Cost of Living in Turkey
It’s not just the high-quality university education that distinguishes Turkey and makes it one of the most preferred study destinations for international students. The quality of life relative to the cost is also one of the key attractive factors, placing Turkey among the top study destinations for many students around the world.
Turkey is one of the enchanting countries that offers an exciting and unique student life. Students can explore the stunning nature and numerous historical sites that bear witness to the succession of civilizations through the ages. In addition to exploring the modern aspects of the contemporary Turkish Republic, students can enjoy this cultural and civilizational mix at a very affordable cost of living.
Cost of Living in Turkey
Turkey blends contemporary Western European life with traditional Eastern Asian life, so whatever your lifestyle, you will find what suits you in Turkey. The cost of living in Turkey varies from city to city as follows:
- The cost of living in major cities like Ankara and Istanbul is higher compared to other cities like Konya and Mersin.
- Generally, the cost of living in Turkey is very suitable for international students, with an average living cost of about $500 per month.
Here are some of the main elements that illustrate the cost of living for a student in Turkey.
Factors of Cost of Living in Turkey
The cost of living in Turkey includes a number of factors, as follows:
Housing
The cost of housing varies depending on the type of accommodation the student prefers, and student housing in Turkey varies as follows:
- University housing: The cost of university housing varies significantly from one university to another and also varies depending on the type of room chosen by the student, whether single, double, triple, or quadruple rooms, and the services the student receives.
- Shared student housing: Shared student residences are another good option for international students, with many student residences available around university campuses with rental costs ranging between $100 and $130 per month.
- Private apartment: Students can also choose to live alone or with their peers in private apartments. The cost of renting an apartment varies depending on its location, with apartments near city centers being more expensive than those on the outskirts or in cities far from the capital.
Food
Many university residences offer food services, and the cost is included in the housing cost or is separate. Turkish universities also provide cafeterias that offer students a variety of daily meals at a very reasonable cost, which may be about $1.25.
The cost of food in Turkey also depends on the student’s own habits, where students can save by purchasing their basic needs weekly and cooking in their residence. As for the cost of eating in restaurants, it varies by restaurant, with higher costs in luxury restaurants, and less in medium and small restaurants.
In general, we can say that the average cost of food per person in Turkey is about $250 per month. Here is the average cost of some basic food items:
- Milk per liter: $1
- Bread: 50 cents
- Chicken per kilo: $5
- Meat per kilo: $15
- Rice per kilo: $1.5
- Tomatoes per kilo: $1
Note: These prices are approximate and subject to change.
Transportation
Transportation options in Turkey range from buses and trains to metro and taxis, and students can get a special discount card for various types of public transport. For example, the monthly subscription cost for a transport card in Istanbul is about $4.6, allowing for about 200 uses.
We advise you to allocate part of your budget for traveling and exploring different Turkish cities and visiting famous landmarks.
