Ankara vs Riyadh
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~32% 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
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
31.3
Rent Index
15.1
Groceries
44.5
Restaurant
37.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ankara | Riyadh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $377 | $566 | $189 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $248 | $398 | $150 |
| Groceries | $213 | $313 | $100 |
| Restaurant Meal | $9 | $14 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $21 | $33 | $12 |
| Utilities | $51 | $83 | $32 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ankara | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $505/mo | $789/mo |
| Typical | $797/mo | $1,205/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,031/mo | $1,563/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ankara | ≈ in Riyadh | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,215/mo | +$715 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,953/mo | +$953 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,429/mo | +$1,429 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ankara vs Riyadh for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 32% more affordable than Riyadh when combining rent and daily living costs. Ankara's COL+Rent Index of 21.2 vs Riyadh's 31.3 (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 $566/month in Riyadh — giving Ankara a $189/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ankara ($213/mo) vs Riyadh ($313/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $9 vs $14 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.