Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Zhytomyr and Istanbul

For one person, living is cheaper in Zhytomyr: $746 a month against $1,519 in Istanbul, rent and utilities included – about $9,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Zhytomyr, Ukraine
Istanbul, Turkey
Zhytomyr
🇺🇦 Ukraine
$746
/mo nomad
Istanbul
🇹🇷 Turkey
$1,519
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $746 per month in Zhytomyr vs $1,519 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Zhytomyr $746
  • Istanbul $1,519

A couple spends around $1,160 per month in Zhytomyr vs $2,365 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Zhytomyr $1,160
  • Istanbul $2,365

A family of three spends $1,575 per month in Zhytomyr vs $3,212 in Istanbul, rent included.

  • Zhytomyr $1,575
  • Istanbul $3,212

Zhytomyr is about 51% cheaper than Istanbul, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Zhytomyr sits 45% below the global median, while Istanbul is 12% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.78 ₴400
$11.81 ₺592
-25.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.30 ₴1,152
$54.9 ₺2,754
-53.92%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.83 ₴220
$9.26 ₺465
-47.84%
Cappuccino
$1.40 ₴63.6
$4.30 ₺216
-67.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58 ₴26.34
$1.77 ₺89.0
-67.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₴15.65
$0.56 ₺28.32
-39.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.63 ₴28.85
$4.69 ₺235
-86.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 ₴58.4
$7.12 ₺357
-82.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 ₴48.32
$1.25 ₺62.7
-15.20%
White Bread (500g)
$0.72 ₴32.85
$0.88 ₺44.17
-18.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.74 ₴79.4
$2.20 ₺111
-20.91%
Eggs
$1.89 ₴86.1
$2.43 ₺122
-22.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.39 ₴473
$10.48 ₺526
-0.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.84 ₴175
$5.31 ₺267
-27.68%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.22 ₴283
$21.10 ₺1,058
-70.52%
Apples (1kg)
$0.95 ₴43.13
$1.86 ₺93.1
-48.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 ₴65.5
$2.30 ₺115
-37.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45 ₴66.1
$1.22 ₺61.0
18.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 ₴189
$1.80 ₺90.2
130.56%
Potato (1kg)
$0.76 ₴34.54
$0.69 ₺34.83
10.14%
Onion (1kg)
$0.86 ₴38.97
$0.64 ₺32.16
34.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ₴48.63
$1.36 ₺68.0
-21.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 ₴28.99
$0.58 ₺28.94
10.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.46 ₴158
$2.34 ₺117
47.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.33 ₴197
$13.03 ₺653
-66.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 ₴41.26
$2.36 ₺118
-61.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 ₴68.8
$3.32 ₺166
-54.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 ₴14.49
$0.88 ₺44.07
-63.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.21 ₴419
$66.1 ₺3,316
-86.07%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.74 ₴79.1
$1.28 ₺64.4
35.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.36 ₴16.20
$0.85 ₺42.80
-57.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 ₴156
$11.09 ₺556
-69.16%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ₴66.8
$1.48 ₺74.0
-0.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K ₴1.4M
$48.6K ₺2.4M
-38.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6K ₴1.1M
$42.0K ₺2.1M
-43.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$84.2 ₴3,836
$92.7 ₺4,650
-9.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.08 ₴231
$11.20 ₺562
-54.64%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$4.58 ₴209
$15.89 ₺797
-71.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.98 ₴1,229
$74.7 ₺3,745
-63.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.93 ₴725
$22.95 ₺1,151
-30.59%
Cinema Ticket
$4.35 ₴198
$8.05 ₺404
-45.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$158 ₴7,210
$948 ₺47.6K
-83.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,727 ₴78.6K
$36.9K ₺1.9M
-95.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.5 ₴2,846
$53.9 ₺2,702
16.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.13 ₴1,235
$41.49 ₺2,081
-34.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.5 ₴3,165
$101 ₺5,060
-31.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.2 ₴3,469
$91.3 ₺4,580
-16.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$321 ₴14.6K
$1,014 ₺50.8K
-68.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$212 ₴9,676
$625 ₺31.3K
-65.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₴22.8K
$2,005 ₺100.6K
-75.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$364 ₴16.6K
$1,126 ₺56.5K
-67.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,051 ₴47.9K
$2,988 ₺149.8K
-64.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$871 ₴39.6K
$1,730 ₺86.8K
-49.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zhytomyr
Istanbul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$456 ₴20.8K
$1,136 ₺57.0K
-59.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
19.6
40.42
-51.51%

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

Last update for Zhytomyr: November 1, 2026

Last update for Istanbul: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Zhytomyr
$212
Istanbul
$625 194% $412
Groceries & Markets
Zhytomyr
$173
Istanbul
$258 48.9% $85
Eating Out
Zhytomyr
$111
Istanbul
$221 99.3% $110
Clothing & Footwear
Zhytomyr
$106
Istanbul
$129 22.2% $24
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zhytomyr
$94
Istanbul
$120 27.6% $26
Sport & Entertainment
Zhytomyr
$36
Istanbul
$91 154% $55
Getting Around
Zhytomyr
$14
Istanbul
$75 437% $61

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $321 in Zhytomyr 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 2.5 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Zhytomyr versus $55 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $173 vs $258 – making Zhytomyr the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇦 Zhytomyr
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🕒 Local time
11:30 11:30 AM
12:30 12:30 PM
1 h ahead of Zhytomyr
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
267,610
15,701,602
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

TRY, USD, EUR to UAH – Ukrainian Hryvnia Converter

Ukrainian Hryvnia exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 45.54 UAH (100 UAH = 2.2 USD). 1 EUR = 51.14 UAH (100 UAH = 1.96 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
  • Zhytomyr Istanbul 1,030 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Zhytomyr
  • 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
Zhytomyr vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zhytomyr cheaper than Istanbul?
Yes – Istanbul is pricier by about 104%, 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 $1,119 per month in Zhytomyr 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 Zhytomyr, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $321 there versus $1,014 in Istanbul.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $158 per month in Zhytomyr and $948 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 Zhytomyr and in Istanbul?
Groceries cost about 49% more in Istanbul, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is Zhytomyr or Istanbul more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Zhytomyr – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Zhytomyr 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 Zhytomyr. 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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