The cost of living in Turkey is not a question to be answered according to a single criterion. How many people there are in your family, your social life, whether your house belongs to you, or even having a car are issues that will affect your cost of living.
In addition, your living costs vary according to the city you live in. You will appreciate that living in Istanbul does not have the same costs as living in a smaller city. As in every country, the places where the cost of living increases are the places where tourism and job opportunities are high. In this article, we will find the city of Turkey that fits your budget.
Why is Turkey Preferred for Living?
Living in Turkey is attractive to many people when we consider many issues such as culture, history, nature, climate, people, cuisine, etc. All regions of the country offer many features, but considering the number of foreign tourists and second home owners, the most popular region in Turkey is the Mediterranean Region. Turkey's convenient lifestyle in many ways is preferred by many foreigners. There are many friendly people living in Turkey and it welcomes thousands of people worldwide due to its habit of living in a multicultural environment.
As a foreigner, living in Turkey has numerous advantages in terms of climate, nature, people, and culture. Overall, the climate is sunny and the country is a multicultural country with lots of fresh food. Especially Turkey's most popular region, the Mediterranean Region, has countless outdoor activities and wonderful historical background, as well as countless sunny days during the holiday season, magnificent nature, and great cuisine. Additionally, living in Turkey is extremely economical, especially for Europeans.
The real estate sector in Turkey is quite dynamic. Every year, many new investments are made, especially in the Mediterranean Region. Investors can be Turkish or foreign who want to invest in a very profitable complex. There are many complexes built with modern and elegant features. Most of them are luxuriously decorated with your comfort in mind. In complexes and sites, carers, VIP services, gyms, saunas, sports fields, etc., are offered.
The Cost of Living in Turkey
Restaurants and Markets
After the pandemic, the economy of all countries was affected. These countries include Turkey. But it still has a more affordable cost of living than many countries. There are many different types of restaurants in Turkey. That's why you won't have any problems choosing the one that fits your budget. You don't have to sacrifice your social life with restaurant choices suitable for every budget. You pay an average of 60 TL per person in places that are not very expensive or cafe-style but have all kinds of food. If you want to have a nice dinner for two people in the middle segment, you have to sacrifice about 260 TL. If you want to eat fast-food style, these are about 60 TL per person. If you use alcohol, local and quality beers are around 40-45 TL on average. If you want to have a coffee after the meal, they are in the range of 20-30 TL on average.
Markets are also in good condition in many countries. Average prices;
1 Liter of Milk 13 TL
1 Kilo Rice 20 TL
12 Eggs 25 TL
1 kg of Red Meat 150 TL
Fruit and Vegetable varieties vary between 15-30 TL.
Residency and Healthcare
If you have an income from your country, you can live here in very luxurious apartments due to the exchange rate. Rent and, if you want to buy, house prices vary a lot from city to city and the location of the house. However, on average, a 1-bedroom house in the city center is rented for 4000 TL. This also varies depending on the size of the house. For a larger, 3 bedroom house in the city center, you have to sacrifice 8000-9000 TL. If you want to buy a house in the city center, it is 15,000 TL per square meter.
Turkey is very famous among the countries of the world with its health system. The Turkish government has made a separate investment in the health system. Everyone from abroad says how satisfied they are with the service they receive. Hospitals in Turkey are divided into private and public. Public hospitals are free for Turkish citizens. However, the fees in private hospitals are also very low. Whether you are a Turkish citizen or not, you will receive very high-quality health care in Turkey.
Transportation
The price of gasoline has been increasing rapidly in every country for the last 2 years. Compared to other countries, it is neither too cheap nor too high in Turkey. In the last 1 month, there has been no increase in a stable way. If you want to have a personal vehicle, you have to bear the gas prices. However, public transport in Turkey is very developed. You can make both comfortable and affordable trips. There are many public transportation vehicles for and between cities. If you're considering your budget, it's for you!
Household Bills
Bills vary according to the size of your house, the number of people in the house, and the number of vehicles you use. However, water, electricity, and heating cost an average of 1000 TL per square meter per month. (Heating varies according to summer and winter months.) Internet bills average 150 TL. Average phone bills range between 100-150 TL.
Average Cost of Living in Istanbul
Summary of cost of living in Istanbul, Turkey:
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 26,253.14TL without rent (using our estimator).
A single person's estimated monthly costs are 7,386.85TL without rent.
Istanbul is 68.32% less expensive than New York (without rent, see our cost of living index).
Rent in Istanbul is, on average, 88.52% lower than in New York.
Average Cost of Living in Izmir
Summary of cost of living in Izmir, Turkey:
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 23,743.49TL without rent (using our estimator).
A single person's estimated monthly costs are 6,756.62TL without rent.
Izmir is 6.70% less expensive than Istanbul (without rent, see our cost of living index).
Rent in Izmir is, on average, 51.29% lower than in Istanbul.
Average Cost of Living in Alanya
Summary of cost of living in Alanya, Turkey:
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 24,743.49TL without rent (using our estimator).
A single person's estimated monthly costs are 7,756.62TL without rent.
Alanya is 6.70% less expensive than Istanbul (without rent, see our cost of living index).
Rent in Alanya is, on average, 51 % lower than in Istanbul.
Average Cost of Living in Bodrum
Summary of cost of living in Bodrum, Turkey:
A family of four estimated monthly costs are 28,743.49TL without rent (using our estimator).
A single person's estimated monthly costs are 8,756.62TL without rent.