Best Cities in Turkey
with Low Cost of Living

Konya has the lowest absolute costs, followed closely by Trabzon and Mersin. Among popular expat coastal towns, Alanya and Didim are consistently among the cheapest. A single person can live comfortably in Alanya on €700–900/month including rent, utilities, food, transport, and modest entertainment.

Turkey is typically 50–70% cheaper than Western European countries for everyday living costs. Rent is particularly cheap by European standards: a furnished one-bedroom apartment in a coastal Turkish city costs €180–400/month compared to €900–1,800 for equivalent accommodation in London, Paris, or Amsterdam. Food, dining out, and services are similarly discounted.

Turkey has experienced high domestic inflation (over 60% annually at peak in 2022–2023), which means prices in Turkish lira rise quickly. However, the lira has simultaneously depreciated against the euro and USD, which has largely offset cost increases for foreign income earners. For those paid in euros or dollars, Turkey remains very affordable despite domestic inflation.

Key costs to budget for beyond rent and food: residence permit renewal fees (approximately €200–400 every 1–2 years), private health insurance (€50–150/month), Turkish language course (€200–400 for a course), flights home 1–2 times per year, and property management fees if renting formally. Utilities can spike in summer (air conditioning) and winter (heating) in some climates.