IPA data released: Cost of living in Istanbul hits record high

According to data from the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA), the average cost of living for a family of four in Istanbul rose to 87,485 liras as of March 2025. The cost of living increased by 2.38 percent compared to the previous month and by 51.95 percent compared to the same month last year.

The March 2025 data from the IPA's "Cost of Living in Istanbul" study has been released.

Accordingly, the cost of living in Istanbul increased by 2,032 liras compared to February. The average cost of living, which was 57,573 liras in March of last year, reached 87,485 liras in the same period this year.

The monthly change rate for the last three months was 7.10 percent in January, 3.10 percent in February, and 2.38 percent in March, respectively. On an annual basis, the cost of living increase was 56.21 percent in January, 54.47 percent in February, and 51.95 percent in March.

DIAPERS AND SUNFLOWER OIL AT THE TOP

When basic consumer goods are examined, the highest price increases on an annual basis were seen in shaving supplies at 83.25 percent, sunflower oil at 58.13 percent, and baby diapers at 55.88 percent. The increase in diaper prices reached 13.97 percent in March.

In food products, egg prices increased by 48.59 percent, bread by 44.59 percent, milk by 31.20 percent, and meat and ground meat by 27.01 percent on an annual basis. The most notable increases on a monthly basis were recorded in eggs at 11.33 percent, chicken meat at 5.32 percent, and granulated sugar at 4.97 percent.

TRIPLED SINCE 2023

According to reports prepared by the IPA since 2023, the upward trend in the cost of living in Istanbul continues. The average cost of living, which was 31,788 liras in March 2023, has nearly tripled in two years to reach 87,485 liras.

In Istanbul, price increases, particularly in housing, food, personal care products, and children's needs, are making life in the city more costly with each passing day.