Minimum wage life in Istanbul
Have you ever wondered how minimum wage earners manage life in Istanbul,Turkey? In this article, I’ll show where people earning minimum wage live in Istanbul and what a typical week looks like.
All information in this article and more is also included in my YouTube video:
Overview minimum wage life in Istanbul
Life on minimum wage in Istanbul is like a battle for survival. I have the utmost respect for those who manage life on minimum wage in Istanbul.
I will outline minimum wage life in Istanbul along these categories:
- Minimum monthly income to live in Istanbul
- Who can sustain life in Istanbul on minimum wage
- Salary and work
- Neighbourhoods
- Cost of living in Istanbul
- Typical week in Istanbul
1) Minimum monthly income to live in Istanbul
There is a minimum monthly income required to live in Istanbul. I estimate, for a household of two people, at least 1.000 Euros per month is necessary. This is equivalent to around 2 or 2.5 minimum wages. However, this amount fluctuates due to high inflation and currency depreciation in Turkey.
For a family with two children, I guess at least 1.400 Euros per month is required. This amounts to about 2.5 or 3 minimum wages. These incomes allow for only a very basic lifestyle in Istanbul.
2) Who can sustain life in Istanbul on minimum wage
These income levels also determine who can actually sustain life in Istanbul on minimum wage.
For individuals, it’s mostly students, young adults, or middle-aged people living with their families or in shared apartments. The high cost of living in Istanbul makes it nearly impossible for individuals to afford their own apartment.
For families, both husband and wife must work. Let’s assume both earn minimum wage. Then additional income is required from tips, a second job or paid overtime. Teenagers in the household often work part-time to cover their own expenses.
3) Salary and work
Regarding salary, the current minimum wage is around 570 Euros. It is typically adjusted once per year. However, with inflation in Turkey, purchasing power shrinks throughout the year.
Most employers provide either free meals or a meal allowance. Public transportation costs are also often covered.
Jobs with minimum wage can be found in supermarkets, retail shops, restaurants, cafés, hotels and many other sectors.
4) Neighbourhoods
Check my YouTube video (link in the top) for a more detailed look at the relevant neighbourhoods in Istanbul
Now, let’s look at where minimum wage earners live in Istanbul. The green-marked districts along the Bosphorus are the most beautiful and desirable areas in Istanbul. But they are out of reach for low-income households.
The red-highlighted districts have the lowest rents in Istanbul. Here, minimum wage households can rent relatively new apartments.
In these light red highlighted districts, there are many neighbourhoods with affordable apartments. But these are mostly old ones. Additionally, let’s have a look at these second tier districts, which are highlighted light green. There are only some old properties available in the target price range. And some affordable properties in the more central districts are quite undesirable.
5) Cost of living in Istanbul
Next, let’s talk about the cost of living in Istanbul. Rent in these neighbourhoods ranges from 400 to 500 Euros per month for a two-bedroom apartment. For living expenses, people need to spend the remainder of their income.
6) Typical week in Istanbul
Now, let’s talk about what a typical week looks like. Private sector employees in Turkey work 45 hours per week. For minimum wage workers, this often means a six-day workweek. The work itself is already quite exhausting. In most families, the father works paid overtime or takes on a second job in the evenings and or weekends. Moreover, the total daily commute is between 2 and 4 hours using public transportation.
For those living on a tight budget, life in Istanbul is a constant struggle. There is very little time to rest or even enjoy the city. At best, there is maybe one day per week.
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: