Costs of Living in Turkey

Is it Expensive to Live in Turkey?

Before analyzing the expenses of living in Turkey, we need to figure out some main factors that have the biggest impact on this issue. Are you living a luxurious life etc? Or are you rather an economy type of person, being careful of what you spend your money on? Or other living-style characters such as: do you smoke? Do you often go to restaurants? or rather cook at home? Do you travel a lot? And so on. These are some individual aspects, that determine your lifestyle.

The other important issue is the currency of your income. Will you have your income in Turkish Lira? or Do you have your income paid in some other currency - Euro, Dollar, British Pound, or other? As a result, any expat receiving a pension or income in a foreign currency will not notice the impact of inflation because they are getting greater value for their money than they were a year before. Given the volatility of inflation and exchange rates, anyone on a budget should factor in a buffer zone.

There is also one more relevant element - the size of your family. Families with children under the age of 16 will undoubtedly face significant educational fees, whereas a single individual would not.

Average Salary, Minimum Wage, and Mortgages in Turkey

As of 01 January 2025 in Turkey, the monthly net minimum wage increased from 17.002,00 TL to 22.104,00 TL. The monthly gross minimum wage increased from 20.002,50 TL to 26.005,50 TL. Salaries for various occupations widely vary.

Several Turkish banks offer mortgages to foreign people interested in purchasing property in Turkey. Individual bank loan quantities, interest rates, and conditions may differ. Turkish banks give mortgage loans to foreigners only in local currency (Turkish Lira). Read more about “Mortgage and Finance in Turkey” on our website.

Cost of Living Comparisons by Cities

In 2025, the cost of living in Turkey varies greatly depending on the city. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Istanbul remains the most expensive city, with high costs for housing, transportation, and daily expenses. Cities like İzmir and Ankara follow, though their costs are slightly lower.

Popular coastal cities like Antalya, Bodrum, and Mersin offer a mix of affordability and lifestyle perks. Antalya, known for its tourism and warm climate, has moderate living costs with housing prices lower than Istanbul but slightly higher than smaller cities. Bodrum, a luxury destination, tends to have higher living expenses, particularly for housing and dining, as it caters to tourists and expatriates. Conversely, Mersin is more affordable, with relatively lower costs for housing, transportation, and food, making it an attractive option for families and retirees.

"Based on all cities in Turkey, in 2025, a family of four needs approximately 76,423.9 TL per month, excluding rent, while a single person spends around 21,109.3 TL monthly without rent. On average, living expenses in Turkey are 46.7% cheaper than in the U.S., and rent is 68.8% lower."

Overview of the Cost of Living in Turkey 

• Home bills: In Turkey, monthly household bills are relatively affordable compared to other living expenses. For a two-person household in an 85m² apartment, utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and heating cost an average of 3,102 TL per month. For a single person living in a 45m² studio, these expenses average 2,731 TL monthly. Internet services, such as an 8 Mbps connection, cost around 408 TL per month. These averages, calculated across all cities in Turkey, provide an idea of typical utility expenses. However, actual costs can vary depending on the city, the season, and individual consumption habits. Residents in apartment complexes also pay an additional fee for community services, which may differ based on location and amenities.
• Food shopping: Food in Turkey is cheaper than in European countries. Purchasing fruit, vegetables, and dairy goods from local markets rather than major supermarkets is even less expensive (look at some examples in the table below).
• Residence permit: If you are not a Turkish Citizen, you need to apply for a residence permit as an expat. The residence permit card fee in 2025 is 810 TL. The average cost of a residence permit is 292.70 TL per day for up to 1 month. (This amount shall not be less than 549.60 TL and shall not be more than 2,824.70 TL for each permit for the first month) - 1,876.70 TL per month after 1 month has passed. However, it should not be forgotten that these prices vary depending on the citizenship and country of the foreigner. Additionally, a Single Entry Visa Fee of 7,882.70 TL may apply to certain nationalities. Please note that these fees can vary depending on your nationality and country of origin.

  * It's important to check the most current information from official Turkish government sources or consult with us, as fees and regulations may change.

• Health insurance: It is mandatory to have health insurance to apply for a residence permit. The health insurance fee required for a residence permit application varies between 750 TL and 2,000 TL, depending on the person's age.

  In addition, for those who want to obtain comprehensive private health insurance, the annual payments can generally range from 3,000 TL to 55,000 TL or more. These prices vary depending on the scope of the insurance policy and the coverage provided. In other words, a more comprehensive insurance policy may come at a higher cost, while a more basic policy may be more affordable.

• Public transportation and car expenses: Public transportation costs around 1,500 TL each month (One-way Ticket: approx 25 TL). Fuel prices hover around 44 TL per liter (for petrol) and a range of 35 TL for gas. Car owners should minimum annual budget of 75.000 TL for fuel, maintenance, insurance, MOTs, etc. (This price varies depending on the car's model, features, and frequency of use.)

Breakdown of Some of the Living Expenses in Turkey

Food	Basic lunch menu (including a drink) in business district 400 TL
	Meal at a fast-food restaurant 265 TL
	500 gr of boneless chicken breast 170 TL
	1 litre of whole fat milk 40  TL
	12 eggs, large 90 TL
	1 kg of tomatoes 45 TL
	1 kg of apples 46 TL
	1 kg of potatoes 26 TL
	0.5 l domestic beer in the supermarket 69 TL
	1 bottle of red table wine (mid-range) 507 TL
	2 liters of Coca-Cola 59 TL
	Bread for 2 people for 1 day 17 TL
Housing	The monthly rent for 85 m² furnished accommodation in an expensive area 41,615 TL
	Monthly rent for 85 m² furnished accommodation in standard area 22,000 TL
	Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85 m² flat 3,500 TL
	The monthly rent for a furnished studio in an expensive area 22,000 TL
	The monthly rent for a furnished studio in a standard area 14,500 TL
Utilities	1 month (heating, electricity, water, etc.) for 1 person in 45 m2 studio 3,000 TL
	Internet 8 Mbps (per month) 250 TL
	40” flat screen tv 9,000 TL
	Laundry detergent (3 l.) 128 TL
	The hourly rate for cleaning help 150 TL
Clothes	1 pair of jeans 1,500 TL
	1 summer dress in a high street store 1,000 TL
	1 pair of sports shoes (original brand) 2,450 TL
	1 pair of leather business shoes 2,200 TL
Health Care	Private doctor visit (15 min) 1000 TL
	Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 90 TL
	Visit GP at your family healthcare unit (with residence permit) Free
Entertainment	Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub 1,000 TL
	2 tickets to the movies 310 TL
	2 tickets to the theatre (best available seats) 980 TL
	1 cocktail drink in downtown club 300 TL
	Cappuccino in expat area of the city 80 TL
	1 beer in a neighborhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) 110 TL

To summarize - Turkey is a much cheaper country to live in than most European countries. Food, transportation, and rent prices are lower than in the UK, Germany, Sweden, or other developed countries in Europe. The average cost of living in Turkey for a reasonable lifestyle is 51,815 TL for a family of four, and 14,598 TL  for a single person.

Start Your New Life in Turkey Guided by TERRA Real Estate ^®

We understand that purchasing a home in Turkey is a serious decision that must be carefully considered. If you're looking for a property in Turkey for the first time, check out the Property Buying Guide in Turkey for First Time Buyers. On our website, you can also read about the Expenses of Buying Real Estate in Turkey.

You can also fill out the contact form and chat with a sales representative via email, or phone. You are also welcome to have a cup of tea or coffee in our office in Alanya.

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Note: All of the prices and numbers mentioned in this article are estimated and may vary due to time and place. While reading this article please keep in mind the date it has been published. Last updated: 08.01.2024