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Budget Living
Cheapest Places
to Live in Turkey
Turkey offers some of the most affordable living in Europe and the Mediterranean. Here are the 6 cheapest cities and towns for expats in 2026, ranked by monthly budget.
Quick Answer
What is the cheapest place to live in Turkey?
Konya and Trabzon have the lowest absolute costs. Among popular expat coastal destinations, Alanya and Didim are the cheapest. A single person can live comfortably in Alanya or Didim on €700–900/month including rent, utilities, food, and entertainment.
- ›Alanya: Cheapest popular Mediterranean coastal town — €700–1,100/month
- ›Mersin: Possibly cheapest coastal city with full infrastructure — €650–1,000/month
- ›Didim: Cheap Aegean town with British expat community — €700–1,100/month
- ›Trabzon: Cheapest major northern city — €600–950/month
- ›Konya: Cheapest inland city — €550–850/month
6 Cheapest Cities Ranked
Alanya
Budget Coastal Living€700–1,100/monthCoastal Resort Town · Mediterranean
Alanya is consistently ranked as one of the cheapest Mediterranean coastal towns in all of Europe for expat living. The large Scandinavian and German expat community has created a well-organised, English-friendly environment at very low prices. Warm winters (rarely below 10°C) mean utilities costs stay low.
1BR Rent
€180–350
Groceries/mo
€100–160
Dining out/mo
€60–120
Pros
- ✓Lowest rent on the Mediterranean coast
- ✓Warm winters reduce heating costs
- ✓Large established expat infrastructure
Cons
- –Limited specialist healthcare
- –Less cultural depth than cities
- –Can feel isolated in off-season
Mersin
Cheapest Coastal City€650–1,000/monthWorking City · Eastern Mediterranean
Mersin is a large port city that most expats overlook — but it offers perhaps the lowest cost of living on Turkey's entire coast. It has full city infrastructure, good hospitals, a university, and genuine Mediterranean beaches, all at prices well below Antalya or Izmir. The expat community is smaller but present.
1BR Rent
€150–280
Groceries/mo
€90–150
Dining out/mo
€50–100
Pros
- ✓Possibly Turkey's cheapest coastal city
- ✓Full city infrastructure and hospitals
- ✓Less touristy — more authentic Turkish city life
Cons
- –Small expat community
- –Less scenic than Antalya or Bodrum
- –Limited direct international flights
Didim
Budget Aegean Base€700–1,100/monthSmall Resort Town · Aegean
Didim is a small Aegean coastal town with a large British expat community and some of Turkey's cheapest property and rental prices. It's quiet, uncomplicated, and affordable — perfect for budget-conscious retirees who want coast life without fuss. The famous Temple of Apollo at Didyma is nearby.
1BR Rent
€160–300
Groceries/mo
€95–155
Dining out/mo
€55–110
Pros
- ✓Very cheap property and rent
- ✓Established British expat community
- ✓Quiet, low-stress lifestyle
Cons
- –Limited services and entertainment
- –Very quiet in winter
- –Nearest big city (Bodrum/Izmir) 1-2 hours
Trabzon
Cheapest Major City€600–950/monthNorthern City · Black Sea
Trabzon on the Black Sea coast is one of Turkey's cheapest major cities. Less popular with Western expats, it attracts Middle Eastern residents (particularly from Iran, Iraq, and Gulf countries) and has a growing international community. The climate is cooler and wetter than the Mediterranean, which keeps tourism and costs low.
1BR Rent
€130–250
Groceries/mo
€85–140
Dining out/mo
€45–90
Pros
- ✓Lowest overall costs of any Turkish city with decent infrastructure
- ✓University city with good services
- ✓Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery
Cons
- –Wetter, greyer climate than Mediterranean
- –Very small Western expat community
- –Limited international flights
Konya
Ultra-Budget Interior€550–850/monthInland City · Central Anatolia
Konya is one of Turkey's largest and most conservative cities — and one of its cheapest. As a Sufi cultural centre (home of Rumi's tomb), it has significant historical interest. Not a typical expat destination, but those who want to live deeply affordably in Turkey and don't need a large expat community consider it seriously.
1BR Rent
€120–220
Groceries/mo
€80–130
Dining out/mo
€40–80
Pros
- ✓Lowest urban costs in Turkey
- ✓Rich cultural and historical heritage
- ✓Large, fully-serviced city
Cons
- –Very conservative social atmosphere
- –Tiny Western expat community
- –No coast; flat, dry landscape
Bursa
Budget Near Istanbul€650–1,000/monthIndustrial/Historical City · Northwest Anatolia
Bursa is a large city just 1.5 hours from Istanbul offering dramatically lower costs than the metropolis. It has excellent infrastructure, good private hospitals, a university, skiing on Mount Uludağ, and a strong textile and automotive industry. Popular with workers priced out of Istanbul who want city life at lower cost.
1BR Rent
€150–280
Groceries/mo
€90–150
Dining out/mo
€50–100
Pros
- ✓Full city infrastructure at fraction of Istanbul prices
- ✓Good private hospitals
- ✓Easy day-trip access to Istanbul; skiing at Uludağ
Cons
- –Industrial parts of city less attractive
- –Air quality can be poor in winter
- –Smaller expat scene than Istanbul
Sample Monthly Budget
Typical single-person budget in Alanya or Didim — the most popular affordable expat towns.
Single Person — Affordable Coastal Town (Alanya / Didim)
Costs priced in EUR at mid-2026 exchange rates. Actual TRY costs fluctuate with exchange rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest city in Turkey to live in as an expat?
Konya and Trabzon have the lowest absolute cost of living among Turkish cities with decent infrastructure. However, among popular expat destinations with English-speaking services, Alanya and Didim offer the best combination of low cost and established expat community. Mersin is an often-overlooked gem for budget coastal living.
Can I live in Turkey on €800/month?
Yes, comfortably in most Turkish cities outside Istanbul and Bodrum. In Alanya, Didim, or Mersin, €800/month is sufficient for a comfortable single-person lifestyle including a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, groceries, dining out, and modest entertainment. A couple can live comfortably in these cities on €1,100–1,400/month.
Why is Turkey so cheap to live in?
Turkey's affordability for foreigners is primarily a result of the Turkish lira's significant depreciation against major currencies since 2018. Rents, local food, utilities, and services are priced in Turkish lira, so euro- and dollar-earners get exceptional purchasing power. The lira has lost more than 80% of its value against the euro over the past decade.