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Istanbul vs Tel Aviv

Istanbul runs about 156% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Tel Aviv-Yafo City Hall and Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, Israel. View from Gan Ha'ir Tower
Tel Aviv
$3,626/month · Israel
Anagoria · CC BY 3.0
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Tel Aviv monthly
$3,626
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+156%
Tel Aviv relative to Istanbul
Rent gap
$1,300
Tel Aviv costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

IstanbulTel Aviv
  • Housing
    Housing: Istanbul $700, Tel Aviv $2,000. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Food
    Food: Istanbul $384, Tel Aviv $966. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Transport
    Transport: Istanbul $67, Tel Aviv $124. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Istanbul $112, Tel Aviv $176. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Istanbul $16, Tel Aviv $28. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Istanbul $84, Tel Aviv $212. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Other
    Other: Istanbul $53, Tel Aviv $120. 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

MetricIstanbulTel Aviv
Cost
Total monthly cost1,416 USD✓3,626 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)22✓57
Housing700 USD✓2,000 USD
Utilities112 USD✓176 USD
Food384 USD✓966 USD
Transport67 USD✓124 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓28 USD
Lifestyle84 USD✓212 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,269 USD5,560 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate48.8%33.3%✓
Left over each month2,853 USD✓1,934 USD
Average local net salary800 USD3,200 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD✓2,000 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓3,700 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD✓11,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety54/10064/100✓
Healthcare66/10084/100✓
Air quality42/10060/100✓
Public transport76/100✓72/100
Walkability70/10088/100✓
English proficiency42/10084/100✓
Nightlife84/10094/100✓
Family friendliness66/10074/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓21°C
Summer high29°C✓31°C
Winter low3°C10°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,350 h3,300 h✓
Annual rainfall840 mm530 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access30 min5 min✓
CurrencyTRYILS
Time zoneEurope/IstanbulAsia/Jerusalem

Istanbul runs about 156% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Istanbul or Tel Aviv cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 156% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Tel Aviv compared with Istanbul?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,269 a month in Istanbul and $5,560 in Tel Aviv, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Istanbul or Tel Aviv?

Istanbul scores 54/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; Tel Aviv scores 64 and 84. Istanbul averages 15°C against 21°C in Tel Aviv.