When planning to come to Turkey either for studying or vacation, one should learn about the cost of living in Turkey. One way to evaluate the costs of studying is by comparison to other countries. When doing this, we will quickly notice that Turkey is considerably cheap.
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Please notice, the word “cheap” should be used wisely. We are viewing from a foreign perspective, most likely through the eyes of someone earning their salary in a higher values currency like the US dollar, Pound, or Euro. For the people in Turkey, where a vast majority of people earn the minimum wage of 17.002,12 TL in the year 2024, equivalent to approximately 500 US dollars, it is quite expensive.
How much is the minimum wage in Turkey?
In the year 2024, the minimum wage set by the government is 17.002,12 TL or 500 US dollars.
How many people in Turkey earn the minimum wage?
Approximately 38,5 % of the workers earn the minimum wage in turkey.
What is the price for a kilo of ham in Turkey?
A good indicator of prices in a country is the cost of a kilo of meat like ham in the country. A kilo of Beef Ham costs on average between 400 TL and 450 TL. Interestingly meat prices are cheaper in local supermarkets or butchers than in big supermarket branches like BIM or A101. While a kilo of beef ham costs around 390 Tl in a local supermarket, the price for the very same products is 450 Tl in BIM.
So, try to find the best and most economical option for yourself. Of course, sometimes you will need to discover them by yourself, but some tips and tricks will not harm you.
How expensive is cost of living in Turkey like rents?
Like elsewhere rents in Turkey vary between the different cities as well as within cities. Prices in large cities like Istanbul or Ankara are much higher than in smaller towns such as Mugla or Samsun. Also, consider that Turkey’s Inflation Rate is at 69.80%, compared to 68.60% last month and 43.70% last year. Prices for rent change year by year, which may be atypical when coming from more economically stable parts of our globe.
Therefore the state has set a law, not allowing the landlord to increase your rent by more than 20% from year to year. The reason for telling you this is to advise you to rent a place as soon as possible. And, when there is a possibility to increase your space in the next years, think about starting big. In the end, it will be more economical for you. Believe me, there are six years of experience speaking here.
How expensive are transportation costs in Turkey?
From personal experience, transportation is cheaper in Turkey than anywhere else. Let us give Ankara as an example: A ticket here costs 15 TL for adults and 7,50 TL for students. With one ticket you are allowed to travel anywhere in the city considering you are required to read the Ticket on an electronic device. Let me explain. As long as you do not leave the metro you can travel unlimited amounts of stations.
How much do Taxis cost in Turkey?
Taxis are expensive in Turkey. I would not recommend anyone to enter a Taxi in Turkey. As long as I had a choice, I have never taken a taxi out of comfort. The taxi has always been an uncomfortable way of transportation. They are expensive and there is a lot of scamming. Every time I enter a taxi the idea of scamming makes me nervous. Multiple times have I been scammed.
They do not open the taximeter. In the end, they have taken more money than allowed. Multiple times have I reported them and I will not stop. Instead of choosing the taxi, take the dolmus. Car sharing similar to Uber, called Marti is gaining in popularity.
>> Click on the following link to learn more about Transportation in Turkey!
What is marti turkey?
Founded in 2018, Marti is a Turkish mobility application, offering multiple transportation services, including scooters, motorcycles, and cars to its users.
Conclusion
Putting it all in a nutshell, I would consider Turkey an affordable place to live or study when earning a salary in a higher currency. Still, there are always cheaper alternatives. And, expensive does not always mean quality.
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Hey there,
As the admin of studyingmedicineinturkey.com, I bring firsthand experience as a foreign medical student studying in Ankara, Turkey. My journey has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that international students encounter while pursuing their medical education in Turkey.
Best of Luck:)
