Turkey is one of the few countries that spans both Asia and Europe. Compared to other countries in Europe, it is one of the more affordable places to visit.
However, prices have gone up in Turkey the past few years due to inflation and other global events so it is not as cheap as it once was. As the Lira has dropped in value, imported goods have become more expensive, such as fuel, food and technology.
Is Turkey cheap to live?
Key takeaways
- If you rely on a foreign income, for example one that pays in USD, you will find Turkey a more affordable place to live (comparatively).
- Much like everywhere else in the world prices have gone up.
- Rent prices have increased in Istanbul significantly compared to what they were just a few years ago.
Much like other countries experiencing inflation, Turkish businesses have felt the pain especially, with production costs rising. Locals have had to stretch their pay checks to cover the increased costs of rent and food.
Fortunately, the minimum wage was doubled (in 2023) an effort to keep up with the cost of living.
In 2021, 1 US Dollar was worth 8 Lira, as of February 2024, 1 US Dollar is worth 30 Turkish Lira.
Living cost by city
All that being said, the cost of living can still be reasonable for a foreigner in Turkey depending on what region you live in. It’s more expensive to live in the big cities like Istanbul (which is still much cheaper than somewhere like New York or Sydney) than in smaller cities or towns.
So, what does it cost to live in a big city? Below we’ll compare the cost of living in Turkey’s largest cities using Numbeo’s price guide and personal experience.
The prices we have listed are in USD.
Istanbul: Population 16 million
For those seeking employment, Istanbul is the historic, cultural and economic hub of Turkey which makes it good for business. It comes with a price tag though as Turkey’s most expensive city.
Costs in Istanbul
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $8.30 USD
Cappuccino: $3.20 USD
One-way transport ticket: $0.53 USD
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $718 USD
Ankara: Population 6 million
The cost of living is fairly reasonable in Turkey’s capital city (rent is 55% cheaper than in Istanbul). Ankara is a university city with lots of going on in terms of cultural and social activities.
Costs in Ankara
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $4.25
Cappuccino: $2.20
One way Transport Ticket: $0.45
Monthly costs for a single person, without rent: $400
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $294
Izmir: Population 4 million
Izmir has many of the same amenities as Istanbul (such as being a major transportation hub) but with a lower price tag with rent around 50% cheaper. It is one of the most westernized places in Turkey, so communicating with real estate agents will be more straightforward. Located on the Aegean coast, the temperature is a mild with an average of 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) in summer and 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) in winter.
Costs in Izmir
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $4.25
Cappuccino: $2.20
One way Transport Ticket: $0.40
Monthly costs for a single person, without rent: $402
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $327
Bursa: Population 3 million
The entire city of Bursa is a world heritage site known for its Ottoman architecture. It is also a great place for families to buy their first home with very low house prices.
Costs in Bursa
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $3.72
Cappuccino: $1.89
One way Transport Ticket: $0.40
Monthly costs for a single person, without rent: $497
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $230
Antalya: Population 2.6 million
Antalya is another seaside city with lots of tourists, which makes it the ideal place for entrepreneurs to set up a hotel or restaurant or pursue a career in tourism.
Costs in Antalya
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $5.04
Cappuccino: $2.80
One way Transport Ticket: $0.42
Monthly costs for a single person, without rent: $403
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $604
What about the cost of living in Turkey’s popular holiday destinations? Unfortunately most of them are expensive too (comparable to that of living in Istanbul) but not all of them!
Bodrum: Population 187,000
In the 1960s, Bodrum was transformed into a chic and sophisticated town as it attracted renowned foreign artists, authors and other creatives. Now it offers upscale living for a comparable price to living in Istanbul, with the perks of being a holiday destination.
Costs in Bodrum
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $5.31
Cappuccino: $2.60
One way Transport Ticket: $0.40
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $690
Alanya: Population 327,000
With its stunning Mediterranean coast and fast-growing expat scene, Alanya sits roughly 133km from Antalya on the south coast of Turkey.
Costs in Alanya
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $5.31
Cappuccino: $2.20
One way Transport Ticket: $0.48
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $638
Marmaris: Population in holiday season 500,000
Marmaris, a coastal resort town located in southwest Turkey on the world-renowned Turkish Riviera, offers a sea-lovers lifestyle for holiday makers.
Costs in Marmaris
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $6.37
Cappuccino: $2.60
One way Transport Ticket: $0.53
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $477
Fethiye: Population 161,000
Fethiye is a seaside town on the southwestern Turquoise Coast. With an incredible natural harbour and stunning landscapes, it is surprisingly one of the cheapest cities to live in (along with Bursa and Izmir).
Costs in Fethiye
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $4.78
Cappuccino: $2.60
One way Transport Ticket: $0.45
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city each month: $381
Why is Istanbul so expensive?
At least one-fifth of all Turks live in Istanbul. But why is it the most expensive city? It is a densely populated city (the largest city in Europe) with over 15 million people, which makes the property market difficult to enter, pushing prices up.
There are also many international companies located in Istanbul which means that people travel from all over the world to Istanbul for work. The minimum monthly salary in Turkiye of ~$547 USD (Jan 2023) can’t cover the average rent in a one-bedroom apartment in the city center at $720 USD, let alone other living costs like utilities and groceries. So it costs more to live in a big city like this than what most people make.
How can I live on a budget in Turkey?
Groceries in Turkey
Most groceries are not expensive in Turkey if you shop at a discount supermarket like Sok, BIM or A101. If you are after imported goods or speciality items like almond or coconut milk, then you will see a hefty price tag.
Coffee prices in Turkey
Coffee varies wildly in price depending on what café you choose, so if you’re on a budget it’s a good idea to check the menu before you sit down. Prices for a latte range from 60 - 120 Lira ($2-$3.90 USD).
Alcohol prices in Turkey
Alcohol is cheaper compared to European countries (between $2-$2.50 USD for a bottle of beer ). It isn’t served everywhere, with Turkey being a predominantly Muslim country, so you will need to check the menu to see if they serve alcohol before choosing a restaurant. You can sometimes bring your own alcohol, just check with the staff if it’s okay before you start drinking.
A mid-range bottle of wine costs around $10 USD, but you can purchase one for much cheaper too.
Entertainment prices in Turkey
It costs around $4 USD to see a movie at the cinema, $5 for a combo meal at McDonalds and $1.50 for an ice-cream cone. Even an upscale café like Vitavien in Istanbul sells their classic Turkish ice-cream for $2 and Rocher Dolce (hazelnut and chocolate ganache cake) for $3.50.
Tours can be expensive in Turkey. If you are visiting attractions on your own you can save quite a bit of money as many historical sites include free entry. Mosques, parks and markets are all free to visit too.
Transport in Turkey
Internal flights in Turkey are very cheap; it costs under $80 USD to book a return flight from Istanbul to Izmir, or $40 for Istanbul to Ankara.
But the cheapest way to travel the country is to book a bus, with a long-distance bus fare between cities between $15 and $30 USD, depending on the distance. Some popular bus companies are Istanbul Seyahat, Kamil Koç, Pamukkale Turizm.
Cars are incredibly expensive in Turkey due to high taxes, so you can save money by using public transport or walking everywhere.
A single ride on a ferry, metro, tram or bus in a city is roughly 15 Lira, or 80 cents (US). In Istanbul, the city travel card is called the Istanbulkart and in Izmir it’s called the Izmirkart Children under 6 years old are free.
Car hire can be a good option - giving you freedom to go anywhere. The prices are not too bad, around $20 USD a day for a small-midsize car. If you are hiring a car in Istanbul though, you want to be confident that you can navigate the busy streets.
Living expenses
In our opinion, to live in Istanbul, $1,200 USD per month would cover your basic living expenses (including renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city) as a single person. A family of four would need ~$2,400 USD to cover monthly living expenses (which includes renting a 3-bedroom apartment in the city). Just keep in mind you may need more than this if you plan to rent a furnished apartment or eat out frequently.
So while the cost of living can add up in some cities, even the most expensive city in Turkey is 4 times cheaper than somewhere like New York.
Is Turkey cheap? We'd say comparatively - yes. The only other countries in Europe that compare to Turkey in price are Romania and Hungary, and even then, Turkey still comes out on top.
I’m a writer and graphic designer currently living in Turkey with my family. I enjoy learning language, great food (chicken kebab is a favourite at the moment) and experiencing places less-traveled.
