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Istanbul vs London

Istanbul runs about 186% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,634 USD a month.

drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+186%
London relative to Istanbul
Rent gap
$1,900
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

IstanbulLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Istanbul $700, London $2,600. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Food
    Food: Istanbul $384, London $617. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Transport
    Transport: Istanbul $67, London $282. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Istanbul $112, London $267. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Istanbul $16, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Istanbul $84, London $169. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Other
    Other: Istanbul $53, London $107. 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

MetricIstanbulLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost1,416 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)22✓63
Housing700 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities112 USD✓267 USD
Food384 USD✓617 USD
Transport67 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare16 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle84 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,269 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate48.8%28.6%✓
Left over each month2,853 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary800 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety54/10066/100✓
Healthcare66/10084/100✓
Air quality42/10060/100✓
Public transport76/10092/100✓
Walkability70/10090/100✓
English proficiency42/100100/100✓
Nightlife84/10094/100✓
Family friendliness66/10072/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C12°C✓
Summer high29°C23°C✓
Winter low3°C3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,350 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall840 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access30 min✓90 min
CurrencyTRYGBP
Time zoneEurope/IstanbulEurope/London

Istanbul runs about 186% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,634 USD a month.

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Cost of living in IstanbulCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Istanbul or London cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 186% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 2,634 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Istanbul?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,269 a month in Istanbul and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Istanbul or London?

Istanbul scores 54/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Istanbul averages 15°C against 12°C in London.