Moving from to
Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.
The verdict
Turkey is 55% cheaper to live in. Quality of life drops by 8 points.
Examining Turkey against the United States in terms of Quality of Life shows the US with a modest lead at 63/100 compared to Turkey's 55/100. The most significant differences, all tied at a 20-point gap, are in healthcare (US 59 vs. Turkey 39), internet access (US 76 vs. Turkey 56), and taxation (US 63 vs. Turkey 43). This suggests the US offers better services and a more palatable tax system. Interestingly, despite these advantages, Turkey slightly surpasses the US in safety (68 vs. 62). Climate scores are comparable (Turkey 68 at 13°C vs. US 64 at 14°C). The substantial trade-off is price level; Turkey is exceptionally affordable at 38, while the US stands at a much higher 100.
The United States narrowly wins this comparison, driven by its stronger healthcare, internet, and taxation scores, despite Turkey offering superior safety and dramatically lower living costs.
What Things Actually Cost
Price Index: United States = 100, Turkey = 45 (US = 100)
Big Mac
Starbucks Tall Latte
Beer 500ml (bar)
iPhone 16 128GB
Netflix Standard (monthly)
1L Gasoline (95)
Single Transit Ticket
Airbnb Studio (city center)
Quality of Life
United States: 63/100 vs Turkey: 55/100
Moving to Turkey: Practicalities
Visa Openness
65/100
English Level
40/100
Expat Community
7.2%
Digital Nomad Visa
No