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Samsun · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Turkey · Asia

Cost of Living in Samsun, Turkey
2026 Expat Guide

very affordable 63% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Expats and digital nomads choosing Samsun, Turkey can expect a very affordable cost of living (index 32.6, vs NYC's baseline of 100). Central apartment rent averages ~$248/month; dining out starts at ~$4 per meal.

With a population of 394,000, Samsun is a mid-size city in Turkey.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇹🇷 Turkey Pop. 394k Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$248
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$3,717
net/month
Cheap Meal
$4
restaurant
Groceries
$137
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Samsun 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
$4
Monthly Groceries
$137
Monthly Transport
$39
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$248Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$161Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$4Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$137Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$39Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
7%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Turkey

Avg net salary
$3,717
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$248
Internet speed
59 Mbps
Safety index
4.8
HDI
0.855
Life expectancy
80.1 yrs
Purchasing power
28.6

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$248Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$161Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$248Turkey (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$4Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$123-course
Monthly groceries (single)$137Single person estimate
Country food basketN/ATurkey (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$39Public transport avg.

City Insight

In Samsun, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($248/mo) absorbs approximately 7% of the average net salary ($3,717/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
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Monthly Budget Estimates

Samsun · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Samsun cost of living

Is Samsun good for digital nomads on a budget?
Samsun is one of the more affordable cities for digital nomads, with a CoL Index of 32.6 (roughly 67% below New York City). A comfortable remote-work lifestyle — including a private apartment, fast internet, and regular dining out — typically costs $326–$456/month, making it highly competitive on a USD or EUR income.
What is the cheapest area to live in Samsun?
Outside the city centre, a 1-bedroom apartment in Samsun averages $161/month, compared to $248/month in central areas. Outer districts and emerging neighbourhoods can be even cheaper — local expat forums are the best source for current listings.
How does Samsun compare to other affordable cities?
With a CoL Index of 32.6, Samsun sits comfortably in the affordable tier (below 60 on the NYC=100 scale). It compares favourably with similar budget destinations in the region, offering a good balance of infrastructure and low cost that appeals to long-stay travellers and expats alike.
How does Samsun compare to New York City for cost of living?
Samsun is approximately 67% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 32.6 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 88% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Samsun?
The average net monthly salary in Samsun is approximately $3,717, equivalent to around $44,604/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Samsun

Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.