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Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Ankara vs Izmir

Ankara vs Izmir

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Ankara 5% cheaper Ankara +45 Mbps Moderate / Moderate
Ankara
Ankara
inlovew photography/Unsplash
Izmir
Izmir
arman behnoush/Unsplash
Nomad Cost

$1,488

Ankara

$1,559

Izmir

Internet

56

Mbps

11

Mbps

Safety

Moderate

Ankara

Moderate

Izmir

Air Quality

5/5

Ankara

5/5

Izmir

Healthcare

Moderate

Ankara

Moderate

Izmir

Population

4.6m

Ankara

2.8m

Izmir

Ankara and Izmir are both in Turkey, making this one of the most common comparisons for digital nomads planning a base in the region. This guide breaks down the key differences across cost, internet, safety, weather, and quality of life.

Cost of Living

Ankara has a modest cost advantage at $1488/mo versus Izmir's $1559/mo, a 5% difference that adds up over a longer stay.

For families, Ankara costs $1134.675259033381/mo compared to Izmir's $1046.884350360644/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Ankara leads on internet connectivity at 56 Mbps (ranked #125 globally) versus Izmir's 11 Mbps (#0). The speed gap is notable for video-heavy remote work.

Quality of Life

Both Ankara and Izmir share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Ankara and Izmir.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Ankara is June (around 32 degrees, 0mm rain, score 437), while Izmir peaks in April (25 degrees, 0mm rain, score 445). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

AnkaraIzmir
Nomad$1,488/mo$1,559/mo
Expat$709/mo$703/mo
Local$324/mo$299/mo
Family$1,135/mo$1,047/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

AnkaraIzmir
City Speed
56 Mbps#125
11 Mbps
Country Speed0 Mbps0 Mbps

Environment & Health

AnkaraIzmir
Air Quality Score5/55/5
PollutionHighHigh
ClimateHighHigh
Humidity3647

Quality of Life

AnkaraIzmir
SafetyModerateModerate
HealthcareModerateModerate

Monthly Weather Comparison

Ankara
Izmir
Jan
3°
0mm364
9°
0mm393
Feb
9°
0mm387
14°
0mm405
Mar
10°
0mm383
16°
0mm405
Apr
20°
0mm417
25°
0mm445
May
20°
1mm404
26°
0mm445
Jun
32°
0mm437
38°
0mm395
Jul
32°
0mm437
40°
0mm395
Aug
31°
0mm417
38°
0mm395
Sep
27°
0mm427
31°
0mm445
Oct
16°
0mm397
23°
0mm445
Nov
11°
0mm387
17°
0mm405
Dec
5°
0mm364
13°
1mm381

Who Should Choose Ankara?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $1488
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1134.675259033381/mo for families
  • Major city energy with 4.6m residents
  • Peak season in June — 32 degrees, score 437

Who Should Choose Izmir?

  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1046.884350360644/mo for families
  • Major city energy with 2.8m residents
  • Peak season in April — 25 degrees, score 445

Overall Verdict

Overall, Ankara edges ahead for most digital nomads — at $1488/mo it runs 5% cheaper than Izmir's $1559/mo, with 56 Mbps internet for reliable remote work.

Granular Price Comparison

Ankara Izmir
ItemAnkaraIzmirDiff
🍽️Restaurants8 items
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$3.76$3.76
=
Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$16.1$18.78
14%
McMeal or equivalent combo$3.89$3.76
3%
Cappuccino (regular)$1.68$1.65
2%
Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.28$1.88
18%
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.68$2.25
16%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.74$0.62
16%
Water (0.33L)$0.31$0.24
23%
🛒Markets19 items
Milk (1L)$0.96$0.91
5%
White bread (500g)$0.45$0.37
18%
White rice (1kg)$1.29$1.27
2%
Eggs (12)$1.68$1.55
8%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.89$4
3%
Beef round (1kg)$8.54$8.77
3%
Local cheese (1kg)$4.95$5.35
7%
Apples (1kg)$0.75$0.78
4%
Bananas (1kg)$1.55$1.32
15%
Oranges (1kg)$0.74$0.78
5%
Tomatoes (1kg)$0.88$1.08
19%
Potatoes (1kg)$0.55$0.62
11%
Onions (1kg)$0.44$0.44
=
Lettuce (1 head)$0.65$0.62
5%
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.24$0.33
27%
Wine, mid-range bottle$6.82$6.44
6%
Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$1.53$1.45
5%
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.07$2
3%
Cigarettes (pack of 20)$1.61$1.61
=
🚌Transport8 items
One-way local transport ticket$0.38$0.38
=
Monthly transport pass$18.73$18.72
=
Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.54$0.54
=
Taxi per 1km$0.32$0.48
33%
Taxi 1hr waiting$2.68$3.22
17%
Gasoline (1L)$1.4$1.31
6%
Volkswagen Golf (new)$34,882.66$35,472.98
2%
Toyota Corolla (new)$31,741.92$28,931.08
9%
⚡Utilities3 items
Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$51$62.01
18%
Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$8.71$8.06
7%
Mobile prepaid per minute$0.05$0.07
29%
🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items
Fitness club, monthly$19.94$17.77
11%
Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$10.79$11.91
9%
Cinema, 1 ticket$2.68$2.68
=
👶Childcare2 items
Preschool, full-day private/mo$199.61$163.77
18%
International primary school/yr$4,328.92$3,299.52
24%
👗Clothing4 items
Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$35.5$28.85
19%
Summer dress (chain store)$26.72$26.6
=
Nike running shoes (mid-range)$67.38$63.6
6%
Men's leather business shoes$53.87$47.14
12%
🏠Rent4 items
1-bedroom apartment, city centre$283.17$270.39
5%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$154.32$163.04
5%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre$487.81$434.01
11%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$340.4$281.05
17%
🏗️Buy2 items
Price per m², city centre$755.37$1,047.2
28%
Price per m², outside centre$499.44$625.2
20%
💰Finance2 items
Average monthly net salary$371.38$308.3
17%
Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$20.98$20.7
1%

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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