Apartment in Istanbul: What can you buy for $150,000 ?
What kind of apartment in Istanbul can you actually buy for 150.000 US dollars? I’ve bought seven properties in Istanbul. So I know exactly what to look for and what to avoid. In this article, I’ll show you which areas and property types are within that budget.
All information in this article and more is also included in my YouTube video:
Overview 150k apartment in Istanbul
You need at least $150k to buy a meaningful property in Istanbul. I’ll explain in which districts you can buy an apartment in Istanbul and present four explicit property types.
This article is structured into five sections:
- Zones in Istanbul
- Zone 1 investment property in Istanbul for $150k
- Zone 2 apartment in Istanbul for $150k
- Zone 3 apartment in Istanbul for $150k
- Residence property in zone 2 and 3 for $150k
1) Zones in Istanbul
Let me first explain the different zones in Istanbul. The dark-green highlighted districts (see map) along the Bosphorus are the most beautiful and sought-after areas. This is the heart of Istanbul. Nearly two million locals live here. It is where you find all the major tourist attractions and popular neighbourhoods. We personally live in Üsküdar and rarely ever leave these Bosphorus districts. The Bosphorus is the main reason people fall in love with Istanbul.
Next are zone 2 districts. These are highlighted light-green and neighbour the Bosphorus districts. From here, you can typically reach Zone 1 within an hour, whether by car or public transportation.
Zone 3 districts can take up to two hours to reach zone 1. And lastly, zone 4 districts are even further out.
Not every district within these zones is worth considering. I only recommend specific districts within each zone. Check the last paragraph in this article for a recommendation where to buy property in Istanbul.
2) Zone 1 investment property in Istanbul for $150k
Let me now explain the only option that truly makes sense for buying an apartment in Istanbul in zone 1 for 150k. And that is an investment property in Istanbul.
To my mind, the best investment properties in Istanbul are found in a few selected neighbourhoods in zone 1. These are typically one-bedroom apartments of around 45 square meters in older buildings. After purchase, you add value by renovating these properties in Istanbul nicely. The majority of the renovation costs are often still within the budget. Since these are older properties, I recommend focusing on neighbourhoods with strong ground stability for earthquake resilience.
Furnished apartments in Istanbul in these neighbourhoods can earn around 850 US Dollars per month (all prices in this video as of 2026). This gives you a rental yield of around 6.5% before taxes and any maintenance.
This is exactly the strategy I applied myself. I bought six investment properties in popular neighbourhoods in Istanbul and became financially independent. I quit my job in Germany, and now we live comfortably on that rental income.
3) Zone 2 apartment in Istanbul for $150k
Your second option is an apartment in Istanbul in a popular Zone 2 district. For this budget, you can buy a two-bedroom unit which is typically 5 to 15 years old and around 65 square meters. A metro station is often within walking distance. Since the property is for your own use, I do not recommend a lifestyle property in Istanbul which is older than 20 years. That’s mainly due to earthquake risk in Istanbul.
Check out the YouTube video above how exemplary properties look like.
4) Zone 3 apartment in Istanbul for $150k
Thirdly, in some selected zone 3 districts, you can buy a 3-bedroom unit. These will be between 5 and 15 years old and above 100 square meters.
Alternatively, you can get a 2-bedroom unit which is up to 5 years old. In some selected zone 3 neighbourhoods, you can even get a brand new 2-bedroom apartment.
Check out the YouTube video above how exemplary properties look like.
5) Residence property in zone 2 and 3 for $150k
And fourth, you can buy a residence-style Istanbul property. There are specific locations within zone 2 and zone 3 districts. These buildings have similar amenities to hotels. They usually feature a gym and sometimes a small pool. For this budget, you’re typically looking at a one-bedroom unit in a building that’s 5 to 10 years old.
Check out the YouTube video above how exemplary properties look like.
Where to Buy Property in Istanbul
If you want to learn which neighbourhoods I recommend when buying property in Istanbul, then watch the full guide here.
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: