City, Turkey
Cost of living in Istanbul
How much a month costs in Istanbul
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,240–3,460 (₺110,000–170,000).
Prices in Istanbul
Typical 2026 ranges in TRY, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | TRY | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | ₺35,000–65,000 | $712–1,320 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | ₺20,000–40,000 | $407–814 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | ₺600–1,200 | $12–24 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | ₺3,000–7,000 | $61–142 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | ₺250–450 | $5.1–9.2 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | ₺900–1,800 | $18–37 |
| Cappuccino | ₺150–280 | $3.1–5.7 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | ₺150–300 | $3.1–6.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | ₺40–60 | $0.8–1.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | ₺250–500 | $5.1–10.2 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | ₺600–1,300 | $12–26 |
| Gym membership (month) | ₺1,500–3,500 | $31–71 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | ₺500–900 | $10.2–18.3 |
Value for money: 9/100
A value score of 9/100 means Istanbul gives more quality of life per dollar than 8% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 53/100. It's the 24th most affordable of 24 places we cover in Turkey.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Turkey
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gaziantep | $692–1,020 | 88/100 |
| Selçuk | $814–1,180 | 86/100 |
| Trabzon | $855–1,380 | 79/100 |
| Pamukkale | $916–1,420 | 78/100 |
| Didim | $977–1,380 | 76/100 |
| Bursa | $936–1,530 | 73/100 |
| Dalyan | $977–1,590 | 73/100 |
| Kuşadası | $1,020–1,630 | 70/100 |
| Side | $1,020–1,630 | 72/100 |
| Kemer | $1,120–1,630 | 68/100 |
| Ankara | $1,120–1,730 | 65/100 |
| Çeşme | $1,120–1,830 | 63/100 |
| Kalkan | $1,220–2,040 | 59/100 |
| Belek | $1,420–2,240 | 45/100 |
| Alanya | $1,530–2,440 | 40/100 |
| Kaş | $1,530–2,440 | 53/100 |
| Cappadocia | $1,630–2,650 | 33/100 |
| Izmir | $1,630–2,650 | 36/100 |
| Ölüdeniz | $1,630–2,650 | 33/100 |
| Marmaris | $1,630–2,650 | 33/100 |
| Antalya | $1,830–2,850 | 28/100 |
| Fethiye | $1,830–2,850 | 27/100 |
| Bodrum | $2,140–3,460 | 17/100 |
| Istanbul | $2,240–3,460 | 9/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Istanbul
Similar safety, lower cost, in Middle East.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Istanbul?
About $1,120–1,630 on a lean budget, $2,240–3,460 for a comfortable month and $5,090–9,160 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Istanbul?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs ₺35,000–65,000 ($712–1,320) a month in the center and ₺20,000–40,000 ($407–814) outside it.
How much does food cost in Istanbul?
A local meal is ₺250–450 ($5.1–9.2); a mid-range restaurant is ₺900–1,800 ($18–37) per person.
Is Turkey expensive?
Prices in Turkey are about 41% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Istanbul
Going to Istanbul solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Istanbul meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Istanbul Metro
- Istanbul Airport
- Istanbul Public Transport (IETT)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.