Cost of Living: Turkey vs Japan

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Turkey and Japan.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Turkey is 11.3% cheaper than Japan. The biggest difference is in Transportation, where costs are 107.3% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $89 in Turkey for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 67.4%

Turkey is 67.4% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 60.9%

Turkey is 60.9% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 60.7%

Turkey is 60.7% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 11.3%

Turkey is 11.3% cheaper than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +107.3%
  • Clothing And Shoes +29.9%

Is Turkey cheaper than Japan?

Yes, Turkey is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Turkey are 11.3% lower than in Japan.

Where Turkey is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 67.4% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 60.9% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 60.7% cheaper

Where Turkey is more expensive:

  • Transportation 107.3% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 29.9% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Turkey: 8.98 $ Japan: 7.01 $
28.1% more expensive in Turkey

Monthly public transport pass

Turkey: 46.20 $ Japan: 58.97 $
21.7% cheaper in Turkey

1 liter of milk

Turkey: 1.02 $ Japan: 1.56 $
34.6% cheaper in Turkey

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Turkey is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would save approximately 11.3% on living expenses by choosing Turkey over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

11.3%

Turkey is 11.3% cheaper than Japan

Restaurants

3.4%

Turkey is 3.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Markets

26.2%

Turkey is 26.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

48.1%

Turkey is 48.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

107.3%

Turkey is 107.3% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

60.6%

Turkey is 60.6% cheaper than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

60.7%

Turkey is 60.7% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

16.5%

Turkey is 16.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Childcare

2.4%

Turkey is 2.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

29.9%

Turkey is 29.9% more expensive than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

6.4%

Turkey is 6.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Property Prices

67.4%

Turkey is 67.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

60.9%

Turkey is 60.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Turkey Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 8.98 $ 7.01 $ 28.1%
Turkey is 28.1% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 38.50 $ 35.03 $ 9.9%
Turkey is 9.9% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.83 $ 5.61 $ 39.6%
Turkey is 39.6% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.26 $ 3.36 $ 3.0%
Turkey is 3.0% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.29 $ 1.12 $ 15.2%
Turkey is 15.2% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.46 $ 0.82 $ 43.9%
Turkey is 43.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.50 $ 0.94 $ 46.8%
Turkey is 46.8% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 1.50 $ 2.32 $ 35.3%
Turkey is 35.3% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.24 $ 8.42 $ 61.5%
Turkey is 61.5% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 8.50 $ 11.20 $ 24.1%
Turkey is 24.1% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.20 $ 2.04 $ 41.2%
Turkey is 41.2% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.02 $ 1.56 $ 34.6%
Turkey is 34.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.79 $ 1.59 $ 50.3%
Turkey is 50.3% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.22 $ 4.51 $ 50.8%
Turkey is 50.8% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.29 $ 2.24 $ 2.2%
Turkey is 2.2% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.03 $ 12.14 $ 17.4%
Turkey is 17.4% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.83 $ 6.92 $ 15.8%
Turkey is 15.8% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 18.54 $ 17.18 $ 7.9%
Turkey is 7.9% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 1.37 $ 5.37 $ 74.5%
Turkey is 74.5% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.24 $ 2.62 $ 14.5%
Turkey is 14.5% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.20 $ 4.78 $ 74.9%
Turkey is 74.9% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.52 $ 4.84 $ 68.6%
Turkey is 68.6% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.75 $ 2.85 $ 73.7%
Turkey is 73.7% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.61 $ 2.65 $ 77.0%
Turkey is 77.0% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.02 $ 1.39 $ 26.6%
Turkey is 26.6% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 46.20 $ 58.97 $ 21.7%
Turkey is 21.7% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 2.18 $ 4.20 $ 48.1%
Turkey is 48.1% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.69 $ 1.54 $ 55.2%
Turkey is 55.2% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.08 $ 4.20 $ 74.3%
Turkey is 74.3% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.72 $ 3.15 $ 77.1%
Turkey is 77.1% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 7.70 $ 23.82 $ 67.7%
Turkey is 67.7% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.21 $ 1.22 $ 0.8%
Turkey is 0.8% cheaper
New Economy Car 42,132.74 $ 23,415.29 $ 79.9%
Turkey is 79.9% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 43,681.59 $ 17,953.06 $ 143.3%
Turkey is 143.3% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 70.58 $ 178.92 $ 60.6%
Turkey is 60.6% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 10.88 $ 27.25 $ 60.1%
Turkey is 60.1% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 13.83 $ 35.66 $ 61.2%
Turkey is 61.2% cheaper
Gym Membership 50.58 $ 60.05 $ 15.8%
Turkey is 15.8% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 17.40 $ 15.69 $ 10.9%
Turkey is 10.9% more expensive
Movie Ticket 6.42 $ 13.31 $ 51.8%
Turkey is 51.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 670.28 $ 348.57 $ 92.3%
Turkey is 92.3% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 12,865.24 $ 13,519.03 $ 4.8%
Turkey is 4.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 54.85 $ 49.02 $ 11.9%
Turkey is 11.9% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 43.54 $ 32.77 $ 32.9%
Turkey is 32.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 107.63 $ 63.16 $ 70.4%
Turkey is 70.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 96.32 $ 87.75 $ 9.8%
Turkey is 9.8% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 653.86 $ 624.64 $ 4.7%
Turkey is 4.7% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 461.36 $ 424.63 $ 8.6%
Turkey is 8.6% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,181.41 $ 1,366.33 $ 13.5%
Turkey is 13.5% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 738.00 $ 825.90 $ 10.6%
Turkey is 10.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,087.61 $ 6,447.80 $ 67.6%
Turkey is 67.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,176.26 $ 3,555.73 $ 66.9%
Turkey is 66.9% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 809.47 $ 2,177.14 $ 62.8%
Turkey is 62.8% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 42.04 1.82 2,209.9%
Turkey is 2,209.9% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. Enter your monthly expenses in Turkey to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Turkey and Japan goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Turkey vs Japan

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Turkey

Japan

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Turkey Cost of living in Japan

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