Rome vs Ankara
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~56% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Ankara
Turkey
COL+Rent
21.2
Rent Index
9
Groceries
33.2
Restaurant
29.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Ankara | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $377 | +$1,049 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $248 | +$752 |
| Groceries | $329 | $213 | +$116 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $9 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $21 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $211 | $51 | +$160 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Ankara |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $505/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $797/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $1,031/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Ankara | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $654/mo | -$846 |
| $2,000/mo | $872/mo | -$1,128 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,309/mo | -$1,691 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Ankara for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 56% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 vs Ankara's 21.2 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Rome costs $1,426/month versus $377/month in Ankara — giving Ankara a $1,049/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,588 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Ankara ($213/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.