Athens vs Ankara
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~45% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Athens
Greece
COL+Rent
38.8
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
57.1
Restaurant
68.6
Ankara
Turkey
COL+Rent
21.2
Rent Index
9
Groceries
33.2
Restaurant
29.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Athens | Ankara | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $675 | $377 | +$298 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $488 | $248 | +$240 |
| Groceries | $353 | $213 | +$140 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $9 | +$13 |
| Transit Pass | $34 | $21 | +$13 |
| Utilities | $181 | $51 | +$130 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Athens | Ankara |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,038/mo | $505/mo |
| Typical | $1,573/mo | $797/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,075/mo | $1,031/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Athens | ≈ in Ankara | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $820/mo | -$680 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,093/mo | -$907 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,639/mo | -$1,361 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Athens vs Ankara for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 45% more affordable than Athens when combining rent and daily living costs. Athens's COL+Rent Index of 38.8 vs Ankara's 21.2 (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 Athens costs $675/month versus $377/month in Ankara — 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 Athens ($353/mo) vs Ankara ($213/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $9 show Ankara offers cheaper dining. 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.