πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,040 in Astrakhan versus $1,112 in Skopje.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,531 in Astrakhan versus $1,621 in Skopje.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,022 in Astrakhan versus $2,130 in Skopje.
πLiving in Astrakhan costs roughly 6% less than in Skopje, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Astrakhan22% lower, Skopje17% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.92β½797
$7.57MKDΒ 399
44.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.29β½2,503
$34.02MKDΒ 1,793
0.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.82β½571
$6.65MKDΒ 350
17.59%
Cappuccino
$1.86β½136
$2.19MKDΒ 115
-15.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93β½68.0
$1.94MKDΒ 102
-52.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53β½38.73
$1.28MKDΒ 67.5
-58.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.29β½94.4
$2.70MKDΒ 142
-52.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48β½181
$3.47MKDΒ 183
-28.53%
π Groceries & Markets
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β½93.5
$1.34MKDΒ 70.7
-4.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01β½74.0
$0.82MKDΒ 43.38
23.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.05β½77.0
$1.75MKDΒ 92.4
-40.00%
Eggs
$1.81β½132
$2.19MKDΒ 115
-17.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.61β½1,796
$9.22MKDΒ 486
166.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.01β½366
$7.99MKDΒ 421
-37.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.69β½489
$13.63MKDΒ 719
-50.92%
Apples(1kg)
$1.58β½115
$1.01MKDΒ 53.4
56.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75β½127
$1.41MKDΒ 74.5
24.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57β½115
$1.32MKDΒ 69.6
18.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44β½178
$2.17MKDΒ 115
12.44%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96β½69.9
$0.88MKDΒ 46.57
9.09%
Onion(1kg)
$0.60β½44.06
$0.92MKDΒ 48.53
-34.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.41β½103
$0.71MKDΒ 37.43
98.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65β½47.47
$0.58MKDΒ 30.60
12.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.86β½136
$3.15MKDΒ 166
-40.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.22β½308
$7.41MKDΒ 391
-43.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10β½80.4
$1.06MKDΒ 55.9
3.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86β½136
$1.51MKDΒ 79.8
23.18%
π Getting Around
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49β½35.79
$0.77MKDΒ 40.44
-36.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.67β½1,582
$27.67MKDΒ 1,458
-21.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.47β½181
$0.98MKDΒ 51.5
152.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35β½25.74
$0.49MKDΒ 25.61
-28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.90β½285
$7.60MKDΒ 400
-48.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94β½68.5
$1.47MKDΒ 77.3
-36.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8Kβ½2.5M
$34.0KMKDΒ 1.8M
-0.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7Kβ½2.3M
$29.6KMKDΒ 1.6M
7.22%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104β½7,598
$160MKDΒ 8,446
-35.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.26β½457
$18.34MKDΒ 966
-65.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.52β½403
$19.13MKDΒ 1,008
-71.14%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.74β½3,485
$38.37MKDΒ 2,022
24.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.53β½1,790
$17.56MKDΒ 925
39.69%
Cinema Ticket
$5.47β½400
$6.72MKDΒ 354
-18.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115β½8,423
$312MKDΒ 16.5K
-63.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,102β½518.4K
$4,509MKDΒ 237.6K
57.50%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5β½4,194
$77.2MKDΒ 4,067
-25.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.32β½2,359
$40.43MKDΒ 2,131
-20.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.1β½6,505
$100MKDΒ 5,275
-10.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129β½9,424
$110MKDΒ 5,810
17.11%
π Accommodation & Living
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$413β½30.1K
$429MKDΒ 22.6K
-3.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$315β½23.0K
$310MKDΒ 16.3K
1.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$447β½32.6K
$645MKDΒ 34.0K
-30.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374β½27.3K
$459MKDΒ 24.2K
-18.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,370β½100.0K
$2,801MKDΒ 147.6K
-51.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$685β½50.0K
$1,829MKDΒ 96.4K
-62.54%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astrakhan
Skopje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$448β½32.7K
$913MKDΒ 48.1K
-50.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
4.54
237.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astrakhan: June 2, 2026
Last update for Skopje: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $413 in Astrakhan and $429 in Skopje. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Skopje pays 104% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $34.00 in Astrakhan vs $34.00 in Skopje. Groceries flip the comparison at $225 vs $213, with Skopje cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Astrakhan vs Skopje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Astrakhan and Skopje?
Astrakhan and Skopje differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($1,040 vs $1,112 including rent). Astrakhan is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Skopje earns 104% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Astrakhan and Skopje?
Rent for a central apartment: $413 in Astrakhan versus $429 in Skopje. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Astrakhan and Skopje?
A monthly transit pass in Astrakhan runs roughly 28% less than in Skopje. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astrakhan and Skopje?
Childcare runs $115 in Astrakhan versus $312 in Skopje. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,040 in Astrakhan versus $1,112 in Skopje, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Astrakhan but tight or insufficient in Skopje. The gap between the two cities makes Astrakhan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Astrakhan and Skopje?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Astrakhan or Skopje?
Expats usually find Astrakhan gentler on the wallet β expenses run 7% less than in Skopje. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.