Cost of Living in Ankara (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Ankara? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

Furnished 1-bed, central (Çankaya/Kavaklıdere)US$350-650 / mo

Meal, mid-range restaurantUS$7-12

Simit (street sesame ring)under US$0.40

Çay (glass of tea)US$0.25-0.60

Transit ride (Başkentkart)under US$0.50

Est. single-person monthlyUS$550-800 (excl. rent)

Good to know

Population

~5.3 million urban, ~5.9 million province (2025)

Languages

Turkish — English is much thinner here than in Istanbul, outside the universities and embassies

Currency

Turkish Lira (TRY, ₺) — high inflation; savings usually held in USD/EUR

Time zone

TRT (GMT+3), no daylight saving

Power plug

Types C/F, 230V

Climate

Cold semi-arid — snowy winters, hot dry summers, ~414 mm of rain a year

Altitude

938 m on the Anatolian steppe — high enough that winter settles

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Ankara checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.