Karabuk vs Shiraz: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Shiraz costs roughly 12% less than Karabuk. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Karabuk is approximately 15% less expensive than Shiraz based on cost of living including rent. This makes Karabuk a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Karabuk has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Karabuk is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Karabuk
Karabuk is a cheap place to live and not much else, and for a certain kind of budget-obsessed expat that is the entire pitch. A single adult can scrape by on $295/mo, a one-bedroom outside the center runs $172/mo, and the cost of living index sits at 34/100, which is why the FIRE score hits 80/100. But the trade-offs are real: English proficiency is limited, the expat community is very few, healthcare quality is fair, and the air quality index of 68 is nothing to brag about. Come for the math, stay only if you genuinely enjoy small Anatolian cities and cold, snowy winters.
About Turkey
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.
$2,533/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Shiraz
Shiraz is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $291/mo and a monthly public transport pass for $3. The catch is the local economy: an average net salary of $240/mo means most residents cannot afford the comfortable tier at $515/mo, so remote workers earning foreign currency get an absurd advantage here. The air quality index of 88 and limited English proficiency will test your patience, but a FIRE score of 85/100 says your savings rate will love it.
About Iran
Rock-bottom rent under $300/mo suits only the most niche case: someone with existing ties or business reasons to be in Iran who can tolerate a Level 4 do-not-travel advisory and no digital nomad visa or retirement visa path. That cost advantage means little against a low ease-of-access evaluation and limited English-speaking healthcare. Bad fit: anyone prioritizing safety data, easy residency, or an expat support network.
$2,601/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Karabuk | Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $253.34 | $291 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $172.27 | $221 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $456.02 | $535.5 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $334.41 | $321.4 |
| Safety Index | 70 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 35.5Mbps | 60Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Karabuk | Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $509/mo | $419/mo |
| Excluding rent | $337/mo | $198/mo |
| Rent | $172/mo | $221/mo |
| Groceries | $94.00/mo | $70.00/mo |
| Dining out | $81.00/mo | $45.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $68.00/mo | $37.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $94.00/mo | $43.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $3.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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