Cost of living in Istanbul (Turkey) is 12% more expensive than in Ankara (Turkey)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,585 prices entered by 216 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Istanbul (Turkey) is 13% cheaper than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 448TL | 523TL | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 319TL | 377TL | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 132TL | 161TL | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40TL | 48TL | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 101TL | 101TL | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 49TL | 56TL | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 172TL | 351TL | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 48TL | 60TL | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 26TL | 29TL | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 76TL | 90TL | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 566TL | 613TL | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 57TL | 58TL | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 20TL | 16TL | + 27% | |
| Housing | + 32% | |||
| Housing in Istanbul (Turkey) is 32% more expensive than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,547TL | 40,831TL | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 32,639TL | 31,746TL | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,994TL | 2,742TL | + 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 41,026TL | 32,846TL | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 26,365TL | 11,585TL | + 128% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,729TL | 1,675TL | + 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 444TL | 463TL | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 15,702TL | 9,738TL | + 61% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 5,813TL | 4,303TL | + 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 219TL | 101TL | + 117% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 273TL | 239TL | + 14% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in Istanbul (Turkey) is 6% cheaper than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,448TL | 2,449TL | - 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,543TL | 1,382TL | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,173TL | 5,909TL | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 3,539TL | 4,683TL | - 24% | |
| Transportation | + 28% | |||
| Transportation in Istanbul (Turkey) is 28% more expensive than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,706,770TL | 1,353,030TL | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 45TL | 46TL | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,512TL | 1,061TL | + 42% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 267TL | 200TL | + 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 18% | |||
| Personal Care in Istanbul (Turkey) is 18% cheaper than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 139TL | 104TL | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 146TL | 113TL | + 30% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,573TL | 6,423TL | - 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 134TL | 192TL | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 163TL | 119TL | + 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 123TL | 89TL | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 97TL | 36TL | + 173% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 110TL | 73TL | + 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 571TL | 352TL | + 62% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Istanbul (Turkey) is 17% more expensive than in Ankara (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Ankara | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,576TL | 1,919TL | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 605TL | 349TL | + 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,699TL | 2,431TL | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,945TL | 3,249TL | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 510TL | 274TL | + 86% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 159TL | 106TL | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 189TL | 203TL | - 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 26,210TL | 23,574TL | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 5.01TL | 0.73TL | + 586% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,260TL | 1,303TL | + 74% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 73TL | 81TL | - 9% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 12% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,585 prices entered by 216 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least 145,867TL in Istanbul to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 130,000TL in Ankara.
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