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Mohamed Oun
Istanbul
#108 of 124
Europe

Istanbul

Turkey

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Istanbul compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Istanbul is 69% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Istanbul compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$34,560
-$239K (-87%) vs San Francisco
Based on 220 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$21,358
-$152K (-88%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 38%

Community Insights

New
6.8/10

Istanbul offers a polarizing experience for software engineers, heavily dependent on your income source. For remote workers earning foreign currency, it is a paradise of high purchasing power, incredible food, and rich culture, recently bolstered by a new Digital Nomad Visa. However, for those relying on the local job market, the reality is harsh: salaries are low ($34k median), inflation is rampant, and purchasing power is weak.

Residents frequently complain about the chaotic traffic and the looming threat of a major earthquake, which drives some expats away. Conversely, the city's energy, history, and social scene are cited as unmatched by those who fall in love with it. It is a city of extremes—beautiful yet chaotic, affordable (for some) yet economically unstable.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Community Events

Top 19%

#23

of 124 cities

17 events on luma

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Top 20%

#25

of 124 cities

75/100 weather score

Current value

Cost of Living

Top 25%

#31

of 124 cities

35/100

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Istanbul compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$2,419 / m²
76% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Istanbul to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
60% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Istanbul

Udemy logo
Udemy
EPAM Systems logo
EPAM Systems
Trendyol logo
Trendyol
High purchasing power for remote workers earning USD/EUR due to currency devaluation.
  • Rich cultural heritage and history, offering a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
  • Incredible food scene, from street food to high-end dining, at affordable prices.
  • Vibrant social life and nightlife, with a city that feels alive 24/7.
  • Scenic beauty, particularly the Bosphorus views and ferry rides between continents.
  • Extremely cat-friendly city where street animals are communally cared for.
  • New Digital Nomad Visa (launched 2024) simplifies residency for eligible remote workers.
  • Decent public transportation network (metro, tram, ferries) in central districts.

    • The Bad

    • Economic instability and hyperinflation make financial planning difficult for those paid in Lira.
    • Low local salaries for software engineers compared to Western Europe or the US ($34k median).
    • Notorious traffic congestion; commuting can take hours and is a major stressor.
    • Significant earthquake risk with aging infrastructure causing anxiety for long-term residents.
    • Internet censorship and occasional throttling; a VPN is often considered essential.
    • Crowds and noise pollution can be overwhelming in popular districts.
    • High taxes on electronics and imported goods (phones, laptops, cars).
    • Language barrier in bureaucracy and daily life outside of tech/tourist bubbles.

    Moving Here

    Moderate

    The introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 has significantly eased the process for remote workers (requires ~$3k/month income). For others, obtaining a work permit is bureaucratic and usually requires company sponsorship. The language barrier is significant in government offices and daily services, making a local fixer or Turkish skills valuable. The expat community is large and active, but integration into local circles takes effort.

    Who Is This City For?

    Digital nomads and remote senior engineers earning USD/EUR who crave a high-energy, culturally rich lifestyle. History buffs and foodies who can tolerate chaos. People who should avoid it: Junior developers relying on local wages, those seeking a quiet/organized life, and anyone with severe anxiety about natural disasters.

    Updated 1/20/2026

    Weather7.5/10-14% vs San Francisco
    Safety52+31%
    Pollution67+37%
    Events17-78%
    7.5/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    18°C(same as San Francisco)
    Average Low
    12°C(same as San Francisco)
    Sunshine Hours
    2,218h/yr-844h/yr(-28%)
    Hottest Month High
    29°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
    Coldest Month Low
    4°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
    Rainy Days
    69/yr+20/yr(+42%)

    Community & Quality

    Istanbul community pulse

    Istanbul has 17 Luma events listed.

    78% fewer events than San Francisco.

    Safety Index

    Middle of the pack

    #72

    of 124 cities

    51.9/100

    Current value

    Home Affordability

    Middle of the pack

    #74

    of 124 cities

    ≈9.1 yrs to buy 80m²

    Current value

    Pollution Score

    Bottom 24%

    #96

    of 124 cities

    67.3/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Tax Rate

    Bottom 16%

    #106

    of 124 cities

    38%

    Current value (lower is better)

    Net Income

    Bottom 14%

    #108

    of 124 cities

    $21,358/yr

    Current value

    Purchasing Power

    Bottom 14%

    #108

    of 124 cities

    SWE Affordability
    9.1 years
    4.5 years longer than San Francisco
    Muggy Days
    33/yr+32/yr(+16200%)
    Cloud Cover
    37%(vs 34% in San Francisco)