Turkey🇹🇷
At a Glance
How Turkey compares across key indices
Cost of Living
39 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
59/100
Healthcare
71/100
Quality of Life
145/200
Climate
90/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Turkey
Cost of Living
39
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
12
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
39
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
38
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Kocaeli
Cheapest$677/mo
Eskisehir
$958/mo
Mersin
$1,085/mo
Bursa
$1,096/mo
Antalya
$1,190/mo
Izmir
$1,351/mo
Ankara
$1,378/mo
Istanbul
$1,840/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Turkey — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
59/100
Crime Index
41/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
65/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
25 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 3,196 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Turkey
Turkey has 8 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $677 in Kocaeli to $1,840 in Istanbul. Eskisehir leads on safety, scoring 75/100. Bursa ranks highest for quality of life at 173/200.
Kocaeli
$677/mo
Eskisehir
75/100
Bursa
173/200
Bursa
78/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kocaeli | $677 | — | — | — | — |
| Eskisehir | $958 | 75/100 | — | — | — |
| Mersin | $1,085 | — | — | — | — |
| Bursa | $1,096 | 71/100 | 173/200 | 78/100 | 46 |
| Antalya | $1,190 | 71/100 | 162/200 | 74/100 | 45 |
| Izmir | $1,351 | 67/100 | 156/200 | 73/100 | 60 |
| Ankara | $1,378 | 61/100 | 148/200 | 70/100 | 64 |
| Istanbul | $1,840 | 52/100 | 128/200 | 70/100 | 67 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Turkey
Healthcare Index
71/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 1,242 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Turkey
Pollution Index
64/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 1,427 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Turkey
Average One-Way Commute
43minutes
Average
Traffic Index
187
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
210
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
5.7kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 1,043 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Turkey, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Turkey?
Turkey has a cost of living index of 39 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $677 in Kocaeli and reach $1,840 in Istanbul.
What is the cheapest city in Turkey for expats?
Kocaeli is the most affordable city in Turkey with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $677 for a single person including rent. Eskisehir is the next most affordable at $958/mo.
Is Turkey safe for expats?
Turkey has a safety index of 59/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Eskisehir scores highest on safety at 75/100.
What is the best city in Turkey for expats and digital nomads?
Bursa ranks highest for quality of life in Turkey, scoring 173/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,096/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Kocaeli offers the lowest monthly costs at $677/mo.
How good is healthcare in Turkey?
Turkey scores 71/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Turkey cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Turkey's cost of living is roughly 61% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 88% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Turkey
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