🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,533 in Chalcis versus $1,546 in Thessaloniki.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,251 in Chalcis versus $2,354 in Thessaloniki.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,968 in Chalcis versus $3,162 in Thessaloniki.
🙂Living in Chalcis costs roughly 1% less than in Thessaloniki, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Chalcis14% above, Thessaloniki15% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.34€11.47
$17.27€14.85
-22.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.36€42.46
$57.7€49.63
-14.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.31€8.01
$10.30€8.86
-9.61%
Cappuccino
$4.10€3.53
$4.27€3.67
-3.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63€1.41
$2.36€2.03
-30.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61€0.52
$0.56€0.48
8.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42€2.94
$5.88€5.06
-41.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.12€3.54
$5.74€4.94
-28.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.49€1.28
$1.52€1.31
-1.97%
White Bread(500g)
$1.61€1.39
$1.46€1.25
10.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07€1.78
$2.45€2.11
-15.51%
Eggs
$4.22€3.63
$4.41€3.79
-4.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.83€11.90
$13.67€11.76
1.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.65€8.30
$11.10€9.55
-13.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.38€11.51
$14.79€12.72
-9.53%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98€1.71
$2.04€1.75
-2.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87€1.60
$1.87€1.61
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08€0.93
$1.68€1.45
-35.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02€1.74
$2.38€2.04
-15.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.09€0.94
$1.26€1.08
-13.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.22€1.05
$1.33€1.15
-8.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99€0.85
$1.09€0.94
-9.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45€0.39
$0.88€0.75
-48.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.84€4.16
$5.36€4.61
-9.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.45€5.55
$11.70€10.06
-44.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61€1.39
$2.00€1.72
-19.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44€2.10
$2.80€2.41
-12.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.40€1.20
$1.05€0.91
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.47€39.98
$30.99€26.66
49.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.66€4.01
$4.62€3.97
0.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.06€0.91
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.86€11.92
$31.91€27.45
-56.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.07€1.78
$2.07€1.78
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€29.8K
$31.3K€26.9K
10.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1K€25.0K
$31.7K€27.2K
-8.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$292€251
$213€183
37.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.45€20.17
$26.13€22.48
-10.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.73€27.30
$30.44€26.18
4.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.5€58.9
$44.22€38.03
54.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.69€16.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.91€8.53
$9.98€8.59
-0.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$295€254
$421€363
-30.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,600€4,817
$8,408€7,233
-33.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109€94.2
$82.5€71.0
32.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.83€33.40
$36.95€31.78
5.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101€87.0
$90.9€78.2
11.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.7€83.2
$115€98.9
-15.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$515€443
$542€466
-5.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$375€322
$452€389
-17.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$805€693
$940€808
-14.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$589€507
$742€638
-20.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,599€2,235
$3,833€3,297
-32.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,072€1,783
$2,909€2,502
-28.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chalcis
Thessaloniki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,079€928
$1,193€1,026
-9.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.34
4.68
-7.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chalcis: May 31, 2026
Last update for Thessaloniki: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $515 in Chalcis and $542 in Thessaloniki. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Thessaloniki pays 11% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Chalcis vs $58.0 in Thessaloniki for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $263 vs $298 per month, with Chalcis cheaper across the board.
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
Chalcis vs Thessaloniki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thessaloniki cheaper than Chalcis?
Chalcis is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 1% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Chalcis or Thessaloniki?
On paper, Thessaloniki earns 11% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Chalcis and Thessaloniki?
Rent for a central apartment: $515 in Chalcis versus $542 in Thessaloniki. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Chalcis and Thessaloniki?
Supermarket bills run roughly 14% higher in Thessaloniki. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Chalcis or Thessaloniki?
Dining out is cheaper in Chalcis – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $58.0 in Thessaloniki. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Chalcis or Thessaloniki?
At $1,533 in Chalcis versus $1,546 in Thessaloniki, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Chalcis but tight or insufficient in Thessaloniki. The gap between the two cities makes Chalcis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Chalcis or Thessaloniki more family-friendly?
For families, Chalcis is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Thessaloniki, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Chalcis or Thessaloniki?
Safety-wise, Chalcis and Thessaloniki are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Chalcis gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Thessaloniki. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.