Istanbul, Turkey
Editor
March 12, 2023
The city of Istanbul is a vibrant and exciting destination for digital nomads. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Istanbul is a great place to explore and work remotely. The city is home to a large number of co-working spaces, making it easy to find a place to work and collaborate with other digital nomads. Additionally, the cost of living in Istanbul is relatively low compared to other major cities, making it an attractive option for digital nomads looking to stretch their budget.Istanbul is also a great place to explore and experience the culture of Turkey. From the bustling Grand Bazaar to the iconic Hagia Sophia, there is no shortage of sights to see. The city is also home to a number of excellent restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it easy to find a place to relax and socialize with other digital nomads.The city is also well-connected, with a number of international airports and a reliable public transportation system. This makes it easy to get around the city and explore the surrounding areas. Additionally, the city is home to a number of universities, making it a great place to learn and network with other digital nomads.Overall, Istanbul is an excellent destination for digital nomads looking for an exciting and affordable place to work and explore. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, and low cost of living, Istanbul is a great place to call home.
Living in Istanbul, Turkey: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
85%
Quality of life -
29%
Cost of living -
51%
Connectivity -
93%
Weather
51
General
| Currency | TRY |
| Population (in millions) | 15 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 140 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Beyoglu, Kadikoy |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 1,500 |
| Top selling local beer | Efes |
| Most popular local dish | Kebab |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar |
| Discount airline | Pegasus |
| Major airline | Turkish Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Bolt |
| Primary train stations | Sirkeci, Haydarpaşa, Pendik |
| Primary airports | Atatürk, Sabiha Gökçen, Istanbul Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 75000 TRY |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Akmerkez, Etiler Mahallesi, Büyükdere Caddesi No:174, 34337 Beşiktaş/ |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 40 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C,F |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Teknosa |
| Best internet carrier | Turkcell |
| Primary cellular carrier | Turkcell |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 80 TRY |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Eczane |
| Best restaurant chain | Mado |
| The best grocery store | Carrefour |
| The most popular fashion brand | Mango |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $14,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14000 |
| Sales tax rate | 18% |
| Income tax rate | 30% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 TRY |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Garanti Bankası |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 112 (general), 155 (ambulance), 110 (police), 199 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 4,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Islam |
Quality of life
85%
-
52%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
149%
Property to income -
48%
Crime -
70%
Healthcare -
93%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | TRY 10,738 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 24.56% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | TRY 6,544 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | TRY 143,025 |
Cost of living
29%
-
Purchasing Power
33%
-
Rent
17%
-
Food
31%
-
Restaurant
32%
-
Workspace
69%
-
Transport
52%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | TRY 13,528.74 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | TRY 7,960.90 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | TRY 23,655.55 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | TRY 14,065.48 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | TRY 262.56 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | TRY 24.10 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | TRY 11.77 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | TRY 40.63 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | TRY 155.06 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | TRY 7.01 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | TRY 200.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | TRY 40.09 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | TRY 51.34 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | TRY 36.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | TRY 93.08 |
| Apples (1kg) | TRY 19.47 |
| Oranges (1kg) | TRY 17.94 |
| Potato (1kg) | TRY 12.79 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | TRY 15.16 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | TRY 38.70 |
| Tomato (1kg) | TRY 24.08 |
| Banana (1kg) | TRY 28.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | TRY 13.45 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | TRY 227.96 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | TRY 120.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | TRY 600.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | TRY 110.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | TRY 60.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | TRY 67.50 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | TRY 20.59 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | TRY 8.19 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | TRY 45.12 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | TRY 1,428.32 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | TRY 1.44 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | TRY 212.80 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | TRY 607.80 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | TRY 262.56 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | TRY 90.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | TRY 10.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | TRY 777.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | TRY 21.28 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | TRY 895,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | TRY 768,067.24 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | TRY 12.95 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | TRY 8.51 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | TRY 100.00 |