Side-by-side city decision # San Sebastián vs Izmir. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link San SebastiánSpain4/6 VS IzmirTurkey1/6 $2,295San Sebastián monthly budget $1,005Izmir monthly budget 310 MbpsSan Sebastián internet 56 MbpsIzmir internet Decision summary San Sebastián San Sebastián leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Izmir Speed Fastest internet San Sebastián Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety San Sebastián Air Cleanest air San Sebastián Walk Most walkable San Sebastián Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain 4/6 Budget$2,295 Internet310 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Izmir](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/turkey/izmir.md) Turkey 1/6 Budget$1,005 Internet56 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricSan SebastiánIzmir Total estimated budget $2,295 $1,005 1-bed center rent $1,500 $550 Coworking desk $250 $150 Local meal $17.5 $7.5 Cappuccino $2.4 $2.6 Gym membership $55 $35 Transport budget $35 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricSan SebastiánIzmir Internet speed 310 Mbps 56 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricSan SebastiánIzmir Safety index 82/100 68/100 Air quality 88/100 65/100 Walkability 9/10 8/10 Female safety 9/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 9/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricSan SebastiánIzmir Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Average Climate type Oceanic Mediterranean Best time to visit Jun - Sep Apr - Jun Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Exceptional pintxos culture and high-quality local food * Very safe, compact, and highly walkable central districts * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Excellent public healthcare and private medical options * Beautiful beaches, coastal paths, and nearby mountain hikes * Progressive, welcoming atmosphere with strong quality of life ### Trade-offs * Rent is among the highest in Spain, especially near the beach * Wet weather is common throughout the year * Summer brings crowds, festival noise, and scarce short-term rentals * Coworking choice is smaller than in Barcelona or Madrid * Local social circles can take time to enter * Basque and Spanish are more useful than English outside tourist areas ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa exemption or Schengen Visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa [Izmir](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/turkey/izmir.md) Turkey → ### Strengths * Mediterranean waterfront lifestyle with long promenades * Lower day-to-day costs than Istanbul * Excellent local food and fresh produce * Strong metro, tram, ferry, and bus network * Mild winters and very sunny summers * Relaxed, youthful, and relatively liberal atmosphere ### Trade-offs * High inflation and exchange-rate volatility complicate budgeting * English is limited outside tourist-facing businesses * Summer heat can be intense * Apartment quality and insulation vary widely * Coworking choices are fewer than in Istanbul * Tap water is not generally preferred for drinking ### Common visa routes * Visa-free or e-Visa tourist stay, depending on nationality * Turkish short-term residence permit where eligibility requirements are met * Turkish Digital Nomad Visa for eligible remote workers meeting current criteria Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.