✦ Cost of living
Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
US = 100
In plain terms: Istanbul is about 46% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $650/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing55−45%
- Food & groceries52−48%
- Transport40−60%
- Utilities60−40%
- Healthcare45−55%
- Goods & services60−40%
About
“The City on Two Continents”
The only megacity straddling two continents — 15 million people where Europe meets Asia. Big-city energy, deep history and world-class food at a fraction of Western-European prices, offset by a volatile lira and long cross-Bosphorus commutes.
- Currency
- Turkish lira · TRY
- Languages
- Turkish
- Coordinates
- 41.01, 28.98
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
40%
Income tax
progressive
20%
VAT / sales
15%
Social (employee)
25%
Corporate
$700
Avg net salary
per month
Brackets 15/20/27/35/40%.
High inflation drives frequent bracket and minimum-wage revaluations.
Visas & residency
Short-term residence permit (ikamet) is the common route; a new Digital Nomad program (2024) and citizenship by property investment.
✈ Visa-free or e-Visa short stays (up to 90 days) for many passports (EU, UK, US…).
Renewable; used by remote workers and property owners.
2024 program: remote workers 21–55 with a degree and proof of income.
$400,000 property purchase, held 3 years.
Employer-sponsored.
Permanent residence after ~8 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Long-term residence after 8 years; naturalization after 5.
Quality of life
Safety
58/100
Healthcare
65/100
Pollution
62/100
Internet
60 Mbps
Jan avg
+6 °C
Jul avg
+24 °C
Sunny days
190/yr
Walkability
70/100
Public transit
72/100
Family-friendly
60/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 50
- Tap water
- Not recommended
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Istanbul, TR?
Istanbul, TR's cost-of-living index is 54 (US average = 100) — about 46% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $650 per month.
What are the average living costs in Istanbul, TR?
Living costs in Istanbul, TR are about 46% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 54 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $650. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Istanbul, TR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $650 per month, and around $400 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Turkey?
Turkey has a top income-tax rate of 40% and a VAT or sales tax of 20%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Istanbul, TR?
Istanbul, TR averages around +6 °C in January and +24 °C in July, with roughly 190 sunny days a year.
Is Istanbul, TR safe?
Istanbul, TR scores 58 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Istanbul with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.