😐A single person spends $2,184 per month in Australia vs $866 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,219 per month in Australia vs $1,293 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,253 per month in Australia vs $1,719 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐Australia costs about 152% more than North Macedonia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 63% above the global median, while North Macedonia is 36% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏Australia has a wider regional cost range ($1,592–$2,842) than North Macedonia ($759–$1,105), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Australia.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.44A$23.23
$7.58MKD 402
116.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.1A$110
$28.00MKD 1,486
179.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.94A$14.05
$5.80MKD 308
71.38%
Cappuccino
$3.60A$5.08
$1.84MKD 97.8
95.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68A$3.78
$1.75MKD 92.7
53.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14A$3.02
$1.23MKD 65.3
73.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.53A$9.23
$2.32MKD 123
181.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.05A$9.96
$2.89MKD 153
143.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.58A$2.23
$1.30MKD 69.2
21.54%
White Bread(500g)
$2.53A$3.57
$0.71MKD 37.48
256.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07A$2.93
$1.61MKD 85.3
28.57%
Eggs
$4.30A$6.08
$2.25MKD 119
91.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.03A$12.76
$8.88MKD 471
1.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.55A$12.08
$7.41MKD 393
15.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.96A$19.72
$12.27MKD 651
13.77%
Apples(1kg)
$3.18A$4.49
$0.99MKD 52.6
221.21%
Banana(1kg)
$2.84A$4.01
$1.42MKD 75.5
100.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.95A$4.17
$1.30MKD 69.0
126.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.43A$6.26
$1.91MKD 101
131.94%
Potato(1kg)
$2.46A$3.47
$0.93MKD 49.27
164.52%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17A$3.07
$0.99MKD 52.3
119.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.29A$3.24
$0.68MKD 36.27
236.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.57A$2.22
$0.56MKD 29.98
180.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$30.87A$43.61
$3.13MKD 166
886.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.06A$19.86
$6.37MKD 338
120.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.55A$6.43
$1.04MKD 55.1
337.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.81A$6.80
$1.47MKD 78.1
227.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.87A$4.05
$0.77MKD 41.11
272.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$95.8A$135
$28.14MKD 1,493
240.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.65A$5.15
$1.15MKD 61.1
217.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.76A$2.49
$0.56MKD 29.79
214.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.27A$54.1
$7.67MKD 407
398.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15A$1.63
$1.53MKD 81.4
-24.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KA$40.1K
$34.5KMKD 1.8M
-17.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0KA$32.5K
$31.1KMKD 1.6M
-25.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178A$251
$149MKD 7,879
19.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.46A$37.38
$17.59MKD 933
50.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.1A$76.4
$18.74MKD 994
188.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.64A$65.9
$31.81MKD 1,688
46.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.54A$23.37
$14.49MKD 769
14.15%
Cinema Ticket
$13.65A$19.28
$6.50MKD 345
110.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,575A$2,225
$283MKD 15.0K
457.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.7KA$17.9K
$4,106MKD 217.9K
209.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.5A$101
$69.6MKD 3,695
2.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.8A$71.8
$41.42MKD 2,198
22.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100A$142
$96.9MKD 5,140
3.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108A$153
$111MKD 5,866
-2.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,384A$1,955
$349MKD 18.5K
296.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,105A$1,562
$257MKD 13.7K
329.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,298A$3,246
$574MKD 30.4K
300.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,728A$2,441
$399MKD 21.2K
332.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,610A$10.8K
$2,026MKD 107.5K
275.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,504A$7,776
$1,397MKD 74.1K
293.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,002A$5,654
$750MKD 39.8K
433.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.35
4.76
33.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: June 7, 2026
Last update for North Macedonia: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,232 in Australia vs $285 in North Macedonia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,568 in Canberra and $429 in Skopje.
💰Average salary: $3,845 in Australia vs $662 in North Macedonia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 332% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 196% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 219% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 481% higher in Australia, giving Australia stronger purchasing power.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Australia vs North Macedonia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 138% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Australia consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in North Macedonia, contributing to the overall 138% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Australia or North Macedonia?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in North Macedonia, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.