🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $703 in Cucuta versus $780 in Kumanovo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,114 in Cucuta versus $1,180 in Kumanovo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,524 in Cucuta versus $1,579 in Kumanovo.
🙂Living in Cucuta costs roughly 10% less than in Kumanovo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cucuta48% lower, Kumanovo42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.69COP 13.2K
$5.54MKD 292
-33.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.71COP 84.7K
$27.92MKD 1,471
-15.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.47COP 26.7K
$5.01MKD 264
49.10%
Cappuccino
$0.99COP 3,526
$1.61MKD 84.6
-38.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89COP 3,173
$1.61MKD 84.6
-44.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34COP 1,230
$1.14MKD 60.2
-70.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.15COP 4,110
$1.61MKD 85.0
-28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22COP 7,913
$1.80MKD 94.7
23.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86COP 3,085
$1.25MKD 65.8
-31.20%
White Bread(500g)
$0.92COP 3,301
$0.61MKD 32.17
50.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94COP 3,368
$1.72MKD 90.7
-45.35%
Eggs
$2.21COP 7,899
$2.02MKD 107
9.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.30COP 18.9K
$7.14MKD 376
-25.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.26COP 18.8K
$7.03MKD 371
-25.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.33COP 26.2K
$11.51MKD 606
-36.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.42COP 8,652
$0.64MKD 33.94
278.12%
Banana(1kg)
$0.75COP 2,672
$1.44MKD 75.7
-47.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.75COP 2,692
$1.25MKD 65.8
-40.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.63COP 2,254
$1.10MKD 58.1
-42.73%
Potato(1kg)
$0.75COP 2,686
$0.99MKD 52.3
-24.24%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59COP 2,093
$0.78MKD 40.88
-24.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63COP 2,238
$0.49MKD 26.04
28.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,566
$0.51MKD 26.91
41.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.39COP 8,530
$3.03MKD 160
-21.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.81COP 38.6K
$7.68MKD 405
40.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09COP 3,900
$1.01MKD 53.1
7.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79COP 6,398
$1.08MKD 56.8
65.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.70COP 2,483
$0.69MKD 36.44
1.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.51COP 105.4K
$20.09MKD 1,059
46.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.43COP 5,103
$1.12MKD 58.8
27.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.51COP 5,390
$0.49MKD 25.60
208.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.09COP 18.2K
$6.67MKD 351
-23.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,522
$1.42MKD 75.0
-30.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2KCOP 65.0M
$31.5KMKD 1.7M
-42.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9KCOP 92.4M
$34.4KMKD 1.8M
-24.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.4COP 308.5K
$122MKD 6,445
-29.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.04COP 32.3K
$17.15MKD 904
-47.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.60COP 70.0K
$15.42MKD 813
27.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.64COP 84.4K
$18.90MKD 996
25.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.79COP 31.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.87COP 13.8K
$4.58MKD 241
-15.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$331COP 1.2M
$216MKD 11.4K
53.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,202COP 15.0M
$1,223MKD 64.4K
243.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.2COP 211.5K
$37.45MKD 1,974
58.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.31COP 118.9K
$48.11MKD 2,536
-30.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.8COP 292.0K
$74.9MKD 3,946
9.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.7COP 256.0K
$46.12MKD 2,431
55.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$252COP 900.5K
$259MKD 13.6K
-2.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$171COP 610.6K
$214MKD 11.3K
-19.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$586COP 2.1M
$568MKD 29.9K
3.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$357COP 1.3M
$307MKD 16.2K
16.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,554COP 5.5M
$1,710MKD 90.1K
-9.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,144COP 4.1M
$1,466MKD 77.2K
-21.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cucuta
Kumanovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$454COP 1.6M
$588MKD 31.0K
-22.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.18
4
229.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cucuta: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kumanovo: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $252 in Cucuta and $259 in Kumanovo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kumanovo pays 30% 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: $24.00 in Cucuta vs $28.00 in Kumanovo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $163 vs $182 per month, with Cucuta 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
Cucuta vs Kumanovo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kumanovo cheaper than Cucuta?
Cucuta is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 11% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cucuta or Kumanovo?
On paper, Kumanovo earns 30% 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 Cucuta and Kumanovo?
Rent for a central apartment: $252 in Cucuta versus $259 in Kumanovo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Cucuta and Kumanovo?
Supermarket bills run roughly 12% higher in Kumanovo. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Cucuta or Kumanovo?
Dining out is cheaper in Cucuta – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $28.00 in Kumanovo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Cucuta or Kumanovo?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Cucuta gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Cucuta or Kumanovo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Cucuta or Kumanovo?
Safety-wise, Cucuta and Kumanovo 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 Cucuta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Kumanovo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.