Living in Istanbul hits wallets hard, with monthly costs hovering around $2,300
People walk before the Yeni mosque on the Galata bridge in Istanbul on Mar. 28, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The cost of living in Istanbul reached new heights, as the average monthly cost of living for a family of four was calculated at ₺87,485 ($2,301), the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) reported on Monday.
The figures show a 51.95% increase compared to March of last year. On a monthly basis, costs rose by 2.38%, marking a ₺2,032 ($63) increase from the previous month.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) reported a monthly inflation rate of 3.79% in the city, with annual inflation standing at 46.23%.
Nationally, inflation continues to trend downward for the tenth consecutive month, reaching 38.10%, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).
Diapers among fastest rising essentials
Among essential goods, personal care products recorded the highest annual price increases. Shaving products surged by 83.25%, sunflower oil by 58.13%, and baby diapers by 55.88%. In March alone, diaper prices climbed by 13.97%.
In the food category, egg prices rose 48.59% year-over-year, while bread was up 44.59%, milk 31.20%, and meat and ground beef 27.01%.
On a monthly basis, eggs saw an 11.33% spike, chicken rose by 5.32%, and granulated sugar rose by 4.97%.
Reports published by the IPA since 2023 indicate a steady upward trend in the cost of living. In March 2023, the average monthly cost was ₺31,788. In just two years, this figure has nearly tripled.
