Cost of living in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 51% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,355 prices entered by 190 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 50% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 392 som (159TL) | 404TL | - 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 261 som (106TL) | 278TL | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 183 som (74TL) | 149TL | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 56 som (23TL) | 40TL | - 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 136 som (55TL) | 83TL | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 122 som (50TL) | 53TL | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 295 som (120TL) | 152TL | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 74 som (30TL) | 52TL | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 29 som (12TL) | 29TL | - 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 81 som (33TL) | 73TL | - 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 477 som (194TL) | 501TL | - 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 102 som (42TL) | 54TL | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29 som (12TL) | 21TL | - 43% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 33% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 72,227 som (29,390TL) | 52,814TL | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 46,421 som (18,889TL) | 27,800TL | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 12,529 som (5,098TL) | 3,196TL | + 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 53,033 som (21,580TL) | 35,990TL | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 31,211 som (12,700TL) | 23,309TL | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,421 som (2,613TL) | 2,373TL | + 10% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 819 som (333TL) | 436TL | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 27,739 som (11,287TL) | 12,907TL | - 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,934 som (3,228TL) | 3,461TL | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 421 som (171TL) | 198TL | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 511 som (208TL) | 197TL | + 6% | |
| Clothes | - 36% | |||
| Clothes in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 36% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,731 som (1,111TL) | 2,287TL | - 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,306 som (938TL) | 1,323TL | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 7,264 som (2,956TL) | 4,283TL | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 6,577 som (2,676TL) | 4,448TL | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 67% | |||
| Transportation in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 67% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 965,267 som (392,776TL) | 1,664,170TL | - 76% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 49 som (20TL) | 43TL | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,136 som (462TL) | 1,369TL | - 66% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 428 som (174TL) | 279TL | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 61% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 298 som (121TL) | 136TL | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 578 som (235TL) | 274TL | - 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,088 som (443TL) | 2,805TL | - 84% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 253 som (103TL) | 134TL | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 177 som (72TL) | 173TL | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 150 som (61TL) | 211TL | - 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 89 som (36TL) | 89TL | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 103 som (42TL) | 97TL | - 57% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 340 som (138TL) | 502TL | - 72% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 54% cheaper than in Istanbul (Turkey) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Istanbul | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,434 som (584TL) | 1,267TL | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 500 som (203TL) | 607TL | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,059 som (1,245TL) | 2,180TL | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,661 som (1,083TL) | 2,652TL | - 59% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 342 som (139TL) | 433TL | - 68% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 194 som (79TL) | 158TL | - 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 117 som (47TL) | 155TL | - 69% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 27,252 som (11,089TL) | 27,328TL | - 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.96 som (1.21TL) | 1.67TL | - 28% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,873 som (1,169TL) | 2,283TL | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 308 som (125TL) | 71TL | + 77% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 51% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,355 prices entered by 190 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.40691
TRY
/
KGS
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 170,000TL in Istanbul you would need to make just about 82,658TL (203,136 som) in Bishkek.
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