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Istanbul and London

Compare city data. Available figures only, alongside their sources, years and coverage.

Population

Istanbul15,840,900World Cities Culture Forum2021 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2021
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London9,002,488World Cities Culture Forum2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Traffic congestion

Istanbul62%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London51.6%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual rush-hour time lost

Istanbul112 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London141 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro network

Istanbul265.2 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London436 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IMD Smart City

Istanbul#116IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#4IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE Cities in Motion

Istanbul#84IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Key differences

  • Istanbul has higher traffic congestion.
  • London has more annual time lost in traffic.
  • London has a longer recorded metro network.
  • Istanbul has limited data in some areas; missing values are not treated as zero.

Detailed comparison

Open a section to explore. Metrics without data for either city are omitted.

RAW Measured dataBENCHMARK Source index / ranking

City overview

3 metrics

RAW Raw data

Population

Istanbul15,840,900World Cities Culture Forum2021 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2021
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London9,002,488World Cities Culture Forum2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

City area

Istanbul5,461 km²World Cities Culture Forum2014 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2014
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London1,572 km²World Cities Culture Forum2019 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2019
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Different data years; no direct comparison.

Population density

Istanbul2,900.7 people/km²World Cities Culture Forum2014, 2021 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2014, 2021
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London5,726.8 people/km²World Cities Culture Forum2019, 2022 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2019, 2022
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Data year is unspecified or spans multiple periods.

Transport

9 metrics

RAW Raw data

Traffic congestion

Istanbul62%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London51.6%TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual rush-hour time lost

Istanbul112 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London141 h/yearTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Traffic rank within country

Istanbul#1TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#8TomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Geographical or institutional boundaries can vary; figures are shown for context.

Change from 2024

Istanbul2.6 percentage pointsTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London1 percentage pointsTomTom Traffic Index2025 · RAW
Source
Organization
TomTom Traffic Index
Data period
2025
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro network

Istanbul265.2 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London436 kmWikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro stations

Istanbul155Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London317Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Metro systems

Istanbul1Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London2Wikipedia / UITP2026-09-20 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2026-09-20
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Annual metro ridership

Istanbul688.9 million/yearWikipedia / UITP2024 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2024
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London1,315 million/yearWikipedia / UITP2024 · RAW
Source
Organization
Wikipedia / UITP
Data period
2024
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE mobility and transport rank

Istanbul#89IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Environment

3 metrics

RAW Raw data

Public parks and gardens

Istanbul2.2%World Cities Culture Forum2015 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2015
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London33%World Cities Culture Forum2015 · RAW
Source
Organization
World Cities Culture Forum
Data period
2015
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Geographical or institutional boundaries can vary; figures are shown for context.

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE environment rank

Istanbul#137IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#33IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford environment score

IstanbulData unavailable
London83.2 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Governance

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE governance rank

Istanbul#51IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford governance score

IstanbulData unavailable
London80.5 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Urban planning

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE overall rank

Istanbul#84IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE urban planning rank

Istanbul#45IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Technology and digital city

2 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IMD Smart City rank

Istanbul#116IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#4IMD Smart City Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IMD Smart City Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE technology rank

Istanbul#130IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#8IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Economy

5 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE economy rank

Istanbul#110IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#38IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE international projection rank

Istanbul#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford overall rank

IstanbulData unavailable
London#2Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Oxford overall score

IstanbulData unavailable
London98.8 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Oxford economics score

IstanbulData unavailable
London86.5 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Social life

4 metrics

BENCHMARK Source benchmark

IESE human capital rank

Istanbul#109IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#4IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

IESE social cohesion rank

Istanbul#61IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
London#1IESE Cities in Motion2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
IESE Cities in Motion
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Oxford human capital score

IstanbulData unavailable
London100 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Oxford quality of life score

IstanbulData unavailable
London77 / 100Oxford Economics Global Cities Index2026 · BENCHMARK
Source
Organization
Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
Data period
2026
Data type
Source benchmark (BENCHMARK)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source

Comparable data unavailable.

Municipal finance

4 metrics

RAW Raw data

Municipal budget

Istanbul₺440,000,000,000İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi2026 · RAW
Source
Organization
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Data period
2026
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Capital expenditure

Istanbul₺156,233,411,000İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi2026 · RAW
Source
Organization
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Data period
2026
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Capital share of budget

Istanbul35.5%İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi2026 · RAW
Source
Organization
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Data period
2026
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Investment and service programme

Istanbul₺341,876,217,000İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi2026 · RAW
Source
Organization
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Data period
2026
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Water and wastewater

2 metrics

RAW Raw data

Water abstracted per person per day

Istanbul203 L/person/dayTÜİK2024 · RAW
Source
Organization
TÜİK
Data period
2024
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Wastewater discharged per person per day

Istanbul291 L/person/dayTÜİK2024 · RAW
Source
Organization
TÜİK
Data period
2024
Data type
Raw data (RAW)
Record updated
2026-09-20
Open source
LondonData unavailable

Comparable data unavailable.

Current projects

🇹🇷 Istanbul

Metro

Pendik Merkez–Kaynarca Merkez–Fevzi Çakmak Metro

🇹🇷 Istanbul, Türkiye

Construction continued in 2026; municipal update gives an opening target around late 2026 / Q1 2027.

Opening target: Q1 2027 in the cited municipal update

Source: İstanbul Büyükşehir BelediyesiOpen source

🇬🇧 London

Housing

Mayor’s Housebuilding Offer / City Hall Developer

🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom

London announced the first scheme under City Hall Developer as part of a wider push to restart housebuilding, with a large East London pipeline tied to the capital’s social and affordable housing programme.

First scheme: 7,000 homes in East London; wider programme about £12bn

Source: Greater London AuthorityOpen source

Related comparisons

🇹🇷 Istanbul / Vienna🇹🇷 Ankara / Copenhagen🇹🇷 Izmir / Barcelona