# Athens vs Istanbul: cost of living compared

> Istanbul runs about 20% cheaper than Athens for this household, a difference of 350 USD a month.

- **Source:** https://cost-of-life.com/compare/athens-vs-istanbul
- **Household priced:** one adult, one-bedroom in the centre, moderate lifestyle
- **Salary tested:** $100,000 gross per year

| Group | Metric | Athens | Istanbul |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Total monthly cost | 1,766 USD | 1,416 USD |
| Cost | Cost index (New York = 100) | 28 | 22 |
| Cost | Housing | 750 USD | 700 USD |
| Cost | Utilities | 183 USD | 112 USD |
| Cost | Food | 520 USD | 384 USD |
| Cost | Transport | 95 USD | 67 USD |
| Cost | Healthcare | 28 USD | 16 USD |
| Cost | Lifestyle | 114 USD | 84 USD |
| Income & tax | Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr | 4,267 USD | 4,269 USD |
| Income & tax | Effective tax + social rate | 48.8% | 48.8% |
| Income & tax | Left over each month | 2,501 USD | 2,853 USD |
| Income & tax | Average local net salary | 1,150 USD | 800 USD |
| Housing | 1-bed rent, city centre | 750 USD | 700 USD |
| Housing | 3-bed rent, city centre | 1,400 USD | 1,400 USD |
| Housing | Buy price per m², centre | 2,600 USD | 3,200 USD |
| Quality of life | Safety | 66/100 | 54/100 |
| Quality of life | Healthcare | 72/100 | 66/100 |
| Quality of life | Air quality | 52/100 | 42/100 |
| Quality of life | Public transport | 72/100 | 76/100 |
| Quality of life | Walkability | 80/100 | 70/100 |
| Quality of life | English proficiency | 64/100 | 42/100 |
| Quality of life | Nightlife | 88/100 | 84/100 |
| Quality of life | Family friendliness | 72/100 | 66/100 |
| Quality of life | Median broadband | 90 Mbps | 90 Mbps |
| Climate | Average temperature | 19°C | 15°C |
| Climate | Summer high | 33°C | 29°C |
| Climate | Winter low | 7°C | 3°C |
| Climate | Sunshine hours per year | 2,850 h | 2,350 h |
| Climate | Annual rainfall | 400 mm | 840 mm |
| Practicalities | Remote-work visa | Yes | Yes |
| Practicalities | Beach access | 30 min | 30 min |
| Practicalities | Currency | EUR | TRY |
| Practicalities | Time zone | Europe/Athens | Europe/Istanbul |

Figures are modelled estimates. Methodology: https://cost-of-life.com/methodology