Living Costs in Turkey (2026)
Turkey's cost of living has skyrocketed due to inflation exceeding 60% in recent years. The Turkish Lira went from 1.8/USD in 2013 to over 42/USD in 2026. Here's what that means for your daily life as a scholar.
The Lira Collapse: A Visual History
If you receive money from family in USD, EUR, or GBP, it goes much further than the TL stipend. Many scholars supplement their income through international transfers.
Budget Calculator
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Istanbul vs Ankara vs Smaller Cities
| Expense | Istanbul | Ankara | Small City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared room | 8-15K TL | 5-10K TL | 2.5-5K TL |
| Monthly food | 3-5K TL | 2.5-4K TL | 1.8-3K TL |
| Transport | 1.5-2.5K TL | 800-1.5K TL | 400-800 TL |
| Total (no rent) | 4.5-7.5K | 3.3-5.5K | 2.2-3.8K |
In smaller cities, a Master's stipend of 4,500 TL can cover basic needs if you stay in KYK. In Istanbul, even a PhD stipend of 6,000 TL barely covers food and transport alone.
Money-Saving Tips from Scholars
Cook at Home
Eating out costs 3-5x more than cooking. Learn to cook Turkish staples: lentil soup, mercimek çorbası, bulgur pilav. Buy from local pazars (open markets) on specific days for 40-60% cheaper produce.
Student Discounts
Your student ID gets you discounts on museums, transportation, and some restaurants. The Istanbulkart student rate is 50% cheaper. Ask everywhere if there's an "öğrenci indirimi."
A101 and BIM
These discount grocery chains are dramatically cheaper than Migros or Carrefour. Shop at A101, BIM, and Şok for basics. Save Migros for specialty items only.
Second-Hand Markets
Letgo (now part of Sahibinden), Dolap, and Facebook Marketplace Turkey have great deals on furniture, electronics, and clothes. Departing students often sell everything cheap at semester end.
Understand the Full Scholarship Package
Beyond living costs, understand what the scholarship actually covers and what it doesn't.
Scholarship Amount →