Cost of living in Turkey in 2026: real figures

Why Türkiye attracts people moving

Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara - thousands of Russians, Kazakhs and Ukrainians move here every year. The reasons are clear: a warm climate, a loyal attitude towards foreigners, direct flights and developed urban infrastructure.

However, the price picture has changed. After the devaluation of the lira, rent and food became more expensive in lira terms. In dollars, the growth was less, but still noticeable. Living in Turkey is more expensive in 2026 than it was three or four years ago - and it's important to understand the real numbers before you move.

In this article we will analyze expenses for each budget item with specific amounts. Without rounding and without embellishment.

Cost of living in Turkey: table by article

Below are the main expenses for one person or a couple. Prices are indicated in US dollars at the 2026 exchange rate (1 USD ≈ 32-33 TRY). In brackets is the approximate amount in lira.

Total: a modest budget for one person in Ankara or Antalya is about $900-1200 per month. A comfortable life in Istanbul will cost $1800-2800 for a family of two without a car and private schools.

Renting housing in Turkey: where and how much

Rent is the main expense item. The price range is huge: the central areas of Istanbul cost two to three times more than provincial cities.

Istanbul is divided into European and Asian parts. European - Besiktas, Sisli, Nisantasi - these are expensive business and residential areas. A one-room apartment here will cost $600-1200 per month. The Asian side - Kadikoy, Uskudar - is 30-40% cheaper, while the infrastructure is no worse.

Antalya attracts with its mild climate and beaches. Prices are comparable to Asian Istanbul: 1BR - $400-700. In summer, in tourist areas (Lara, Konyaalti), short-term rent increases - if you are looking for a long-term contract, negotiate out of season.

Ankara is the capital, but without the tourist rush. Here are the most affordable prices: 1BR in a good area costs $300-500. The downside is a less warm climate and less sea.

Important: for long-term leases (1 year or more), you can bargain. A 10-15% discount is the norm. The agency fee is usually 1 month's rent, paid by the tenant.

Food and nutrition: prices in stores

Turkish markets and shops are a big savings item. Local products are cheap and fresh. Imported goods are noticeably more expensive.

Basic prices in stores (2026, liras and dollars):

Coffee in a coffee shop (Americano) - $1.5-3. Tea in a teahouse - $0.3-0.5. Alcohol in Turkey is expensive due to excise taxes: beer in the supermarket is $1.5-2.5, wine from $8-12 per bottle.

A snack in a street cafe - kebab or lahmacun - will cost $2-4. A full lunch in a “khamur ishi” type dining room - $4-8. Mid-level restaurant - $10-20 per person with drink.

Transport: metro, bus, taxi and car

Istanbul is one of the few cities where it is quite comfortable to live without a car. The metro, metrobus, tram and ferry cover most of the routes.

A single travel card (Istanbulkart) works in all types of transport. A one-time trip costs about 20 liras ($0.6). A monthly pass costs about 400 liras ($12). It's cheap by any standards.

Antalya and Ankara also have transport, but it is less extensive. It’s more difficult without a car, especially if you don’t live in the center.

Taxi: landing about $0.7-1, kilometer $0.3-0.5. BiTaksi and Uber operate in major cities. A trip around the center of Istanbul - $3-6.

Car: gasoline costs $1.3 per liter. Insurance (MTPL) - $200-400 per year. Buy a used car - from $8000-12000 for a decent option. A license from the CIS is valid for the first six months, then you need to change it to Turkish.

Domestic air travel is available. Istanbul - Antalya costs $30-80 one way with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus. Buses between cities are also cheap: $10-25 for a route of 400-500 km.

Housing and communal services, internet and mobile communications

Utilities in Turkey include electricity, water and gas. Separately - garbage removal and aidat (fee for the management company in residential complexes).

Typical expenses for an apartment of 60-70 sq. m per month:

Internet: optical lines (TTNET, Türk Telekom, Superonline) offer tariffs from 100 Mbit for $15-25 per month. The speed is good, interruptions are rare.

Mobile communications: a local SIM card costs $8-15 per month for a package with 20 GB of traffic and calls. Turkcell, Vodafone, Turk Telekom are the three main operators. A foreigner needs to register a phone with his passport within 30 days - otherwise the connection will be blocked.

Medicine and insurance for foreigners

Turkish medicine is heterogeneous. Public hospitals are formally available, but with a residence permit, foreigners are required to have private insurance (SGK - public insurance for foreigners is available only through an employer or under a separate contract).

Private insurance for a foreigner costs $50-120 per month - depending on age, coverage and insurance company. Allianz, Axa, Cigna operate in Turkey.

Cost without insurance:

Large private networks - Memorial, Acibadem, American Hospital - operate in Istanbul. The level is high, there are English and Russian staff.

Education: schools and kindergartens

Children of foreigners with a residence permit have the right to study in Turkish public schools for free. Training is conducted in Turkish - the child will need adaptation for 6-12 months.

For those who are not ready for the language barrier or want to keep an international or Russian curriculum, there are private options:

The best cities for families with children are Istanbul (wide choice of international schools), Antalya (large Russian-speaking community), Izmir (quiet pace of life).

Higher education: Turkish universities accept foreigners, tuition fees are $1500-5000 per year. Diplomas are recognized in most countries.

Comparison with Russia and Moscow

Russians and residents of the CIS often compare Turkey with Moscow or St. Petersburg. The picture is mixed.

Conclusion: rent and food in Turkey are cheaper than in Moscow. Internet is a little expensive. The climate is warmer. Transport is cheaper. In general, the standard of living with a budget of $1500-2500 in Istanbul is higher than by the same amount in Moscow.

With regional cities of Russia (Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg), the difference in favor of Turkey is even more noticeable in terms of the quality of climate and service.

Real budget: how much money is needed

Let's summarize the data into three typical scenarios. Figures per month per person (single or couple in half).

For a family with children and an international school, the budget increases by $700-1500 per month.

Taxes and finances for those who have moved

Türkiye does not levy a worldwide income tax on non-residents - that is, those who live in the country for less than 183 days a year. If you spend more than six months in Turkey, you may be considered a tax resident.

Personal income tax (if you become a resident):

VAT (KDV) in Turkey - 20% from 2023. Preferential rates of 10% and 1% apply to a number of goods (food, medicines).

It is possible for a foreigner to open an account in a Turkish bank - you need a passport and a residence permit. Banks Garanti BBVA, Is Bankasi, Ziraat are the most common. Some banks (Wio, Ziraat) are loyal to CIS citizens. Visa and Mastercard cards work locally.

Important: transfers from Russia may be difficult due to sanctions. Cryptocurrency gateways are used as an alternative - this is legal as long as the bank's requirements are met.

Best areas to live in Istanbul

Istanbul is a huge metropolis. The choice of area greatly affects the budget and quality of life.

Areas that a beginner should avoid: Fatih (conservative, language barrier), Bayrampasa, Baglcilar (high crime rate by Istanbul standards). This does not mean that it is dangerous there - it is just uncomfortable for a new resident without a language.

What to check before moving

Before renting an apartment and transferring money, check a few important points.

The first is the lease agreement. In Turkey, it is customary to conclude a contract for a year. Read the conditions for early termination: the penalty may be 1-2 months of rent. Notarization of the contract is optional, but recommended.

The second is aidat. If the apartment is in a residential complex (sitesi), check the amount of the monthly fee for the management company. Sometimes it's $30-50, sometimes $150-200 - the difference is significant.

The third is the utility meter. Make sure that the contract for electricity and water is reissued in your name. Otherwise, you risk paying someone else's debt.

Fourth - phone registration. A foreign phone must be registered with BTK (Turkish Information Technology and Communications) within 30 days. The cost is about 2000 liras ($60). Without registration, the connection will be blocked in a month.

Fifth - health insurance. Without it, a residence permit will not be issued. Choose insurance in advance - some companies do not insure existing diseases.

Source of price data: Numbeo - Türkiye 2026.

Residence permit and permanent residence: how to live legally in Turkey

For long-term residence in Turkey you need a residence permit (ikamet). There are several reasons for receiving it.

Tourist residence permit - for those who simply live and do not work. Issued by DGMM (Directorate for Migration). Cost is $50-$100 plus fees. Duration - 1-2 years with extension.

Residence permit through real estate - if you buy a home for $200,000 or more, you can get a residence permit. This is a separate, more stable status. More details - on the program page Turkish citizenship by investment.

Citizenship by investment is a separate program. Minimum $400,000 in real estate or $500,000 deposit. Once the conditions are met, you can obtain a Turkish passport.

Residence permit through work - if there is an employer, he issues a work residence permit. More difficult logistically, but more stable status.

Bottom line: who is right for living in Turkey?

Türkiye is a good option for those who value a warm climate, affordable housing and proximity to Europe. With a budget of $1,500-2,000 per month, you can live comfortably here: rent a good apartment, eat in a cafe, take a taxi.

Türkiye is suitable:

• Freelancers and remote workers with an income of $1,500 per month.
• Families willing to invest $8,000-18,000 per year in an international school.
• Pensioners from the CIS with an income of $1000-1500 per month (Antalya, Alanya).
• For investors considering Turkish citizenship through real estate.

Türkiye is less suitable:

• For those who want to quickly learn the language, Turkish is difficult and is of little use in tourist areas.
• For those who are counting on an EU passport, Türkiye is not a member of the EU.
• For those looking for a northern climate or four seasons.