Numbeo has released its 2025 Global Cost of Living Index, comparing the prices of goods, services, and rent across 143 countries using New York as the benchmark. According to the report, Turkey ranks 76th with a score of 27.0, placing it almost exactly in the middle of the global list.
At first glance, this positioning suggests that Turkey is neither exceptionally expensive nor exceptionally cheap, especially when compared with major developed economies.
Countries like Switzerland and Singapore continue to dominate the top of the ranking, while countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh remain among the most affordable.
How Living Costs Are Measured
Numbeo evaluates each country by comparing its price levels directly with New York.
If a country receives a score of 80, it means prices there are 20% lower than New York’s.
This index includes everyday expenses like groceries, transportation, dining, services, and housing — offering one of the world’s most comprehensive snapshots of affordability.
The World’s Most Expensive Countries
At the top of the list sits the Cayman Islands, scoring 94.3. Its economy is built on offshore finance, high-end tourism, and a luxury real estate market that attracts wealthy investors.
Following closely behind are:
- Switzerland (82.3)
- Singapore (80.9)
These countries feature advanced economies, high wages, and extremely expensive housing, all of which push their cost-of-living scores upward.
Much of Europe also appears in the top 20, including Iceland, Ireland, and Norway — all known for high living standards paired with high consumer prices.
The World’s Most Affordable Countries
At the bottom of the index are:
- Pakistan (11.3)
- Libya (11.3)
- Afghanistan (11.6)
Most South Asian countries, including India and Bangladesh, offer living costs around one-eighth of New York’s, largely due to lower wages, large labor forces, and lower service costs.
Where Does Turkey Rank?
Turkey ranks 76th with a score of 27.0, placing it near the global average. According to international comparisons, the country does not stand out as unusually expensive.However, this ranking tells only part of the story.
A Closer Look: Why Turkey’s Mid-Rank Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
At first glance, Turkey’s ranking looks perfectly reasonable — not too expensive, not too cheap. But when you factor in income levels, the whole picture shifts.
Purchasing Power Is the Real Challenge
New York is extremely expensive, yes — but its incomes are also extremely high.
Turkey, on the other hand, has:
- Much lower price levels
- But also much lower salaries, often disproportionately lower than the price gap
This creates a serious purchasing power disparity.
In daily life, this means:
A product that might look “cheap” by global standards can still feel expensive for the average Turkish household, especially given that wages have not kept up with living costs in recent years. Housing, food, and services can therefore take up a much larger share of income compared to wealthier countries.
The Bottom Line
Turkey’s 76th place ranking reflects international price comparisons, not the lived financial comfort of its residents. Once income, savings capacity, and wage growth are considered, the reality becomes clearer:
Turkey’s cost-of-living challenge is more about purchasing power than prices themselves.
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