Istanbul, Turkey
In Istanbul, $10 covers a standard mall cinema ticket, a fast-food value combo meal, or a Bosphorus ferry crossing with a simit and çay to spare — nearly five times over.
Index score 218 (rank 9 of 20) — the full basket totals $22.87, so $10 covers about 43.7% of it.
Share this city
The basket
| Item | Istanbul | NYC | vs NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| White bread (500g) | $0.82 | $4.61 | -82% |
| Milk (1L) | $1.28 | $1.44 | -11% |
| Eggs (12) | $2.52 | $5.90 | -57% |
| Bananas (1kg) | $2.27 | $2.10 | +8% |
| Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.60 | $2.50 | -76% |
| Domestic beer (0.5L, store) | $2.36 | $3.21 | -26% |
| Cappuccino (cafe) | $4.08 | $6.09 | -33% |
| White rice (1kg) | $2.49 | $6.64 | -63% |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $5.56 | $14.41 | -61% |
| Public transit, one-way ticket | $0.89 | $3.00 | -70% |
| Total | $22.87 | $49.90 |
What $10 actually buys here
- A cinema ticket at a standard mall multiplex~$8.48
Regular showtime pricing.
- A fast-food combo meal~$9.48
A Big Mac-style value menu.
- A Bosphorus ferry crossing, plus simit and çay~$2.06
The classic commuter and sightseer combo.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic grocery basket cost in Istanbul?
$22.87 for a basic grocery basket in Istanbul — less than half of New York City's $49.90.
What can $10 buy in Istanbul?
A standard showtime cinema ticket at a mall multiplex for $8.48, or a fast-food combo meal for $9.48.
Is Istanbul cheaper than New York for everyday expenses?
Yes — Istanbul's index score of 218 means a dollar goes roughly 2.2 times as far as in New York.
How much is a Bosphorus ferry crossing in Istanbul?
About $2.06 including a simit and çay — the classic commuter-and-sightseer combo.
What's the cheapest item in Istanbul's basket?
Bottled water at $0.60, while chicken breast is the priciest item at $5.56 per kilo.
Enjoyed this? Share it
Keep exploring
In Mumbai, $10 covers a round-trip ferry to Elephanta Island with cave-temple entry, a full street-food crawl of vada pav and pav bhaji, or a Bollywood movie with popcorn.
In New York City, $10 covers a halal-cart chicken-and-rice platter, three subway or bus rides, or a pay-what-you-wish museum ticket — the baseline this whole index is measured against.
In Warsaw, $10 covers a pierogi plate at a traditional milk bar with money to spare, a zapiekanka street snack from Nowy Świat, or reduced-rate admission to the POLIN Museum.
Prices are researched estimates (July 2026), not live data — treat them as illustrative, not exact. See the methodology page for details.