Cost of Living in Istanbul - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $750 (excluding rent), and $1,459 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,916 (excluding rent), and $3,061 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.41 ₺484

$6.34 ₺269

$20.29 ₺861

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.7 ₺2,194

$31.01 ₺1,316

$77.5 ₺3,290

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.52 ₺319

$7.01 ₺298

$8.76 ₺372

Cappuccino

$3.47 ₺147

$2.24 ₺95.3

$5 ₺212

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.3 ₺55.1

$0.87 ₺36.86

$2.48 ₺105

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.46 ₺19.57

$0.24 ₺10.19

$1.22 ₺51.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.92 ₺166

$2.09 ₺88.6

$6.53 ₺277

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.05 ₺214

$2.77 ₺118

$7.58 ₺322

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 ₺44.88

$0.74 ₺31.29

$1.47 ₺62.6

White Bread (500g)

$0.77 ₺32.52

$0.37 ₺15.64

$2.21 ₺93.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.2 ₺93.3

$1.25 ₺52.9

$3.74 ₺159

Eggs

$2.71 ₺115

$1.55 ₺65.8

$3.73 ₺158

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.4 ₺441

$6.44 ₺273

$15.44 ₺655

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.5 ₺276

$3.77 ₺160

$10.05 ₺427

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.25 ₺859

$13.83 ₺587

$26.89 ₺1,141

Apples (1kg)

$1.47 ₺62.2

$0.8 ₺34.04

$2.01 ₺85.3

Banana (1kg)

$2.19 ₺93.1

$1.47 ₺62.6

$3.75 ₺159

Oranges (1kg)

$1.35 ₺57.2

$0.78 ₺33.19

$2.35 ₺99.6

Tomato (1kg)

$1.65 ₺70

$0.78 ₺33.05

$2.34 ₺99.2

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 ₺31.45

$0.3 ₺12.93

$1.16 ₺49.12

Onion (1kg)

$0.71 ₺30.33

$0.39 ₺16.47

$1.04 ₺44.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 ₺47.52

$0.74 ₺31.41

$1.73 ₺73.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ₺26.73

$0.4 ₺16.93

$1.07 ₺45.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.1 ₺89.3

$1.98 ₺84

$2.47 ₺105

Wine (Bottle)

$11.86 ₺504

$7.12 ₺302

$21.35 ₺906

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 ₺93

$1.53 ₺64.8

$3.28 ₺139

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 ₺131

$2.27 ₺96.3

$4.55 ₺193

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 ₺28.66

$1 ₺42.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.4 ₺2,307

$40.25 ₺1,708

$56.4 ₺2,394

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.09 ₺46.17

$1.05 ₺44.44

$2.06 ₺87.6

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.6 ₺25.29

$0.48 ₺20.31

$0.75 ₺31.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.86 ₺376

$5.96 ₺253

$8.86 ₺376

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 ₺49.49

$1.1 ₺46.55

$1.25 ₺53.3

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$46.1K ₺2M

$41K ₺1.7M

$51.2K ₺2.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$42.9K ₺1.8M

$37.7K ₺1.6M

$46.2K ₺2M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$73.1 ₺3,102

$45.45 ₺1,929

$108 ₺4,604

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.28 ₺521

$7.6 ₺323

$17.72 ₺752

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.08 ₺640

$11.6 ₺492

$21.91 ₺930

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.4 ₺2,607

$38.11 ₺1,617

$88.9 ₺3,774

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.75 ₺796

$15.33 ₺651

$21.73 ₺922

Cinema Ticket

$7.48 ₺317

$5.98 ₺254

$12.45 ₺529

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$957 ₺40.6K

$506 ₺21.5K

$1,693 ₺71.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.4K ₺779.3K

$9,765 ₺414.5K

$30.8K ₺1.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.5 ₺2,397

$25.48 ₺1,082

$89.2 ₺3,786

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.01 ₺1,995

$25.6 ₺1,087

$89.6 ₺3,803

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 ₺4,863

$64.3 ₺2,730

$154 ₺6,551

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 ₺4,533

$71.7 ₺3,042

$166 ₺7,062

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$969 ₺41.1K

$639 ₺27.1K

$1,533 ₺65.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$612 ₺26K

$502 ₺21.3K

$879 ₺37.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,798 ₺76.3K

$1,288 ₺54.7K

$2,577 ₺109.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,040 ₺44.1K

$755 ₺32K

$1,510 ₺64.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,971 ₺126.1K

$1,967 ₺83.5K

$4,684 ₺198.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,551 ₺65.8K

$947 ₺40.2K

$3,552 ₺150.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,044 ₺44.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

48.43

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia 🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Istanbul - Frequently Asked Questions

In general terms, Istanbul offers a broad spectrum of value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Local options for food, transit, and basic services keep day-to-day costs approachable, especially if you favor neighborhood markets and casual dining over tourist hubs. Long-stay housing varies by district and proximity to transit, so you can stretch your budget by choosing mid-range areas with good access. The city rewards flexible plans and seasonal adjustments in your routine. Cost of Living in Istanbul, Turkey showcases how lifestyle choices – walking or biking, using public transport, and mixing apartments with co-working spaces – shape value. Tip: lock in a few core neighborhoods to compare vibe and price before committing.

Daily life in Istanbul blends history with practical routines. A housing search pays off when you target neighborhoods with solid transit connections, safety, and a sense of community; you’ll find options across a wide price spectrum depending on distance from the old city and the ferry routes. Food ranges from bustling street stalls to affordable casual eateries and weekly markets where you can stock fresh ingredients. Getting around is straightforward with metro, tram, ferries, and buses; walking is rewarding in many districts. Co-working spaces and welcoming cafes support remote work for digital nomads. Istanbul, Turkey living cost varies by area, so pick a base that minimizes long commutes. Tip: test a few areas during different times of day.

Quality of life in Istanbul comes from smart budgeting and neighborhood fit. Build a simple framework: separate fixed needs (housing, utilities, transit) from flexible ones (eating out, leisure, travel). Favor apartments with good insulation and dependable transit access to reduce surprises. Embrace seasonal shifts – summer heat may raise cooling use, winter drafts push heating, and tourism patterns can affect quiet in popular areas. Neighborhood scouting helps you match pace to lifestyle, whether you want café culture, waterfront views, or quieter side streets. Tip: use a local sim, walkable routes, and a flexible long-term plan to adapt as you settle in.