In case you are trying to figure out which one of these two cities to visit or live in, this Istanbul vs Tehran comparison can be helpful. There are many nice cities that can be worth knowing about in Middle Eastern countries and these two are definitely among them. If you want to know about some of the differences and similarities between Istanbul and Tehran, keep reading…

Istanbul vs Tehran: What Factors Will We Consider in This Comparison?

On this website, IstanbulJoy, we have made comparisons between Istanbul and many different cities, looking at a variety of important factors. We will consider numerous factors such as basic info, cost of living, lifestyle and places of interest when making a comparison between Istanbul vs Tehran. Now if you are ready to dive in, let’s begin!

Basic Info About These Cities

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Tehran is the capital city of Iran, along with being its most crowded city with around 9 million people inhabiting it. Istanbul is the most populous city of Turkey, however it is not its capital. While Tehran doesn’t have a coast, Istanbul is a coastal city with the Black Sea to its north and the Marmara Sea to its south.

Istanbul vs Tehran Cost of Living

One of the significant factors to keep in mind when comparing cities can be cost of living. Compared to Istanbul, prices of many things in Tehran are lower. However, when it comes to purchasing a car, prices in Tehran can be higher than Istanbul.

Places of Interest

With their long and rich histories, both of these cities have a lot of important places of interest to know about. For those visiting Tehran, places such as Azadi Tower, Treasury of National Jewels, Golestan Palace and Sa’dabad Historical Cultural Complex can be worth checking out. Istanbul, on the other hand, has spots like Topkapi Palace, Maiden’s Tower, Eyup Sultan Mosque and Basilica Cistern.

Lifestyle and People

Although to a westerner, Istanbul and Tehran may seem like quite similar in terms of lifestyle, they are very different. While in Tehran, there is a strict religious law present, this isn’t the case in Istanbul. Compared to Tehran, Istanbul is a more liberal and free city to live in. But in terms of local people, both cities are full of warm, friendly and hospitable people to meet.

Istanbul vs Tehran: Pros and Cons of Each City

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Both of these amazing cities are full of wonderful historical places to visit and their local cuisines are certainly worth exploring. But they are both fairly crowded and bad traffic can be a significant issue in both Istanbul and Tehran.

Weather, Parks and Natural Places

While Tehran has an arid climate, average humidity levels tend to be higher in Istanbul. Between these two, Tehran tends to be the one that is hotter during summer. In Tehran there are numerous parks and natural areas to check out like Mellat Park, Laleh Park and the National Botanical Garden of Iran, while Istanbul has places like Gülhane Park, Emirgan Park and Belgrad Forest.

Activities and Fun

On this Istanbul vs Tehran comparison on IstanbulJoy, let’s discuss fun things to do in these cities, as well. Sightseeing, visiting museums, attending cultural events and enjoying local foods can be amazing fun activities to do while visiting both of these cities. So both Istanbul and Tehran can have a lot to offer in this area.

Foods and Culture

If you want to enjoy foods from Iranian cuisine, Tehran can offer a lot of choices, while you can taste many Turkish foods in Istanbul. Istanbul is a more culturally diverse city than Tehran and Tehran has a more traditional culture.

Expat Life: Jobs, Housing, Public Transport, etc.

Buying or renting a house in Istanbul can be more expensive compared to Tehran. Both cities can have numerous job opportunities. In terms of public transport, both Istanbul and Tehran have many options that can be used.

Istanbul vs Tehran Final Words

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On IstanbulJoy, we have made comparisons between Istanbul and many different cities. Here on this Istanbul vs Tehran comparison, we took a look at some of the similarities and differences between these two wonderful places. If you want to delve deeper into this topic, don’t forget to do your own resarch about it.

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