Cost of Living: Turkey vs Sweden
Turkey is 37% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Turkey wins on affordability
Turkey is roughly 37% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $713 per month, or about $8,556 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Turkey | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $712 | $1,315 | Turkey 46% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,052 | $1,765 | Turkey 40% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,222 | $1,999 | Turkey 39% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Turkey | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $555 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $365 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $250 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $10 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $27 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $70 | $105 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Turkey and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Turkey | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $24,512 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $36,767 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $49,023 | $78,153 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Turkey
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Turkey only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Turkey vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Turkey
Net take-home pay calculator for Turkey.
Salary After Tax in Sweden
Net take-home pay calculator for Sweden.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Turkey vs Sweden
Is Turkey cheaper than Sweden?
Turkey is 37% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 27.6 for Turkey vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $1,107/month in Turkey.
What is the monthly budget difference between Turkey and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,052 in Turkey versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $713/month (40%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,222 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Turkey vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $555/month in Turkey and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $365 in Turkey and $825 in Sweden. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Turkey to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Turkey, you'd need roughly $119,565 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Turkey on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $47,045 net in Turkey. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $250 in Turkey vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $10 in Turkey vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.