Istanbul vs Taipei: cost of living for digital nomads

Istanbul, Turkey and Taipei, Taiwan, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Istanbul is about 22% cheaper than Taipei for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $1,800).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Istanbul against $800 in Taipei.
  • Taipei scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Taipei: 150 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
  • Istanbul is mediterranean; Taipei is tropical.

Istanbul wins 5 of the measured lines; Taipei wins 2.

LineIstanbulTaipei
Monthly total (USD)$1,400$1,800
Rent$650$800
Food$380$450
Transport$45$70
Coworking$110$150
Safety (out of 10)7/109/10
Internet (Mbps)60150
Climatemediterraneantropical
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)8/108/10

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Compare Taipei with

Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.