Cost of living in Istanbul (Turkey) is 22% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 2,573 prices entered by 351 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Istanbul (Turkey) is 15% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 177TL (R 168) | R 141 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 110TL (R 105) | R 75 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 49TL (R 46) | R 44 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 24TL (R 22) | R 18 | + 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 49TL (R 46) | R 42 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 26TL (R 25) | R 25 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 84TL (R 80) | R 68 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 20TL (R 19) | R 26 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 11TL (R 10) | R 21 | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 41TL (R 39) | R 21 | + 86% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 264TL (R 251) | R 98 | + 157% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 24TL (R 23) | R 23 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 8TL (R 8) | R 16 | - 52% | |
| Housing | + 30% | |||
| Housing in Istanbul (Turkey) is 30% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 29,855TL (R 28,369) | R 13,780 | + 106% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 15,534TL (R 14,761) | R 10,879 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,855TL (R 1,762) | R 1,590 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 17,047TL (R 16,199) | R 8,082 | + 100% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,963TL (R 6,616) | R 5,851 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,495TL (R 1,421) | R 1,305 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 142TL (R 135) | R 670 | - 80% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,399TL (R 5,131) | R 6,060 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,473TL (R 2,350) | R 1,875 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 107TL (R 102) | R 93 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 93TL (R 89) | R 53 | + 69% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in Istanbul (Turkey) is 7% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,153TL (R 1,096) | R 844 | + 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 508TL (R 482) | R 591 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,488TL (R 1,414) | R 1,667 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,391TL (R 1,322) | R 1,353 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | + 11% | |||
| Transportation in Istanbul (Turkey) is 11% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 728,044TL (R 691,823) | R 328,375 | + 111% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 21TL (R 20) | R 24 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 723TL (R 687) | R 812 | - 15% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 128TL (R 122) | R 160 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Istanbul (Turkey) is 13% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 41TL (R 39) | R 60 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 49TL (R 46) | R 233 | - 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 825TL (R 784) | R 569 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 71TL (R 67) | R 44 | + 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 80TL (R 76) | R 32 | + 134% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 58TL (R 55) | R 57 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 49TL (R 46) | R 32 | + 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 50TL (R 48) | R 23 | + 106% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 235TL (R 223) | R 181 | + 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Istanbul (Turkey) is 63% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 612TL (R 581) | R 510 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 217TL (R 206) | R 238 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,496TL (R 1,422) | R 792 | + 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,920TL (R 1,824) | R 647 | + 182% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 321TL (R 305) | R 83 | + 265% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 68TL (R 65) | R 34 | + 88% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 74TL (R 70) | R 30 | + 138% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 15,351TL (R 14,587) | R 9,055 | + 61% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.38TL (R 1.32) | R 1.80 | - 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 662TL (R 629) | R 457 | + 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 36TL (R 34) | R 47 | - 27% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 22% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 2,573 prices entered by 351 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.950
ZAR
/
TRY
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For example, you would need at least R 45,296 (47,667TL) in Istanbul to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 37,000 in Johannesburg.
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