Bodrum vs Abha

Bodrum is a small-town coastal play that punches well above its 36 thousand population, with an overall expat score of 79/100 and a FIRE score of 81/100 that should make early retirees sit up. The catch is the local economy: an average monthly net salary of $1,064/mo simply cannot carry city center living, where a 1-bedroom runs $608/mo and a 3-bedroom hits $1,317/mo, so you need outside income or a remote job paying at least the $3,000/mo the Turkey Digital Nomad Visa demands. Digital nomads get a solid 73/100, helped by cheap utilities at $42/mo and internet at $11/mo, but retirees score only 64/100 and the $773/mo income floor on the Turkey Short-Term Residence Permit is a real hurdle. Come for the Mediterranean climate and the large, active expat scene in Yalikavak, Turkbuku, and Gumbet, but budget like a foreign earner, not a local one.

Best for digital nomads meeting the $3,000/mo income requirement for Turkey’s dedicated visa. COL is 61% lower than NYC with a single monthly budget of $646.20 excluding rent. However, internists and a moderate political stability score pose risks for long-term stays.