Cities
Nomad city comparison
Dubai vs Istanbul
UAE · Middle East · expensive · Türkiye · Europe / Asia · budget
🏆 Istanbul wins on price.
Nomad Score comparison
🏆 Istanbul scores higher
Nomad Score
56/ 100
C
C — Mediocre
Cost · 30%36.27777777777778
Productivity · 25%49
Sustainability · 20%75
Lifestyle · 15%55
Tax · 10%100
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
70/ 100
B
B — Solid
Cost · 30%82.73277777777778
Productivity · 25%73
Sustainability · 20%56
Lifestyle · 15%70
Tax · 10%55
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
| Sub-score | Dubai | Istanbul | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 36.27777777777778 | 82.73277777777778 | 46.455000000000005 |
| Productivity | 49 | 73 | 24 |
| Sustainability | 75 | 56 | 19 |
| Lifestyle | 55 | 70 | 15 |
| Tax | 100 | 55 | 45 |
| Total | 56 C | 70 B | 14 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Dubai | Istanbul | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $2,739 | $869 | 68% |
| Long-term lease | $1,869 | $572 | 69% |
| Food — local | $483 | $322 | 33% |
| Food — Western | $1,101 | $683 | 38% |
| Coworking (monthly) | $322 | $148 | 54% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $4.09 | $2.37 | 42% |
| Mobile data / SIM (monthly) | $35 | $14 | 60% |
| Gym — chain (monthly) | $95 | $28 | 71% |
| Gym — boutique (monthly) | $240 | $75 | 69% |
| Laundry per load | $4.00 | $1.40 | 65% |
| Transit pass (monthly) | $96 | $39.62 | 59% |
| Tourist visa | — | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | $600 | — | ≈ |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $1.45 | $0.73 | 50% |
Dubai
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Istanbul
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