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Istanbul vs Singapore cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇹🇷 Istanbul
🇸🇬 SingaporeIstanbul is 128% cheaper than Singapore
Living on $2,598 a month in Istanbul feels like about $7,748 in Singapore — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$154 vs $245
Per month
$2,598 vs $7,748
Local meal
₺ 300 vs S$ 7
$7.32 vs $5.38
Taxi 5 km
₺ 230 vs S$ 8
$5.61 vs $6.15
At a glance
FoodSingapore 11% cheaper
Cafés & drinksIstanbul 40% cheaper
TransportIstanbul 42% cheaper
StayIstanbul 68% cheaper
FunIstanbul 47% cheaper
- Where Singapore is clearly cheaper: Street food (30%↓), Local meal (26%↓)
- Where Istanbul is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (77%↓), Convenience store (68%↓), Bottled water (68%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Istanbul | Singapore | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₺ 300$7.32 | S$ 7$5.38 | Singapore −26% |
| Street food1 item | ₺ 140$3.41 | S$ 3.1$2.38 | Singapore −30% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₺ 900$22 | S$ 35$26.9 | Istanbul −18% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₺ 150$3.66 | S$ 6$4.62 | Istanbul −21% |
| Beerone bottle | ₺ 200$4.88 | S$ 12$9.23 | Istanbul −47% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₺ 520$12.7 | S$ 31$23.8 | Istanbul −47% |
| Bottled water | ₺ 15$0.37 | S$ 1.5$1.15 | Istanbul −68% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₺ 38$0.93 | S$ 3.8$2.92 | Istanbul −68% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₺ 230$5.61 | S$ 8$6.15 | Istanbul −9% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₺ 160$3.9 | S$ 10$7.69 | Istanbul −49% |
| Transitone ride | ₺ 27$0.66 | S$ 1.8$1.38 | Istanbul −52% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₺ 820$20 | S$ 32$24.6 | Istanbul −19% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₺ 3,500$85.4 | S$ 220$169 | Istanbul −50% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₺ 28,000$683 | S$ 3,800$2,923 | Istanbul −77% |
| Laundry | ₺ 82$2 | S$ 5$3.85 | Istanbul −48% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₺ 410$10 | S$ 20$15.4 | Istanbul −35% |
| Haircutcut | ₺ 350$8.54 | S$ 25$19.2 | Istanbul −56% |
| Massage1 hour | ₺ 1,000$24.4 | S$ 72$55.4 | Istanbul −56% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₺ 1,400$34.1 | S$ 78$60 | Istanbul −43% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₺ 620$15.1 | S$ 32$24.6 | Istanbul −39% |
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 Singapore?
Istanbul is 128% cheaper than Singapore. Daily budget $154 vs $245; a month $2,598 vs $7,748.
How do monthly costs compare between Istanbul and Singapore?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Istanbul is about $2,598 and Singapore about $7,748 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.