# Istanbul vs Riyadh: cost of living compared

> Istanbul runs about 53% cheaper than Riyadh for this household, a difference of 752 USD a month.

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

| Group | Metric | Istanbul | Riyadh |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Total monthly cost | 1,416 USD | 2,169 USD |
| Cost | Cost index (New York = 100) | 22 | 34 |
| Cost | Housing | 700 USD | 1,100 USD |
| Cost | Utilities | 112 USD | 204 USD |
| Cost | Food | 384 USD | 496 USD |
| Cost | Transport | 67 USD | 85 USD |
| Cost | Healthcare | 16 USD | 35 USD |
| Cost | Lifestyle | 84 USD | 170 USD |
| Income & tax | Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr | 4,269 USD | 8,333 USD |
| Income & tax | Effective tax + social rate | 48.8% | 0.0% |
| Income & tax | Left over each month | 2,853 USD | 6,165 USD |
| Income & tax | Average local net salary | 800 USD | 2,600 USD |
| Housing | 1-bed rent, city centre | 700 USD | 1,100 USD |
| Housing | 3-bed rent, city centre | 1,400 USD | 2,200 USD |
| Housing | Buy price per m², centre | 3,200 USD | 2,800 USD |
| Quality of life | Safety | 54/100 | 80/100 |
| Quality of life | Healthcare | 66/100 | 74/100 |
| Quality of life | Air quality | 42/100 | 38/100 |
| Quality of life | Public transport | 76/100 | 45/100 |
| Quality of life | Walkability | 70/100 | 30/100 |
| Quality of life | English proficiency | 42/100 | 66/100 |
| Quality of life | Nightlife | 84/100 | 25/100 |
| Quality of life | Family friendliness | 66/100 | 72/100 |
| Quality of life | Median broadband | 90 Mbps | 140 Mbps |
| Climate | Average temperature | 15°C | 26°C |
| Climate | Summer high | 29°C | 44°C |
| Climate | Winter low | 3°C | 9°C |
| Climate | Sunshine hours per year | 2,350 h | 3,400 h |
| Climate | Annual rainfall | 840 mm | 110 mm |
| Practicalities | Remote-work visa | Yes | No |
| Practicalities | Beach access | 30 min | None nearby |
| Practicalities | Currency | TRY | SAR |
| Practicalities | Time zone | Europe/Istanbul | Asia/Riyadh |

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