Kastamonu vs Madaba: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Madaba costs roughly 5x less than Kastamonu. Kastamonu has significantly faster average internet speeds (35 Mbps vs 12 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Kastamonu is approximately 4% less expensive than Madaba based on cost of living including rent. This makes Kastamonu a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Kastamonu has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Kastamonu is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Kastamonu
Kastamonu is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom city center apartment at $203/mo and a single adult's total monthly cost landing near $311/mo, but the local average net salary of $1,257/mo means you should arrive with remote work or savings, not a local job hunt. The 78/100 overall expat score and 80/100 FIRE score flatter it, yet a 49/100 retiree score, 55/100 digital nomad score, limited English, and no expat community expose the tradeoff: you get low costs and a 65/100 safety index in a city of 153 thousand, and in return you get isolation. Treat Kastamonu as a quiet, budget-first base for self-sufficient remote workers who do not need a social scene, and skip it if you want an established expat crowd or easy English conversation.
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.
$2,529/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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City Details
About Madaba
Madaba is a genuinely cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at $212/mo and a monthly budget tier for a single adult totaling $319/mo, though the average local net salary of $494/mo shows how thin the margin really is. The catch is that you get what you pay for: internet runs at 12 Mbps, English proficiency is limited, and healthcare quality is only fair. With an overall expat score of 82/100 and a FIRE score of 84/100, it suits frugal savers and remote workers chasing low costs, but the retiree score of 59/100 and digital nomad score of 54/100 should give anyone seeking comfort or community some pause.
About Jordan
Level 2 travel advisory and a US State Department warning make Jordan a tough sell for retirees seeking stability. Budget-focused expats willing to accept medium safety risk get real value: rent runs just $344.58/mo in the capital and monthly costs excluding rent sit at $669.7. A digital nomad visa is available, but PR is not available, so this fits temporary, cost-driven stays over long-term settlement.
$2,566/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Kastamonu | Madaba |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $202.68 | $211.57 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $152.01 | $42.31 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $405.35 | $423.13 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $324.28 | $211.57 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 35Mbps | 12Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Kastamonu | Madaba |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $539/mo | $485/mo |
| Excluding rent | $387/mo | $443/mo |
| Rent | $152/mo | $42.00/mo |
| Groceries | $123/mo | $117/mo |
| Dining out | $101/mo | $56.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $57.00/mo | $93.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $106/mo | $106/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $71.00/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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Kastamonu vs Madaba -- Frequently Asked Questions
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