Ankara vs Athens
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~45% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Ankara
Turkey
COL+Rent
21.2
Rent Index
9
Groceries
33.2
Restaurant
29.6
Athens
Greece
COL+Rent
38.8
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
57.1
Restaurant
68.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ankara | Athens | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $377 | $675 | $298 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $248 | $488 | $240 |
| Groceries | $213 | $353 | $140 |
| Restaurant Meal | $9 | $22 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $21 | $34 | $13 |
| Utilities | $51 | $181 | $130 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ankara | Athens |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $505/mo | $1,038/mo |
| Typical | $797/mo | $1,573/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,031/mo | $2,075/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ankara | ≈ in Athens | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,745/mo | +$1,245 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,660/mo | +$1,660 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,491/mo | +$2,491 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ankara vs Athens for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 45% more affordable than Athens when combining rent and daily living costs. Ankara's COL+Rent Index of 21.2 vs Athens's 38.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Ankara costs $377/month versus $675/month in Athens — giving Ankara a $298/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,576 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ankara ($213/mo) vs Athens ($353/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $9 vs $22 show Ankara is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Ankara offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $797 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.