Best cities to live in Turkey (2026)
1 city ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
❓ Living in Turkey — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Turkey?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Istanbul ranks #1 in Turkey with a score of 54/100, and city-centre rent from around $1070/month.
What is the safest city in Turkey?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Istanbul is the safest city in Turkey in our database, with a rate of 2.6 per 100,000 people.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Turkey?▾
Turkey offers the Turkey Short-Term Residence Permit (easy process). Duration: 1–2 years (renewable). Key requirement: Proof of accommodation and financial means. One of the easiest residence permits in Europe.. The process is relatively easy. Check individual city pages for full details.
Also considering nearby countries?