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Abu Dhabi vs Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 52% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 1,544 USD a month.

View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-52%
Istanbul relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$1,000
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiIstanbul
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, Istanbul $700. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, Istanbul $384. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, Istanbul $67. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, Istanbul $112. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, Istanbul $16. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, Istanbul $84. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, Istanbul $53. Cheaper in Istanbul.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAbu DhabiIstanbul
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD1,416 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4622✓
Housing1,700 USD700 USD✓
Utilities255 USD112 USD✓
Food597 USD384 USD✓
Transport83 USD67 USD✓
Healthcare42 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle191 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓4,269 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓48.8%
Left over each month5,373 USD✓2,853 USD
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD3,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓54/100
Healthcare80/100✓66/100
Air quality52/100✓42/100
Public transport55/10076/100✓
Walkability45/10070/100✓
English proficiency86/100✓42/100
Nightlife66/10084/100✓
Family friendliness80/100✓66/100
Median broadband290 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C15°C✓
Summer high42°C29°C✓
Winter low14°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h✓2,350 h
Annual rainfall60 mm✓840 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access15 min✓30 min
CurrencyAEDTRY
Time zoneAsia/DubaiEurope/Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 52% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 1,544 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Abu DhabiCost of living in IstanbulConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or Istanbul cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 52% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 1,544 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Istanbul compared with Abu Dhabi?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $4,269 in Istanbul, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul?

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Istanbul scores 54 and 66. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 15°C in Istanbul.