What is the cost of living in Istanbul?

The cost of living in Istanbul is 67.1% cheaper than New York City (index: 32.9). Groceries are 55.8% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 47.1% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately TRY 48,448 per month. Local purchasing power index is 65.8 (NYC = 100).

🇹🇷 Turkey · #350 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Istanbul?

Q: Should I move to Istanbul?

Istanbul, Turkey has a cost of living 67.1% cheaper than New York City (index: 32.9). It is ranked #350 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is moderate (index: 65.8 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

67.1% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-67.1%

vs NYC

TRY 48,448

1-BR, city centre

65.8

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Istanbul?

Cost breakdown: Istanbul

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

32.9 Mid-priced

Rent

22.0 Very affordable

Groceries

44.2 Affordable

Restaurants

52.9 Affordable

Purchasing Power

65.8 Moderate

Rent in Istanbul

1-BR, city centre TRY 48,448/mo

1-BR, outside centre TRY 31,211/mo

3-BR, city centre TRY 97,562/mo

3-BR, outside centre TRY 57,198/mo

Save by going outside centre 36% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇹🇷 Antalya

Turkey

CoL index 26.3

Compare Antalya vs Istanbul →

🇹🇷 Izmir

Turkey

CoL index 25.0

Compare Izmir vs Istanbul →

🇹🇷 Ankara

Turkey

CoL index 24.8

Compare Ankara vs Istanbul →

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Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Istanbul after tax, in seconds.

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