Cost of Living in Turkey
Homes in Turkey were valued at an average rent of TRY 275.37 per m² a month in the third quarter of 2026, about TRY 27,537 for 100 m², according to TCMB appraisal data. That was 32% more than a year earlier. Consumer prices rose 29.77% in the 12 months to October 2026, and prices for household consumption were about 48% below the EU average in 2025.
Moving to Turkey, or hiring someone there? This page sets out official figures on the cost of living: rents from the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB), inflation and household spending from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), and price levels against the EU average from Eurostat. Prices rise about 30% a year in Turkey, so each figure shows the month, quarter or year it covers.
Rents in Turkey and its 3 largest cities, Q3 2026
Price levels in Turkey compared with the EU average
Rent in Turkey
Rents have risen fast in Turkey. Homes were valued at an average rent of TRY 275.37 per m² a month in the third quarter of 2026, according to bank appraisal data published by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB). For a 100 m² home that is about TRY 27,537 a month. The figure was 32% higher than in the third quarter of 2025 and 6.5% higher than in the second quarter of 2026. Istanbul is the most expensive of the 3 largest cities at TRY 475.20 per m², 73% above the national figure, followed by Izmir at TRY 296.46 and Ankara at TRY 254.62. These are appraised values, not rents in signed contracts, and TÜİK publishes no national average rent in lira.
The TCMB New Tenant Rent Index tracks the rents new tenants pay. It rose 26.6% in the 12 months to September 2026 and 2.1% on August. After inflation that is a fall of 2.4% in a year. Istanbul had the fastest rise, 35.5%. Our cost of living in Istanbul page has more on Istanbul rents and house prices.
Consumer prices and inflation
Prices in Turkey are low in euro terms. In 2025 its price level for household consumption was 52.2, against an EU average of 100, according to Eurostat: about 48% below the average. The gap is closing fast. The index was 40.5 in 2023 and 48.9 in 2024. Housing, water, electricity and gas rose from 18.7 to 38.7 in 2 years, and transport is the closest to EU prices at 82.4.
Inflation is high. Consumer prices rose 29.77% in the 12 months to October 2026 and 2.58% in October alone, according to TÜİK. The annual rate was 32.87% in October 2025 and 48.58% in October 2024. Of the 3 largest spending groups, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose fastest, by 40.24%. Prices in October 2026 were 27.52% higher than in December 2025. Because prices change this fast, every lira figure on this page carries its own date.
| Consumer prices (TÜİK CPI) | 12 months to October 2026 | October 2026 on September |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 29.77% | 2.58% |
| Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels | 40.24% | 2.84% |
| Transport | 36.39% | 2.02% |
| Food and non-alcoholic drinks | 27.73% | 3.5% |
| Core measure B (excludes unprocessed food, energy, alcohol, tobacco and gold) | 28.46% | 2% |
Eurostat's harmonized index (HICP) gives the same picture against the euro area. In September 2026 prices in Turkey were 29.7% higher than a year earlier, against 3.8% in the euro area. Rents rose 41.3%.
| HICP, 12 months to September 2026 | Turkey | Euro area |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 29.7% | 3.8% |
| Actual rents for housing | 41.3% | 2.6% |
| Electricity, gas and other fuels | 41% | 9.4% |
| Transport | 35% | 9.8% |
| Food and non-alcoholic drinks | 27.6% | 1% |
Household spending
Turkish households spent 29.3% of their consumption budget on housing and rent in 2025, up from 26% in 2024, according to the TÜİK Household Budget Survey. Transport took 20.5% and food 17.3%. The poorest fifth of households spent 38.7% on housing and rent and 29.2% on food; the richest fifth spent 25.7% on housing and 25% on transport. People living alone spent 41% on housing and rent. Istanbul accounts for 25.6% of all household spending in Turkey, and households there spend 29.6% of their budget on housing and rent.
| Share of household spending | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and rent | 29.3% | 26.0% |
| Transport | 20.5% | 21.6% |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 17.3% | 18.1% |
| Restaurants and accommodation | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| Furniture and household goods | 5.3% | 5.9% |
| Clothing and footwear | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Information and communication | 3.6% | 3.7% |
| Personal care and other goods and services | 3.3% | 3.8% |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Recreation, sport and culture | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Health | 2.2% | 2.3% |
| Education services | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Insurance and financial services | 0.8% | 0.7% |
Transport, energy and local costs
Transport prices rose 36.39% in the 12 months to October 2026, and electricity, gas and other fuels 41% in the 12 months to September 2026 on the HICP measure. Public transport fares are set by each city. In Istanbul a full-fare monthly Mavi Kart pass costs TRY 3,628.00 and a single Istanbulkart ride TRY 46.20, under the fares in force from 20 July 2026. This page does not list energy and water tariffs; check the current tariff with the provider before you budget.
What it means for pay and hiring
The gross minimum wage is TRY 33,030 a month in 2026, or TRY 28,075.50 net. The appraised rent of a 100 m² home at the national average, TRY 27,537 in the third quarter of 2026, is about 98% of that net wage. The latest official average pay, TRY 26,402 gross a month, is from November 2023, before nearly 3 years of high inflation, so it understates pay today. With prices rising this fast, a salary set today loses value quickly, so agree when and how pay will be reviewed. See pay levels on our average salary in Turkey and Turkey minimum wage pages, employer costs in our guide to hiring in Turkey, and city figures on our Istanbul guide.
How Euro Remote Talent can help
We do placement. We source, screen and interview remote professionals across Europe, then deliver a shortlist of 3 candidates within 21 days for a flat $6,500, or your deposit back. Prefer to run the search yourself? Post a job for $299 and reach candidates who want to work remotely.
See how placement works, post a job or book a 30-minute call. Browse remote jobs in Europe to see who is hiring now.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and collective agreements can set different terms. Confirm with a local accountant or lawyer before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
How much is rent in Turkey?
Homes were valued at an average rent of TRY 275.37 per m² a month in the third quarter of 2026, about TRY 27,537 for 100 m², according to TCMB appraisal data. Istanbul averaged TRY 475.20 per m², Izmir TRY 296.46 and Ankara TRY 254.62.
Is Turkey cheap compared with the rest of Europe?
Yes, in euro terms. In 2025 Turkish prices for household consumption were 52.2 against an EU average of 100, according to Eurostat. The gap is narrowing: the index was 40.5 in 2023.
What is the inflation rate in Turkey?
Consumer prices rose 29.77% in the 12 months to October 2026 and 2.58% in October, according to TÜİK. The next figure, for November, is due on 3 December 2026.
How fast are rents rising in Turkey?
The TCMB New Tenant Rent Index rose 26.6% in the 12 months to September 2026, slightly less than inflation. Appraised rents per m² were 32% higher in the third quarter of 2026 than a year earlier.
What do households in Turkey spend most on?
Housing and rent, at 29.3% of consumption spending in 2025, then transport at 20.5% and food at 17.3%, according to the TÜİK Household Budget Survey.
Sources
- TCMB, Unit Rents of Appraised Residential Properties (Quarterly). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TCMB, Residential Property Price Index and New Tenant Rent Index. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TÜİK, Tüketici Fiyat Endeksi, Ekim 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TCMB, Tüketici Fiyatları. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, HICP annual rate of change (prc_hicp_minr). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- Eurostat, Price level indices by analytical category (prc_ppp_ind_1). Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TÜİK, Hanehalkı Tüketim Harcaması, 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TÜİK, Hanehalkı Tüketim Harcaması (Bölgesel), 2025. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- ÇSGB, Asgari ücretin net hesabı ve işverene maliyeti 2026. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- TÜİK, Kazanç Yapısı İstatistikleri, 2023. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
- IETT, İETT Toplu Ulaşım Ücret Tarifesi. Checked 5 Nov 2026.
