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Tel Aviv vs Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 61% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

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
drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Tel Aviv monthly
$3,626
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-61%
Istanbul relative to Tel Aviv
Rent gap
$1,300
Tel Aviv costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricTel AvivIstanbul
Cost
Total monthly cost3,626 USD1,416 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5722✓
Housing2,000 USD700 USD✓
Utilities176 USD112 USD✓
Food966 USD384 USD✓
Transport124 USD67 USD✓
Healthcare28 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle212 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,560 USD✓4,269 USD
Effective tax + social rate33.3%✓48.8%
Left over each month1,934 USD2,853 USD✓
Average local net salary3,200 USD✓800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre11,000 USD3,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety64/100✓54/100
Healthcare84/100✓66/100
Air quality60/100✓42/100
Public transport72/10076/100✓
Walkability88/100✓70/100
English proficiency84/100✓42/100
Nightlife94/100✓84/100
Family friendliness74/100✓66/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature21°C15°C✓
Summer high31°C29°C✓
Winter low10°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,300 h✓2,350 h
Annual rainfall530 mm✓840 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access5 min✓30 min
CurrencyILSTRY
Time zoneAsia/JerusalemEurope/Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 61% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tel Aviv or Istanbul cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 61% cheaper than Tel Aviv for this household, a difference of 2,210 USD a month.

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

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

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

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