
Tashkent
$159
Istanbul
$129 18.7% $30
Eating Out
Tashkent
$122
Istanbul
$222 82% $100
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tashkent
$85
Istanbul
$117 37.2% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Tashkent
$79
Istanbul
$93 17.7% $14
Getting Around
Tashkent
$16
Istanbul
$74 377% $59

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $595 in Tashkent versus $977 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 run about 69% higher in Istanbul, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Tashkent versus $57.0 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $263 – making Tashkent the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇿 Tashkent
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🕒 Local time
06:52 6:52 AM
04:52 4:52 AM
2 h behind Tashkent
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,956,384 Capital
15,701,602
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

TRY, USD, EUR to UZS – Uzbekistani Som Converter

Uzbekistani Som exchange rates as of October 25, 2026: 1 USD = 12,051 UZS (100,000 UZS = 8.3 USD). 1 EUR = 13,548 UZS (100,000 UZS = 7.38 EUR).

Turkish Lira exchange rates as of October 25, 2026: 1 USD = 49.51 TRY (100 TRY = 2.02 USD). 1 EUR = 55.66 TRY (100 TRY = 1.8 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Tashkent Istanbul 3,340 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Tashkent
  • 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
Tashkent vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Istanbul cheaper than Tashkent?
Yes – Istanbul is pricier by about 45%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,572 per month in Tashkent and $2,287 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 Tashkent, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $333 per month in Tashkent and $1,015 in Istanbul. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Tashkent and in Istanbul?
Groceries cost about 36% more in Istanbul, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Tashkent or in Istanbul?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Tashkent, where all-in costs run around $1,048, than in Istanbul at $1,525. In Tashkent it covers expenses comfortably, while in Istanbul it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Tashkent or Istanbul more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tashkent – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Tashkent 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tashkent. 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.

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