The Cost of Living in Antalya: What Expats Need to Know

Antalya is a vibrant and lively Turkish province by the Mediterranean Sea. It has clean public beaches for pleasant strolls. Historic sites dating back to Ancient Rome stand side-by-side with Turkish culture and modern infrastructure. If you are an expat with an income in any foreign currency, you will be able to afford quite a comfortable lifestyle in Antalya. Read on to discover the average cost of living in Antalya. Prices are based on the TRY exchange rate to USD in June 2023.

• Real Estate in Antalya: Local Features
• Renting a Flat in Antalya: Areas, Prices, and Utility Bills
• Monthly Food Expenses: Eating In and Out
• Prices for Clothing and Services
• Transport Expenses
• Mobile Service and the Internet
• Healthcare and Meds
• Entertainment
• How to Get a Turkish Residence Permit in 2023

Real Estate in Antalya: Local Features 

As in other parts of Turkey, residential real estate in Antalya is varied. You can find everything from simple low-rise buildings to luxury residential complexes with fabulous amenities.

The latter category is more modern with well-designed furnished apartments heated by air conditioning systems in winter. However, rents for these apartments are often twice as high as the rent in simpler buildings and the rent is often tied to the USD exchange rate.

Apartments in standard buildings often come with simple design and old-fashioned or even no furniture as the Turkish often prefer to move in with their own items. Some of these flats have small stoves with chimneys coming out of the windows to warm the place in winter. On the bright side, renting apartments in these simpler buildings is much cheaper. Moreover, utility bills are far more affordable if there are no swimming pools, gyms and other private facilities.

Whichever type of housing you choose, remember that rent will be up to twice as high during the summer if your building is in the touristy part of the province. You’ll also need to pay a security deposit to the owner before moving in. If you decide to move out and the flat is in good condition, you’ll get the deposit back.

Renting a Flat in Antalya: Areas, Prices, and Utility Bills

There are only four seashore areas in Antalya: Aksu, Muratpaşa, Konyaaltı, and Lara (a smaller part of Muratpaşa). Aksu offers the cheapest options for rent as this district is quite far from the centre of Antalya and is close to the airport.

Muratpaşa is the heart of Antalya and it never sleeps. Muratpaşa is home to the Kaleiçi historical quarter where you can see the Hadrian's Gate, lots of hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. Rents are higher than average here, but it is possible to find cheaper options if you look into older buildings.

There is also a luxury area in Muratpaşa called Lara, which is often referred to as a separate district of Antalya. Lara is popular with expats and the residential complexes here boast private pools, gyms, and amenities for children.

Finally, Konyaaltı is a fairly new and prestigious area offering both condos and apartments in traditional Turkish buildings for expats. The seashore has promenades with cycle lanes running along them, and local beaches have the international Blue Flag award which confirms that they are safe and clean.

You can rent a one-bedroom apartment near the sea in a high-end part of Konyaaltı or Muratpaşa for an average of $650 (15,000 TRY). Rents in Lara can reach $950 for a flat of 45 to 50 square metres (22,000 TRY).

A small apartment with one bedroom in Aksu costs around $300 to $430 (7,000 to 10,000 TRY) per month.

You must also pay for utilities. Depending on the facilities in your home, utility bills can range from $25 to $110 a month (600 to 2500 TRY). During a heatwave or the cold winter months the utility bills will be higher, as you will need to use the AC or heating more often.

You can find an apartment with a long-term lease on Airbnb, but you’ll usually pay more for this option. Experienced expats tend to search for housing through groups and chats of fellow expats on social media or use Google Translate to find options on the Sahibinden housing website. Many local real estate agents speak English and use messengers, so you can send them a message via WhatsApp to learn more about a selected property.

Monthly Food Expenses: Eating In and Out

Turkish fruit, vegetables, bread and dairy are very tasty, cheap, and of a very high quality. The Turkish government subsidises agricultural production, so you can buy these items at any market or supermarket for a dollar or less.

• A loaf of bread is $0.24 (5.60 TRY).
• 1.5 litres of drinking water is $0.24 (5.60 TRY).
• 1 kg of apples is $0.77 (18 TRY).
• 1 kg of bananas is $1.07 (25 TRY).
• 1 kg of oranges is $0.66 (15 TRY).
• 1 kg of tomatoes is $0.88 (20.50 TRY).
• 1 kg of potatoes is $0.48 (11 TRY).
• 1 litre of milk is $1 (23.50 TRY).

Cereals, eggs, cheese, chicken, oil, and beer cost a bit more.

• 1 kg of white rice is $1.44 (33.60 TRY).
• 1 litre of oil is $1.61 (37.60 TRY).
• 0.5 litre of local beer is $1.59 (37.11 TRY).
• A dozen large eggs is $2.18 (51 TRY).
• 1 kg of chicken is $4.11 (96 TRY).

Red meat, fish, and wine are more expensive in Turkey than any other food items.

• 1 kg of beef is $13.7 (320 TRY).
• 1 kg of fresh fish is $6.85 (160 TRY).
• 1 bottle of red wine is $8.31 (194 TRY).

There are plenty of places popular with the locals where you can grab a bite to eat on a low budget. For instance, a chicken dürüm or a balık ekmek (a sandwich with fried fish and vegetables) cost $1.40 (33 TRY) in street cafes. You can enjoy some fried aubergines for $1 (23 TRY), drink coffee for $0.50 (12 TRY), and try local pastries with sesame seeds for $0.20 (5 TRY).

The more luxurious the area, the more expensive it is to eat out there. A two-course lunch with beverages at a cafe in the business district will cost you $5.23 (122 TRY). You can have a cappuccino at a cafe in the city centre for $1.20 (28 TRY), and a typical meal at McDonald's costs $5.45 (127 TRY).

A cocktail at a bar on the main street of Lara is $5.14 (120 TRY), a light dinner for two at a European restaurant will cost $22 (515 TRY), while a full dinner with wine and desserts is no less than $38 (900 TRY).

Vegetarians can spend much less on food in Antalya. Total monthly food expenses can come to about $300 (7000 TRY), if you have two or three lunches a week. Average monthly food expenses for non-vegetarians range from $400 to $600 (9300 to 14,000 TRY), especially if you do not cook at home every day, and eat out in restaurants and pubs.

Prices for Clothing and Services

Antalya has about a dozen large shopping malls. The most popular are 5M Migros, ÖzdilekPark and TerraCity, and each has over 100 brands.

A pair of Levi's jeans costs $77 in Antalya (1800 TRY). A pair of Stradivarius jeans is more affordable and costs $38 (900 TRY). A summer dress from Zara or Mango would cost you $40 (950 TRY) and a pair of summer shoes costs from $40 to $50 (950 to 1200 TRY). If you are looking for something cheaper, check out the local Turkish brand LC Waikiki. For instance, a pair of jeans sells at $10 (235 TRY) and t-shirts cost from $5 (115 TRY).

Many expats prefer to pick up clothes at local markets as you can always haggle here and find some authentic clothes in the local style, which are not sold at the mass-market shops. You can buy a dress at a Turkish bazaar for $10 (235 TRY) and a pair of summer shoes for $12 (280 TRY).

Compared to the most affordable countries of Eastern Europe like Bulgaria or Romania, cleaning services and beauty salons are quite cheap in Turkey. For example,

• a man's haircut costs from $6 (140 TRY);
• a woman's haircut starts at $10 (235 TRY);
• you can have your nails done for $7 (165 TRY);
• cleaning costs from $4 per hour (95 TRY).

Transport Expenses

Antalya is a pedestrian-friendly province with a well-developed road network. So, if you live close to the centre and the beaches, your transport expenses will be very low.

However, you still have to count them in if you plan to stay here long-term. Antalya has a good network of tram and bus routes. There is even a retro tram route called "Nostalgia," which runs through the old city and is popular with tourists. A one-time ticket in Antalya's public transport costs $0.38 (9 TRY), but you can buy a monthly pass for $25 (585 TRY).

Taxis in Antalya are quite affordable, too. The average rate is $0.50 (12 TRY) per kilometre or $3.35 (80 TRY) per hour. You can get from the historical centre of Antalya to Konyaalti in 10 minutes if there is no traffic, but keep in mind that night rates can be twice as high.

If you would like to explore the surroundings or take a trip to the mountains and go hiking, it is better to rent a car. For example, you can rent a Renault Symbol for $40 a day (950 TRY). A litre of petrol costs $1.03 (24 TRY).

Mobile Service and the Internet

There are three mobile service providers in Turkey: TurkCell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone. A basic SIM card costs $10 (235 TRY). If you want to have a package of Internet (16 GB), messages and calls in Turkey, you should pay an extra $8.30 (193 TRY) a month.

You cannot use a local SIM card in a foreign-registered mobile phone for more than four months. Otherwise, it will be blocked. This is due to a local law which prohibits telecom companies from providing mobile services for devices with a foreign IMEI. To avoid this situation, you should either register your mobile phone in Turkey (you can do it while you are getting a residence permit) or buy another phone here.

Residential Internet access costs about $10.30 (240 TRY) a month.

Healthcare and Meds

If you plan to stay in Turkey for less than 90 days, standard tourist medical insurance will be enough to cover any emergencies. You can also pay for a non-emergency health check-up. A 15-minute GP appointment will cost you about $22 (515 TRY) and a simple dental treatment is about $80 (1850 TRY).

However, if you plan to stay in Turkey longer and apply for a residence permit, you must get long-term medical insurance. It costs around $45 (1000 TRY) a month for expats between 36 and 45 years old. This insurance covers 100% of emergency care and 60% of non-emergency treatment and medical supervision.

Medication is quite cheap in Turkey and of a very high quality, thanks to government subsidies. It subsidises the price of medication to help the most economically disadvantaged members of society. For example, a weekly set of meds to relieve cold symptoms costs around $2.14 (50 TRY), and a prescribed antibiotic is about $3 (70 TRY).

Entertainment

Antalya boasts a large, modern dolphinarium with giant aquariums and plenty of landscaped parks. One of them, the Karaalioğlu Park, is located on the picturesque mountain terraces that gradually descend to the sea. 

Antalya has many places worth visiting. For example, the Hıdırlık Tower which was built in the second century BC and served as a tomb for Roman emperors.

The Antalya province features many free public beaches with walking paths and running tracks. Kaleiçi is one of the oldest parts of Antalya which is famous for its ancient and mysterious Greco-Roman past. Here you will find the Yivli Minaret, the symbol of the city. You can take a free ride on a panoramic lift from the minaret to the old harbour.

There are many beautiful natural sights around Antalya, such as the Düden Waterfalls. The Lower Düden Waterfall is on the coast where the Düden River falls into the Mediterranean Sea from a height of 50 metres. Visiting the waterfalls is free-of-charge, but it is better to come here early in the morning to enjoy the grand view in solitude, without crowds of tourists.

The Upper Düden Waterfall is located in the Düden Park. You buy a ticket at the entrance for $0.25 (6 TRY). Some of the trees in this park are over 600 years old.

If you travel to Aksu, you will see the digging sites of the ancient city of Perge. According to the legend, this city was founded by a seer named Calchas after the Trojan War. A ticket to this historical park costs $4.28 (100 TRY).

Two tickets to the cinema in Antalya cost $8.70 (200 TRY). A night at the theatre will cost $13 for two people (300 TRY) and a classical music concert is about $40 (950 TRY). There are also many concert venues in Antalya, which host world-famous artists. Prices for these shows depend on the artist, but the average starting price is $36 (240 TRY) per ticket.

If there is no gym in your condo, you can buy a monthly membership in one of the public fitness clubs for $25 (585 TRY). You can also rent a tennis court for $6.64 per hour (155 TRY).

How to Get a Turkish Residence Permit in 2023

A foreigner can apply for a Turkish temporary residence permit for a period of six months to four years. The simplest route is having a long-term housing lease. You will have to submit a number of documents, including letters of employment confirming you have a job outside Turkey, and a bank statement.

You can also get a residence permit for buying property in Turkey. You must invest over $75,000 in real estate to get a permit in Antalya. Almost any foreigner can buy real estate in Turkey except for citizens of Syria, Armenia, the Republic of Cyprus, North Korea, and Cuba.

The number of rejected applications has increased in recent years, so bear in mind that your application may be turned down.

The Turkish government has also been compiling a list of areas not eligible for granting a residence permit. There are over 1169 entries on that list already. At the time of publication of this article, all areas of Antalya mentioned above are suitable for getting a residence permit. However, you should check the latest updates before starting an application.

In a Nutshell

Despite a surge in prices and inflation, Antalya is still one of the most attractive areas to live in Turkey. Expats from all over the world come here for the Mediterranean climate, high-quality and affordable fruits and vegetables, modern and well-developed infrastructure, and friendly locals. The cost of living in Antalya ranges from $900 to $1000 (21,000 to 23,000 TRY) a month if you rent an apartment in a cheap area and do not eat out very often. If you prefer a more comfortable lifestyle, be prepared to spend $2000 a month (47,000 TRY) to indulge yourself in everything Turkey has to offer.

Cover photo Erik Karits (Unsplash)