Ankara vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~40% 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
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ankara | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $377 | $756 | $379 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $248 | $594 | $346 |
| Groceries | $213 | $260 | $47 |
| Restaurant Meal | $9 | $13 | $4 |
| Transit Pass | $21 | $71 | $50 |
| Utilities | $51 | $79 | $28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ankara | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $505/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $797/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,031/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ankara | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,483/mo | +$983 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,311/mo | +$1,311 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,967/mo | +$1,967 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ankara vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 40% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Ankara's COL+Rent Index of 21.2 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmö — giving Ankara a $379/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,548 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ankara ($213/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $9 vs $13 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.