Cost of living in Istanbul (Turkey) is 68% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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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 2,152 prices entered by 278 different people.
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| Food | - 67% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Istanbul (Turkey) is 67% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 444TL ($11) | $30 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 320TL ($8) | $15 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 131TL ($3.27) | $7 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40TL ($1.00) | $1.36 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 90TL ($2.23) | $8 | - 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 47TL ($1.18) | $8 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 172TL ($4.27) | $9 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 45TL ($1.12) | $5.68 | - 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 25TL ($0.63) | $2.95 | - 79% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 77TL ($1.91) | $8 | - 75% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 664TL ($17) | $19 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 60TL ($1.50) | $3.79 | - 60% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 18TL ($0.46) | $4.38 | - 90% | |
| Housing | - 75% | |||
| Housing in Istanbul (Turkey) is 75% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,176TL ($1,349) | $6,011 | - 78% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 32,357TL ($806) | $3,627 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 3,830TL ($95) | $297 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 41,818TL ($1,041) | $3,501 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,951TL ($646) | $2,615 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,556TL ($64) | $225 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 421TL ($10) | $67 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 15,702TL ($391) | $380 | + 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 4,574TL ($114) | $138 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 219TL ($5.46) | $26 | - 79% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 263TL ($7) | $28 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | - 26% | |||
| Clothes in Istanbul (Turkey) is 26% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 2,505TL ($62) | $69 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,543TL ($38) | $50 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 4,133TL ($103) | $126 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 4,552TL ($113) | $266 | - 57% | |
| Transportation | - 58% | |||
| Transportation in Istanbul (Turkey) is 58% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,706,770TL ($42,493) | $48,568 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 46TL ($1.14) | $0.90 | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,380TL ($34) | $127 | - 73% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 263TL ($7) | $34 | - 81% | |
| Personal Care | - 74% | |||
| Personal Care in Istanbul (Turkey) is 74% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 139TL ($3.47) | $19 | - 82% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 146TL ($3.63) | $54 | - 93% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,559TL ($64) | $208 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 134TL ($3.35) | $14 | - 75% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 190TL ($4.73) | $10 | - 51% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 123TL ($3.07) | $13 | - 77% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 81TL ($2.02) | $9 | - 78% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 111TL ($2.77) | $3.14 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 508TL ($13) | $44 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 71% | |||
| Entertainment in Istanbul (Turkey) is 71% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Istanbul | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,589TL ($40) | $86 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 553TL ($14) | $38 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,250TL ($56) | $541 | - 90% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 3,259TL ($81) | $229 | - 65% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 522TL ($13) | $20 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 162TL ($4.04) | $7 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 191TL ($4.76) | $9 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 26,210TL ($653) | $853 | - 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 9TL ($0.22) | $1.66 | - 87% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 2,260TL ($56) | $177 | - 68% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 77TL ($1.91) | $18 | - 90% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 68% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,152 prices entered by 278 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.02490
USD
/
TRY
Detailed prices for each city individually
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $17,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $5,432 (218,175TL) in Istanbul.
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