Istanbul’s rental prices hit record highs: Which areas are most expensive?
View of Bebek district from a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)
In Istanbul, rental prices have reached unprecedented levels, with 100-square-metre apartments in upscale districts exceeding $1,700 per month. In some areas, rents have even surpassed the minimum salary for doctors, set at $2,000.
Significant year-on-year increase
As of 2025, the average rent for a 100-square-metre apartment in Istanbul has risen to $735, marking a 45% increase from the previous year. This surge has made it increasingly challenging for residents to afford housing, especially in the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
Top 15 most expensive neighbourhoods
Based on data from Endeksa, here are the 15 most expensive neighborhoods in Istanbul for 100-square-metre apartments:
- Bebek (Besiktas) – $2,000
- Nisbetiye (Besiktas) – $1,900
- Omerli (Cekmekoy) – $1,800
- Sirapinar (Cekmekoy) – $1,800
- Caddebostan (Kadikoy) – $1,800
- Uskumrukoy (Sariyer) – $1,800
- Sahkulu (Beyoglu) – $1,800
- Kurucesme (Besiktas) – $1,780
- Etiler (Besiktas) – $1,780
- Ayazaga (Sariyer) – $1,750
- Fenerbahce (Kadikoy) – $1,730
- Levent (Besiktas) – $1,700
- Arnavutkoy (Besiktas) – $1,700
- Suadiye (Kadikoy) – $1,700
- Visnezade (Besiktas) – $1,680
Property sales reflect similar trends
The surge in rental prices is mirrored in the property sales market. The following districts have recorded the highest average property prices:
- Beykoz – $519.6
- Sariyer – $518.6
- Kadikoy – $410
- Bakirkoy – $354
- Sile – $336.3
- Adalar – $297.9
- Uskudar – $231
- Atasehir – $177
Market dynamics and future outlook
The significant rise in both rental and property prices is attributed to a combination of high demand, limited housing supply, and increasing construction costs.
Experts warn that if these trends continue, Istanbul’s housing market may become increasingly inaccessible for many residents, potentially leading to broader economic and social challenges.
