😐A single person spends $2,547 per month in Australia vs $924 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,678 per month in Australia vs $1,377 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,808 per month in Australia vs $1,830 in North Macedonia, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Australia is about 176% higher than in North Macedonia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 85% above the global median, while North Macedonia is 33% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Australia ($1,218–$3,352) than in North Macedonia ($785–$1,182), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.74A$24.73
$7.75MKD 410
128.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$86.9A$121
$28.21MKD 1,490
208.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.35A$15.82
$5.71MKD 301
98.77%
Cappuccino
$3.99A$5.57
$1.75MKD 92.7
128.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97A$4.14
$1.74MKD 91.9
70.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51A$3.50
$1.21MKD 64.1
107.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.75A$10.80
$2.25MKD 119
244.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.07A$11.25
$2.78MKD 147
190.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76A$2.46
$1.29MKD 68.3
36.43%
White Bread(500g)
$2.87A$4.00
$0.76MKD 40.12
277.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37A$3.31
$1.68MKD 88.8
41.07%
Eggs
$5.11A$7.13
$2.30MKD 122
122.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.13A$14.13
$8.56MKD 452
18.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.57A$13.35
$6.73MKD 355
42.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.59A$21.74
$12.52MKD 661
24.52%
Apples(1kg)
$3.83A$5.34
$1.26MKD 66.6
203.97%
Banana(1kg)
$3.13A$4.36
$1.43MKD 75.7
118.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.35A$4.67
$1.34MKD 70.5
150.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.88A$6.80
$1.89MKD 100.0
158.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.92A$4.07
$0.97MKD 51.5
201.03%
Onion(1kg)
$2.36A$3.29
$1.01MKD 53.6
133.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.46A$3.43
$0.67MKD 35.53
267.16%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.70A$2.38
$0.57MKD 30.25
198.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$39.46A$55.0
$3.36MKD 177
1074.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.69A$20.48
$5.79MKD 306
153.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.07A$7.07
$1.03MKD 54.4
392.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.36A$7.48
$1.42MKD 75.0
277.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.84A$3.96
$0.80MKD 42.05
255.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.3A$136
$28.57MKD 1,509
240.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.56A$4.96
$1.34MKD 70.9
165.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.68A$2.34
$0.75MKD 39.85
124.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.94A$57.1
$7.23MKD 382
466.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35A$1.88
$1.54MKD 81.4
-12.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1KA$40.5K
$35.4KMKD 1.9M
-17.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5KA$41.1K
$30.2KMKD 1.6M
-2.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$207A$289
$154MKD 8,157
34.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.34A$40.91
$17.47MKD 923
67.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0A$83.7
$18.24MKD 964
229.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.3A$82.6
$28.09MKD 1,484
110.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28A$28.27
$14.34MKD 757
41.42%
Cinema Ticket
$16.04A$22.36
$6.53MKD 345
145.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,194A$3,059
$290MKD 15.3K
655.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.6KA$26.0K
$4,485MKD 237.0K
315.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.1A$113
$72.7MKD 3,841
11.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9A$79.3
$40.44MKD 2,137
40.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$119A$165
$93.4MKD 4,935
27.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126A$176
$106MKD 5,613
18.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,637A$2,282
$311MKD 16.5K
425.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,306A$1,821
$247MKD 13.1K
428.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,589A$3,609
$551MKD 29.1K
369.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,963A$2,737
$370MKD 19.5K
431.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,394A$11.7K
$1,895MKD 100.1K
342.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,140A$8,560
$1,352MKD 71.4K
354.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,067A$5,670
$750MKD 39.6K
442.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.93
4.72
25.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: September 6, 2026
Last update for North Macedonia: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,426 in Australia vs $286 in North Macedonia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,845 in Canberra and $443 in Skopje.
💰Average salary: $3,945 in Australia vs $664 in North Macedonia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 399% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 204% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 248% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 494% higher in Australia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Australia.
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 132% 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 132% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Australia or in 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 to 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.