Cost of Living in Turkey for Students
Living costs depend more on your city than on anything else. In 2026, expect roughly 700 to 1,500 US dollars a month in Istanbul and much less in smaller university cities.
By Burak Ünal, Director of University Admissions · · Updated
Figures are typical values for the current academic year, checked against the official sources listed at the end. How we research and update our guides
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Monthly budget by city
Istanbul is the most expensive place to study. Bahçeşehir University estimates about 970 to 1,470 dollars a month with a dormitory, and we see careful students manage on about 700 dollars outside the central districts. Smaller university cities are much cheaper: Isparta's university estimates 20,000 to 30,000 TL a month in total for 2026, about 420 to 620 dollars. Ankara and Izmir sit in between; we estimate 550 to 1,000 dollars a month for most students.
Dollar equivalents use about 48 Turkish lira per US dollar (September 2026); the lira moves, so recheck before you budget.
Accommodation
Housing is the largest cost. Özyeğin University in Istanbul lists its dormitories at 83,600 to 320,000 TL for the nine-month academic year, about 1,750 to 6,700 dollars, depending on the room. In Isparta, private student residences cost 3,500 to 7,500 TL a month. Shared flats are usually cheaper than private dormitories in Istanbul but require a contract, a deposit and often a notarised lease.
Food, transport and daily costs
University canteens serve subsidised meals and cooking at home keeps food costs down. Student transport cards make buses, trams and the metro cheap: Özyeğin estimates about 13 dollars a month in Istanbul. Add a phone plan, books and social life; Özyeğin puts personal expenses at about 90 to 135 dollars a month.
Health insurance and your residence permit
Your residence permit requires valid health insurance. If you register for the public General Health Insurance (GSS) in writing within three months of your first enrolment, the premium is 1,321.20 TL a month in 2026; miss the three months and you cannot join GSS for the rest of your studies, so you need private insurance instead. The residence permit card itself costs 964 TL in 2026.
Budgeting with a moving lira
Prices in lira rise during the year, while many tuition fees and savings are in dollars or euros. Keep your budget in a stable currency, add a 15 to 20% margin, and recheck rents shortly before you arrive.
Ways to save
You can keep costs down by:
- Choosing a university outside central Istanbul, or a city like Ankara, Izmir, Eskişehir or Konya
- Booking a university dormitory early
- Registering for General Health Insurance within your first three months
- Using a student transport card and university canteens
Cost of Living in Turkey for Students: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Turkey as a student in 2026?
About 700 to 1,500 US dollars a month in Istanbul, roughly 550 to 1,000 dollars in Ankara and Izmir, and about 20,000 to 30,000 TL (420 to 620 dollars) in smaller cities such as Isparta, excluding tuition.
How much is a student dormitory in Istanbul?
Özyeğin University lists 83,600 to 320,000 TL for the nine-month academic year in 2026, depending on the room; private dormitories in central districts cost more.
How much is health insurance for international students?
General Health Insurance (GSS) costs 1,321.20 TL a month in 2026 if you apply within three months of your first enrolment; otherwise you need private health insurance.
Can I work to cover my living costs?
Not in your first year of a bachelor's degree, and only with a work permit afterwards, so plan to cover your costs from savings, family support or a scholarship. See our guide to working while studying.
Official sources
Rules, fees and quotas are set by these institutions and change every year. Check them, or ask us, before you rely on a figure.
Further reading
Related
Burak Ünal is the Director of University Admissions at Turquoise Education, where he is responsible for university admission processes for international students. Before Turquoise Education he worked at Oliver Wyman, the New York based management consulting firm, as a Financial Services Consultant, with consulting projects in Turkey, Italy and Greece and business development work across the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. He holds a master's degree in finance from the London School of Economics and a bachelor's degree in management from Bogazici University.
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