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Cost of Living in Istanbul

Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey · Population 15,519,267 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Turkey average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₺20,056 ($590)
Couple, monthly₺36,066 ($1,061)
Family of four, monthly₺47,094 ($1,385)

Estimated Prices in Istanbul

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₺199 ($5.85)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₺796 ($23.40)per meal
Cappuccino₺59.67 ($1.76)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₺4,508 ($133)per month
Monthly public transport pass₺729 ($21.45)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₺1,923 ($56.55)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₺557 ($16.38)per month
Fitness club membership₺557 ($16.38)per month
Cinema ticket₺146 ($4.29)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₺9,770 ($287)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₺6,796 ($200)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₺20,389 ($600)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Istanbul is ₺28,730 ($845) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₺20,056 ($590) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₺26,073 ($767) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₺6,796 ($200)) represents about 34% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Istanbul

Istanbul vs AnkaraIstanbul vs İzmirIstanbul vs BursaIstanbul vs AntalyaIstanbul vs KonyaIstanbul vs Şanlıurfa

Nearby Cities

Güngören

7 km away · İstanbul

Kâğıthane

9 km away · İstanbul

Esenler

9 km away · İstanbul

Bağcılar

9 km away · İstanbul

Umraniye

13 km away · İstanbul

Küçükçekmece

15 km away · İstanbul

Beykoz

18 km away · İstanbul

Çekme

19 km away · İstanbul

Other Major Cities in Turkey

Ankara

Ankara · pop. 5,803,482

₺19,722 ($580) / mo

İzmir

İzmir · pop. 4,493,242

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Bursa

Bursa · pop. 2,901,396

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Antalya

Antalya · pop. 2,426,356

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Konya

Konya · pop. 2,232,374

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Şanlıurfa

Şanlıurfa · pop. 1,985,753

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Adana

Adana · pop. 1,765,981

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Diyarbakır

Diyarbakır · pop. 1,732,396

₺17,395 ($512) / mo

Living in Istanbul

Istanbul is the capital and one of the key cities in Turkey. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₺20,056 ($590), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₺6,796 ($200) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₺47,094 ($1,385) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₺36,066 ($1,061) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Istanbul is ₺28,730 ($845). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₺26,073 ($767) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Istanbul expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₺20,056 ($590) per month in Istanbul including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Turkey.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Istanbul?
A net salary of around ₺26,073 ($767) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Istanbul with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Istanbul is ₺28,730 ($845).
How much is rent in Istanbul?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₺9,770 ($287) per month in the city centre and ₺6,796 ($200) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₺20,389 ($600).
Is Istanbul cheaper than Turkey on average?
No — Istanbul is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Turkey average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Istanbul?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₺4,508 ($133) in Istanbul. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₺199 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around ₺60 ($2).
How do transport costs in Istanbul compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Istanbul is estimated at ₺729 ($21). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Istanbul are estimates based on Turkey national averages adjusted for city size (population 15,519,267) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.