Cost of living in Istanbul surpasses $2,000
A general view of Galata Tower and surrounding neighbourhood from the garden of Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 6, 2021.(Reuters/Umit Bektas)
The cost of living for a family of four in Istanbul rose by 3.62% in September compared to the previous month, reaching ₺71,431 ($2,085), according to data from the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA).
Over the past year, the cost has increased by 60.3%, with a 34.63% rise in the first nine months of 2024.
Significant yearly increase in living costs
The IPA’s September report revealed that the city’s living costs have consistently risen. “The cost of living in Istanbul has seen a substantial increase over the past year, with an overall rise of 60.30% compared to the same month last year,” the report states.
For a family of four, the average cost of living increased by ₺2,498 in just one month, pushing the total to ₺71,431. In January, this figure was ₺53,058, reflecting a significant 34.63% increase in the first nine months of the year.
| Year and month | Monthly rate of change (%) |
| January 2023 | 6.64 |
| February 2023 | 3.86 |
| March 2023 | 4.01 |
| April 2023 | 3.10 |
| May 2023 | 2.24 |
| June 2023 | 5.59 |
| July 2023 | 9.75 |
| August 2023 | 9.69 |
| September 2023 | 4.62 |
| October 2023 | 3.13 |
| November 2023 | 3.35 |
| December 2023 | 3.51 |
| January 2024 | 7.93 |
| February 2024 | 4.26 |
| March 2024 | 4.07 |
| April 2024 | 3.06 |
| May 2024 | 3.69 |
| June 2024 | 3.25 |
| July 2024 | 4.76 |
| August 2024 | 3.58 |
| September 2024 | 3.62 |
Eggs and household items see highest price hikes in Istanbul
Among the monthly price increases, eggs experienced the highest surge, rising by 7.38% in September. Shaving supplies followed with a 3.67% increase, while dry beans rose by 3.17%, and children’s t-shirts saw a 3% price hike.
On an annual basis, the biggest price increase was seen in toilet paper, with a staggering 118.62% rise, followed by shaving supplies at 90.28%, dry beans at 83.49% and minced meat at 69.42%.
Rising costs reflect broader economic challenges
The rising cost of living in Istanbul reflects broader inflationary pressures in Türkiye. As everyday items become more expensive, families are facing increasing difficulties managing their monthly expenses.
The data highlights significant price surges in basic necessities such as food and hygiene products, further straining household budgets.
