Cost of living in Istanbul, Turkey

Summary of cost of living in Istanbul

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 14,066TL
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 6,126TL
  • Istanbul is the most expensive city in Turkey (1 out of 4)
  • Cost of living in Istanbul is cheaper than in 64% of cities in Middle East (9 out of 14)
  • Cost of living in Istanbul is cheaper than in 83% of cities in the World (165 out of 200)

List of prices in Istanbul, Turkey. Current as of Feb 2021.

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 42TL
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 27TL
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 15TL
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 5.71TL
12 eggs, large 14TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 5.70TL
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 25TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 5.94TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 3.49TL
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 13TL
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 86TL
2 liters of coca-cola 7TL
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 2.61TL
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 4,260TL
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 2,697TL
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 573TL
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 3,507TL
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 1,908TL
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 393TL
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 72TL
40” flat screen tv 2,481TL
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 683TL
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 36TL
Hourly rate for cleaning help 32TL
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 247TL
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 205TL
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 485TL
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 335TL
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 211,355TL
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 7TL
Monthly ticket public transport 249TL
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 39TL
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 18TL
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 24TL
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 211TL
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 28TL
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 21TL
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 20TL
4 rolls of toilet paper 10TL
Tube of toothpaste 22TL
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 36TL
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 126TL
2 tickets to the movies 54TL
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 199TL
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 339TL
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 59TL
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 16TL
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 24TL
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 3,950TL
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.70TL
1 month of gym membership in business district 198TL
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 19TL
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 2,312 prices entered by 324 different people.
Latest price update: February 24, 2021

Moving to Istanbul with your children?

International Schools in Istanbul

Istanbul position in our World Ranking

the world
165th
out of 200
middle east
9th
out of 14
turkey
1st
out of 4

Cheapest and most expensive products in Istanbul compared to other cities:

the world
5th
the world
5th
middle east
1st
middle east
2nd
middle east
3rd
middle east
3rd

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International Cost of Living Index

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