😐A single person spends $2,181 per month in Australia vs $860 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,218 per month in Australia vs $1,294 in North Macedonia, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,254 per month in Australia vs $1,727 in North Macedonia, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Australia is about 154% higher than in North Macedonia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 64% above the global median, while North Macedonia is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Australia ($1,595–$2,799) than in North Macedonia ($745–$1,094), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.97A$22.93
$7.67MKD 413
108.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.0A$113
$27.99MKD 1,505
182.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.68A$13.91
$5.48MKD 295
76.64%
Cappuccino
$3.58A$5.15
$1.84MKD 99.2
94.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56A$3.68
$1.80MKD 97.0
42.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22A$3.19
$1.19MKD 64.0
86.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.34A$9.10
$2.19MKD 118
189.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.95A$9.98
$2.86MKD 154
143.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56A$2.25
$1.36MKD 72.9
14.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.53A$3.63
$0.76MKD 40.90
232.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.00A$2.87
$1.67MKD 89.8
19.76%
Eggs
$4.26A$6.12
$2.22MKD 119
91.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.75A$12.57
$8.74MKD 470
0.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.23A$11.83
$7.11MKD 382
15.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.15A$20.33
$12.33MKD 663
14.76%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26A$4.69
$1.00MKD 53.7
226.00%
Banana(1kg)
$2.81A$4.04
$1.48MKD 79.5
89.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.00A$4.31
$1.36MKD 72.9
120.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.31A$6.19
$1.94MKD 104
122.16%
Potato(1kg)
$2.55A$3.67
$0.86MKD 46.17
196.51%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16A$3.10
$0.97MKD 52.3
122.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.22A$3.19
$0.70MKD 37.46
217.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53A$2.20
$0.57MKD 30.83
168.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$31.28A$44.93
$3.15MKD 169
893.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.09A$20.24
$5.68MKD 305
148.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.44A$6.38
$1.04MKD 56.1
326.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.90A$7.05
$1.49MKD 80.0
228.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.95A$4.24
$0.76MKD 41.08
288.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$95.9A$138
$28.09MKD 1,510
241.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49A$5.01
$1.16MKD 62.4
200.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.84A$2.64
$0.57MKD 30.91
222.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$37.26A$53.5
$7.68MKD 413
385.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17A$1.68
$1.52MKD 81.8
-23.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7KA$41.3K
$34.4KMKD 1.9M
-16.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5KA$32.3K
$30.5KMKD 1.6M
-26.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$173A$249
$153MKD 8,200
13.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.62A$38.23
$17.62MKD 947
51.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1A$76.2
$18.97MKD 1,020
179.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.82A$67.3
$31.30MKD 1,683
49.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.38A$23.53
$14.22MKD 764
15.19%
Cinema Ticket
$13.56A$19.48
$6.64MKD 357
104.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,571A$2,256
$288MKD 15.5K
445.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.6KA$18.1K
$4,119MKD 221.5K
205.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.1A$104
$69.7MKD 3,747
3.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.6A$74.1
$41.10MKD 2,210
25.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101A$145
$96.7MKD 5,197
4.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108A$155
$112MKD 6,018
-3.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,398A$2,008
$345MKD 18.5K
305.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,086A$1,560
$263MKD 14.2K
312.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,272A$3,263
$567MKD 30.5K
300.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,751A$2,515
$397MKD 21.3K
341.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,955A$11.4K
$1,942MKD 104.4K
309.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,978A$8,587
$1,328MKD 71.4K
350.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
North Macedonia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,053A$5,822
$759MKD 40.8K
434.05%
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: July 28, 2026
Last update for North Macedonia: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,230 in Australia vs $282 in North Macedonia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,557 in Canberra and $422 in Skopje.
💰Average salary: $3,808 in Australia vs $652 in North Macedonia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 336% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 196% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 205% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 484% 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 139% 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 139% 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.