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Istanbul vs Manila cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🇵🇠ManilaManila is 38% cheaper than Istanbul
Living on $2,598 a month in Istanbul feels like about $1,616 in Manila — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$154 vs $94.2
Per month
$2,598 vs $1,616
Local meal
₺ 300 vs ₱ 180
$7.32 vs $3.16
Taxi 5 km
₺ 230 vs ₱ 130
$5.61 vs $2.28
At a glance
FoodManila 56% cheaper
Cafés & drinksManila 55% cheaper
TransportManila 60% cheaper
StayManila 28% cheaper
FunManila 40% cheaper
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Cocktail & wine (68%↓), Beer (68%↓), Massage (63%↓)
- Where Istanbul is clearly cheaper: Bottled water (17%↓), Convenience store (16%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Istanbul | Manila | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₺ 300$7.32 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Manila −57% |
| Street food1 item | ₺ 140$3.41 | ₱ 81$1.42 | Manila −58% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₺ 900$22 | ₱ 600$10.5 | Manila −52% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₺ 150$3.66 | ₱ 150$2.63 | Manila −28% |
| Beerone bottle | ₺ 200$4.88 | ₱ 90$1.58 | Manila −68% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₺ 520$12.7 | ₱ 230$4.04 | Manila −68% |
| Bottled water | ₺ 15$0.37 | ₱ 25$0.44 | Istanbul −17% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₺ 38$0.93 | ₱ 63$1.11 | Istanbul −16% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₺ 230$5.61 | ₱ 130$2.28 | Manila −59% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₺ 160$3.9 | ₱ 86$1.51 | Manila −61% |
| Transitone ride | ₺ 27$0.66 | ₱ 15$0.26 | Manila −60% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₺ 820$20 | ₱ 460$8.07 | Manila −60% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₺ 3,500$85.4 | ₱ 3,500$61.4 | Manila −28% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₺ 28,000$683 | ₱ 28,000$491 | Manila −28% |
| Laundry | ₺ 82$2 | ₱ 86$1.51 | Manila −25% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₺ 410$10 | ₱ 340$5.96 | Manila −40% |
| Haircutcut | ₺ 350$8.54 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Manila −63% |
| Massage1 hour | ₺ 1,000$24.4 | ₱ 510$8.95 | Manila −63% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₺ 1,400$34.1 | ₱ 2,000$35.1 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₺ 620$15.1 | ₱ 340$5.96 | Manila −61% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Istanbul or Manila?
Manila is 38% cheaper than Istanbul. Daily budget $154 vs $94.2; a month $2,598 vs $1,616.
How do monthly costs compare between Istanbul and Manila?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Istanbul is about $2,598 and Manila about $1,616 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.