Cost of living in Türkiye
The cost of living in Turkey is one of the most important factors that must be considered before immigrating or traveling to this country. Costs can vary significantly depending on your city, lifestyle and personal habits. However, in general, Turkey is a country with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many European and North American countries.
In this article, we will review the cost of living in Turkey and help you estimate your monthly expenses in this country.
The cost of housing in Türkiye
Housing costs are undoubtedly one of the most important costs of living in Türkiye. This cost can vary significantly depending on the city, housing type, size, facilities and location.
Cost of living in Türkiye
In this section, we will take a deeper look at the cost of housing in Türkiye:
Types of housing in Türkiye:
Apartments: Apartments are the most common type of housing in Türkiye. Apartments are available in different sizes and prices.
Villa: Villas are detached houses, usually located in the suburbs or rural areas. Villas are generally more expensive than apartments.
Duplex houses: Duplex houses are two-story houses that can be independent or semi-detached. Duplexes are usually larger and more expensive than apartments.
The cost of renting a house in Türkiye:
The average cost of renting a house in Turkey is between 1,500 and 5,000 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 96 and 320 US dollars) per month. This price is for a one bedroom apartment in the city center of a big city like Istanbul.
Rent costs are significantly lower in smaller cities and rural areas. For example, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment in a small town for around 500-1000 Turkish Lira (equivalent to around 32-64 USD) per month.
The cost of buying housing in Türkiye:
The cost of buying housing in Türkiye has increased significantly in recent years. However, you can still find affordable apartments in smaller towns or on the outskirts of major cities.
On average, you can buy a two-bedroom apartment in a small town for around 200,000 Turkish Lira (equivalent to around 12,800 USD). The price of an apartment in the center of Istanbul can reach several million Turkish Liras.
Factors affecting the cost of housing in Türkiye:
City: Housing costs in Türkiye are generally higher in large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
Housing Type: Villas and duplexes are generally more expensive than apartments.
Size: The larger the size of the house, the higher its price.
Amenities: Apartments and villas with more amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and saunas are generally more expensive.
Location: Housing located in the central areas of the city or near tourist attractions are generally more expensive.
Factors affecting the cost of housing in Türkiye:
Tips to save money on housing in Türkiye:
Live outside the city center: Rents are significantly lower in neighborhoods outside the city center than in the city center.
Rent a smaller apartment: If you live alone, you don’t need to rent a big apartment.
Look for apartments without amenities: Apartments with fewer amenities are generally cheaper.
Negotiate with the landlord: Before signing the lease, negotiate with the landlord to get the best price.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to save money on housing in Turkey, you should do your research and find an apartment or villa that fits your needs and budget.
Feed costs in Türkiye
Feed costs in Turkey are generally relatively cheap, especially compared to many European and North American countries. This is due to the abundance of fresh food, the low prices of restaurants and the rich culinary culture of this country.
In this section, we examine the details of feed costs in Türkiye:
Eating in a restaurant:
Regular restaurants: In regular restaurants, you can have a meal for 10 to 15 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.64 to 0.96 US dollars). These restaurants offer traditional Turkish cuisine as well as international cuisine.
Mid-range restaurants: Mid-range restaurants are usually more expensive than regular restaurants, but still reasonably priced. You can eat at these restaurants for 20 to 30 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 1.28 to 1.92 US dollars).
Luxury restaurants: Luxury restaurants are the most expensive option for eating in Türkiye. The price of food in these restaurants can reach more than 100 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 6.40 US dollars).
Cooking at home:
If you cook for yourself, you can save significantly on your food costs. For example, you can shop for groceries with 200 Turkish lira (about US$12.80) per week.
Some common foods in Türkiye and their prices:
Bread: 1 to 2 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.06 to 0.13 US dollars)
Milk: 5 to 7 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.32 to 0.45 US dollars)
Eggs: 10 to 15 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.64 to 0.96 US dollars)
Meat: 30 to 50 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 1.92 to 3.20 US dollars)
Fruits and vegetables: 5 to 10 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.32 to 0.64 US dollars)
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Turkish cuisine without breaking the bank.
Shipping cost in Türkiye
Shipping costs in Turkey are generally relatively affordable, especially compared to many European and North American countries. This is due to the extensive public transportation system, low ticket prices and the abundance of taxis in this country.
In this section, we will examine the details of shipping costs in Türkiye:
Public transportation:
Metro: Metro is the cheapest and fastest way to move around in major Turkish cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. The subway fare is about 5 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.32 USD) per trip.
Buses: Buses are also a popular option for public transportation in Türkiye. Bus fares are generally slightly higher than the subway, but buses serve more areas.
Tram: There are trams in some Turkish cities such as Istanbul and Izmir. The tram fare is similar to the subway.
Funicular: There are funiculars in some hilly areas of cities like Istanbul. The funicular fare is generally slightly higher than the subway or tram.
Private transport:
Taxi: Taxis are widely available in Turkey and are generally reasonably priced. The taxi fare is about 5 Turkish lira (equivalent to about US$0.32) for the start of the trip, and about 2 Turkish lira (equivalent to about US$0.13) is added for each additional kilometer.
Car rental: Car rental is also a popular option in Turkey, especially for trips outside the cities. The price of renting a car depends on the type of car and the rental company. On average, you can rent a regular car for around 200 Turkish Liras (about US$12.80) per day.
Other shipping costs:
Private transport:
Gasoline: Gasoline prices in Turkey average around 8 Turkish lira (equivalent to around US$0.51) per liter.
Parking: The cost of parking in Türkiye generally depends on the location and duration of parking. In city centers, parking costs can reach 10 to 20 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 0.64 to 1.28 US dollars) per hour.
By following these simple tips, you can move in Türkiye easily and at a reasonable price.
Other expenses in Türkiye
Other costs of living in Turkey include water, electricity, gas, mobile phone, internet and entertainment costs. These costs can vary depending on your lifestyle. However, in general, you can expect to pay around 500-1000 Turkish Lira (equivalent to about 32-64 USD) per month for these fees.
Cost of living in Türkiye for students
The cost of living in Turkey for students is significantly lower than the cost of living for working people. This is because students are eligible for discounts on tuition, transportation and other fees.
On average, you can expect a student in Turkey to spend around 2,000-3,000 Turkish Liras (equivalent to around 128-192 USD) per month. This includes the cost of accommodation, food, transport, books and other stationery.
Cost of living in Türkiye for retirees
The cost of living in Türkiye is also relatively affordable for retirees. Many foreign retirees move to Turkey for its favorable climate, low cost of living, and affordable health care.
On average, you can expect a retiree in Turkey to spend around 3,000 to 4,000 Turkish Lira (equivalent to about 192 to 256 USD) per month. This will include the cost of housing, food, transportation, care.
About the Turkish higher education system
All countries that are developing and usually have nascent economies also have a large class gap. Usually, this economic gap becomes the most important reason for not recognizing and accurately estimating the prices and cost of living in that country, because the cost of living rates are completely different in each region of that country, and the next reason is that things like inflation And the ups and downs of prices take away the ability to accurately estimate the cost of living in that country. The cost of living in Turkey is 55% lower than in the United States, and the cost of living in Turkey is 82% lower than in the United States.
In recent years, the study market in Türkiye has heated up among Iranian students and applicants. The reason for this is because of the quality of education in Turkey on par with the European education system, as well as the high standard of living in Turkey. There are various public and private universities in Türkiye. Applicants and interested parties can learn about the top universities in Turkey in the academic year 2021-2022 according to the CWUR World University Ranking in the following table:
| University name | World ranking in CWUR ranking | National ranking |
| Middle East Technical University | 571 | 1 |
| Hajat Tepe University | 636 | 2 |
| Istanbul University | 644 | 3 |
| Bogazichi University | 645 | 4 |
| Ankara University | 659 | 5 |
| Istanbul Technical University | 678 | 6 |
| University of the Aegean | 810 | 7 |
Healthcare costs in Türkiye
The health care system in Türkiye is divided into public and private sectors.
The public health care system is run by the government and provides free or low-cost services to citizens and residents of Turkey. These services include primary care, inpatient care, medicine and specialized treatments.
The private health care system is run by private companies and provides quality services at higher prices. These services include private hospitals, specialized clinics and dentistry.
Healthcare costs in Turkey are generally relatively affordable, especially compared to many European and North American countries. This is due to various factors including the following:
Lack of labor costs: The salaries of doctors and nurses in Turkey are significantly lower than in European and North American countries.
Low drug costs: drug prices in Turkey are significantly lower than in European and North American countries.
Competition between hospitals: There are many private hospitals in Turkey that compete with each other, which leads to lower prices.
Here are some examples of healthcare costs in Türkiye:
General practitioner visit: 100 to 200 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 6.40 to 12.80 US dollars)
Specialized examination: 200 to 500 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 12.80 to 32.00 US dollars)
Appendices surgery: 5,000 to 10,000 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 320 to 640 US dollars)
Natural childbirth: 10,000 to 15,000 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 640 to 960 US dollars)
Health insurance in Türkiye
Health insurance is not mandatory in Türkiye, but it is highly recommended. Health insurance can help you pay for healthcare costs in the event of an illness or accident.
There are different types of health insurance in Türkiye, including:
State Insurance: State insurance is provided by SGK (Kurumu) and is granted to citizens and residents of Turkey who work in the public or private sector.
Private Insurance: Private insurance is provided by private companies and can be purchased for individuals, families or businesses.
The cost of health insurance in Türkiye depends on the type of insurance, your age and medical history. On average, you can expect to pay between 500 and 1,000 Turkish Lira (equivalent to about 32 to 64 USD) per year for individual health insurance.
How can I use health care services in Türkiye?
If you are in Turkey and need healthcare, you can visit one of the following:
Public Health Center: Public health centers are located throughout Turkey and provide primary care services for free or at low cost.
Government Hospital: Government hospitals provide inpatient and specialized care services. To use the services of public hospitals, you must have health insurance.
Private hospital: Private hospitals offer quality services at higher prices. You can directly use the services of private hospitals by paying a fee or use your health insurance.
There are different types of health insurance in Türkiye, including:
Entertainment expenses in Türkiye
The cost of entertainment in Türkiye can vary depending on the activities you do. However, in general, you can expect to pay 50 to 100 TL (equivalent to about 3.20 to 6.40 US dollars) for leisure activities such as eating at a restaurant, going to the cinema or theater, and going to a night club. pay
Türkiye also has many tourist attractions such as museums, palaces and historical sites. Many of these attractions are free or have a small entrance fee.
Tips to save money in Türkiye
If you live on a tight budget, you can save on living expenses in Turkey by following a few simple tips.
Live outside the city center: Rents are significantly lower in neighborhoods outside the city center than in the city center.
Cook for yourself: Eating out can be expensive. By cooking at home, you can significantly save money.
Use public transport: Public transport in Turkey is widely available and affordable.
Take advantage of discounts and offers: Many restaurants, shops and tourist attractions offer special discounts and offers.
Speak Turkish: If you can speak Turkish, you may be able to get discounts on prices, especially in markets and small shops.
The most expensive cities in Türkiye
Usually, knowing about the expensive or cheap situation in different cities can be a good guide for immigration applicants. In this case, students are one of the main immigrant groups who, due to managing their financial budget in Turkey, should be aware of the cost of living index in their city of residence. Unlike the rest of the world, Ankara is not the most expensive city in Turkey. Istanbul is the most expensive city and Bursa and Izmir are in the second and third places.
Conclusion
The cost of living in Turkey is generally fairly affordable, especially if you’re on a tight budget. By following a few simple tips, you can save money and enjoy living in this beautiful country.
The most expensive cities in Türkiye
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A few frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Türkiye
How much does it cost to live in Türkiye?
The cost of living in Turkey depends significantly on the city, your lifestyle and personal habits. However, in general, Turkey is a country with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many European and North American countries.
How much does it cost to live in Türkiye for one person?
The cost of living in Turkey for one person, excluding housing costs, is on average between 13,300 and 17,000 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 850 and 1090 US dollars) per month. This includes expenses for food, transportation, clothing, entertainment and other minor expenses.
How much does it cost to live in Türkiye for a family?
The cost of living in Turkey for a family of four, excluding housing costs, is on average between 47,000 and 68,000 Turkish lira (equivalent to about 3,000 to 4,400 US dollars) per month. This includes expenses for food, transportation, clothing, entertainment and other minor expenses for each family member.
What is the most expensive city in Türkiye to live in?
The most expensive city in Türkiye to live in is Istanbul. The cost of living in Istanbul is significantly higher than in other Turkish cities, due to the high population density, high demand for housing and services, as well as the presence of international companies and tourists.
What is the cheapest city in Türkiye to live in?
The cheapest cities in Türkiye to live in are small towns and rural areas. The cost of living in these cities is significantly lower than in large cities, due to greater access to affordable housing, food, and other necessities.
Can I live in Türkiye on a limited budget?
Yes, it is possible to live in Türkiye on a limited budget. By choosing a smaller city or region, cooking at home, using public transportation, and avoiding expensive activities, you can significantly save money.
Do I need a visa to live in Türkiye?
The need for a visa to live in Türkiye depends on your country of origin. Nationals of some countries can stay in Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days, while nationals of some other countries must apply for a visa before travel.
When is the best time to move to Türkiye?
The best time to move to Türkiye depends on your preferences. If you’re looking for warm, sunny weather, spring (from March to May) or fall (from September to November) are ideal times to move. If you are looking for mild winters and warm summers, you can move to Turkey at any time of the year.
Is learning Turkish necessary to live in Türkiye?
Learning Turkish is not necessary to live in Turkey, especially in big cities like Istanbul where English is widely spoken. However, learning some basic Turkish phrases and idioms can help you communicate with locals and better experience Turkish culture.
