Mardin vs Yazd: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Yazd costs roughly 26% less than Mardin. 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.
Yazd is approximately 103% less expensive than Mardin based on cost of living including rent. This makes Yazd a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Yazd has a FIRE Score of 83/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 72, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Yazd is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mardin
Mardin is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $304/mo and a single adult's budget tier totaling just $251/mo, but that $450/mo average net salary means you had better arrive with remote income or savings. The 76/100 expat score and 78/100 FIRE score flatter a city where the expat community is small, English proficiency is limited, and healthcare quality is only fair. Summers above 38°C and an air quality index of 72 will test anyone chasing cheap rent for its own sake. Come for the Old City's stone architecture and stay only if you can tolerate a 20 Mbps connection and a 53/100 retiree score.
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.
$2,590/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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City Details
About Yazd
Yazd is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $150/mo and a single adult's budget tier totaling just $242/mo, but the average local net salary of $196/mo means you had better arrive with remote income or savings. The FIRE score of 83/100 is the real draw here, while a digital nomad score of 51/100 and internet at 7 Mbps will test your patience. Safety is solid at a 72/100 index, yet the small expat community, limited English, and air quality index of 110 make this a place for self-sufficient desert rats, not social butterflies. Come for the dirt-cheap rent and cold desert climate, stay only if you can handle the isolation.
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.
$2,610/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Mardin | Yazd |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $304.01 | $150 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $202.68 | $200 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $506.69 | $330 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $304.01 | $450 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 72 |
| Internet Speed | 20Mbps | 6.7Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Mardin | Yazd |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $474/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $271/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $203/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $74.00/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $71.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $58.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $68.00/mo | N/A |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
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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