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The cost of living in Istanbul has reached ₺96,599 ($2.37K) monthly for a family of four, representing a 45.15% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) on Monday.
The July 2025 figures show living expenses in Türkiye's largest city rose 3.35% from the previous month, adding ₺3,134 to household budgets compared to June, the IPA reported.
The latest data reveals that household budgets in Istanbul are increasingly strained by rising prices across key expense categories. The agency noted that price increases in rent, food, transportation and energy sectors have made living in the city progressively more expensive each month.
The monthly increase of more than ₺3,000 ($73.7) represents a significant burden for families as the total living cost approaches the psychological threshold of ₺100,000 per month.
The annual comparison shows the dramatic impact of inflation on Istanbul residents. Living costs in July 2025 were 45.15% higher than in July 2024, when the monthly expense for a four-person family was ₺66,550 ($1,636).
This represents an increase of ₺30,049 ($739) in absolute terms over the 12 months, highlighting the accelerating pace of cost increases in the metropolitan area.
Data from the Istanbul Planning Agency shows the steady progression of living costs over recent years. In January 2023, the monthly cost for a family of four was ₺29,429 ($723), meaning expenses have more than tripled over the past 30 months.
Key milestones in the cost progression include:
The agency's data reveals varying monthly inflation rates throughout 2025. The highest monthly increases occurred in January (7.10%) and July (3.35%), while the lowest increases were recorded in May (1.88%) and June (1.90%).
Monthly change rates for 2025:
The Istanbul Planning Agency's findings underscore the mounting financial pressure on families residing in the city.
The data shows that living expenses have consistently outpaced wage growth, creating affordability challenges for residents across income levels.
The agency tracks comprehensive living costs, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, education and other essential expenses, to provide a realistic picture of household budget requirements in Istanbul.
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