Cost of living in Istanbul, Turkey

Summary of cost of living in Istanbul

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: 57,938TL
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: 31,894TL
  • Istanbul is the cheapest city in Middle East (10 out of 10)
  • Cost of living in Istanbul is cheaper than in 84% of cities in the World (193 out of 229)
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List of prices in Istanbul
Current as of Jun 2023.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district 174TL
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) 110TL
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast 50TL
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk 24TL
12 eggs, large 47TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes 22TL
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese 111TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 19TL
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 14TL
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket 48TL
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 285TL
2 liters of coca-cola 25TL
Bread for 2 people for 1 day 10TL
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area 29,414TL
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area 16,271TL
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat 1,402TL
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area 17,782TL
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area 9,246TL
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio 791TL
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) 156TL
40” flat screen tv 7,252TL
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) 2,108TL
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) 100TL
Hourly rate for cleaning help 160TL
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) 1,137TL
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) 719TL
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) 1,902TL
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes 1,460TL
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new 657,610TL
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 22TL
Monthly ticket public transport 514TL
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 108TL
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 47TL
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 74TL
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 767TL
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) 76TL
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) 92TL
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) 57TL
4 rolls of toilet paper 31TL
Tube of toothpaste 52TL
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city 122TL
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 445TL
2 tickets to the movies 152TL
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) 897TL
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert 950TL
1 cocktail drink in downtown club 360TL
Cappuccino in expat area of the city 57TL
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 90TL
Ipad wi-fi 128gb 15,103TL
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 1.00TL
1 month of gym membership in business district 1,249TL
1 package of marlboro cigarettes 39TL
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 2,391 prices entered by 291 different people.
Latest price update: June 04, 2023

Moving to Istanbul with your children?

International Schools in Istanbul

Istanbul position in our World Ranking

the world
193rd
out of 229
middle east
10th
out of 10

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

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