Cost of Living in Turkey

If you've ever considered moving to Turkey, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Turkey?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Turkey and whether the reported $885 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $312.87.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Turkey
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

3.25 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

16.23 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

3.25 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.89 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.43 $

Cappuccino (regular)

1.46 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.59 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.21 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.78 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

0.4 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.19 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.32 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

4.73 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

3.68 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

8.09 $

Apples (1 lb)

0.67 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.23 $

Oranges (1 lb)

0.65 $

Tomato (1 lb)

0.88 $

Potato (1 lb)

0.49 $

Onion (1 lb)

0.36 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.62 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.26 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

6.49 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.47 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.95 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

1.6 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.38 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

24.34 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

0.54 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.41 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

3.25 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.29 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

35157.55 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

29121.26 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

59.95 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.08 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

8.14 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

17.66 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

11.73 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

2.7 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

171.66 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

3824.97 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

33.05 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

25.51 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

60.85 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

43.91 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

246.9 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

153.49 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

446.98 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

285.05 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

927.31 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

579.21 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

312.87 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

20.25 %

Turkey

How Safe Is Turkey for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Turkey

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Turkey is safe to visit if you avoid some parts of it - namely those near the border with Syria. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops, and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists here, too.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally, transport in Turkey is rather safe and reliable, though if you're driving you should keep in mind that local drivers in the country are reckless and tend to ignore traffic rules and signs.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

As for pickpocketing, it is a recurring concern on the streets of Turkey, especially Istanbul, which is a popular tourist destination, so be careful and hold your bags tightly by your side. Places, where you should watch out for pickpockets, are Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

As for natural disasters, earthquakes have been known to hit Turkey, as well as severe droughts causing the lack of tap water in some parts of this country.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The majority of violent crime happens near the Syrian borders, where kidnappings, muggings, and assaults have been reported. Terrorist groups here usually target those involved in humanitarian work or journalism.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Terrorism is the greatest worry for tourists, as it's been active in Turkey in recent years. The last terrorist attack happened in January 2017. Most of these attacks are linked to Kurdish separatist terrorist activities in south-east Turkey.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

The common scam in Turkey is locals befriending tourists, taking them out for a drink, or dinner and then expecting the tourist to pay for it. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

If you're a woman traveling solo you should avoid walking alone after dark in this country. There have been reports of sexual assaults and verbal insults. These can happen even if you're accompanied by a group. Avoid isolated or poorly lit areas.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Some nationals do need a visa in order to enter Turkey, but they can be purchased online at http://www.evisa.gov.tr/ before traveling to Turkey. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past the date of your arrival to Turkey. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

The Turkish lira is the official currency in Turkey. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The coastline bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters, while the coastline bordering the Black Sea has a temperate climate with warm winters and cool, wet summers. Generally, the best time to visit Turkey is during April, May, September, and October as they are pleasantly warm. The summer months from June through to September are very hot.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Istanbul Atatürk Airport is the main and busiest international airport serving Istanbul and the biggest airport in Turkey. It is located on the European side of the city, about 24 km west of the city center.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Turkey, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Turkey with other countries

Cost of living in countries