🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,438 in Edessa versus $1,575 in Thessaloniki.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,146 in Edessa versus $2,359 in Thessaloniki.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,855 in Edessa versus $3,142 in Thessaloniki.
🌍Living in Edessa costs roughly 9% less than in Thessaloniki, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Edessa8% above, Thessaloniki18% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.67€15.41
$17.09€14.90
3.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6€45.82
$56.9€49.61
-7.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.68€8.44
$10.47€9.13
-7.55%
Cappuccino
$3.61€3.15
$4.41€3.84
-18.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09€1.82
$2.37€2.07
-11.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69€0.60
$0.57€0.49
21.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.09€3.57
$5.74€5.00
-28.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51€3.93
$5.67€4.94
-20.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72€1.50
$1.47€1.29
17.01%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30€1.13
$1.44€1.26
-9.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.49€2.17
$2.38€2.08
4.62%
Eggs
$4.59€4.00
$4.21€3.67
9.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.72€11.96
$13.68€11.93
0.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.08€7.04
$11.10€9.68
-27.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.44€11.72
$14.71€12.82
-8.63%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24€1.95
$1.97€1.72
13.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.10€1.83
$1.92€1.68
9.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49€1.30
$1.68€1.47
-11.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$2.32€2.03
-13.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37€1.19
$1.28€1.12
7.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37€1.20
$1.38€1.20
-0.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00€0.87
$1.09€0.95
-8.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.93€0.81
$0.82€0.72
13.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.74€5.01
$5.18€4.52
10.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.26€6.33
$11.59€10.10
-37.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46€1.27
$1.94€1.69
-24.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72€2.37
$2.69€2.34
1.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.52€1.32
$1.03€0.90
47.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.63€39.78
$31.69€27.63
43.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.72€4.12
$4.60€4.01
2.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.76€12.00
$32.14€28.02
-57.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.22€1.94
$2.02€1.76
9.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9K€26.9K
$31.5K€27.4K
-1.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K€23.0K
$31.0K€27.1K
-15.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$238€207
$213€186
11.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.97€27.87
$25.86€22.55
23.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.18€30.67
$30.64€26.71
14.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.98€43.57
$45.51€39.68
9.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.57€23.16
$18.67€16.28
42.31%
Cinema Ticket
$9.17€8.00
$10.29€8.97
-10.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$430€375
$428€373
0.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,976€5,210
$8,234€7,179
-27.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.9€77.5
$83.2€72.5
6.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.50€33.56
$37.47€32.67
2.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.6€77.3
$91.5€79.8
-3.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107€93.4
$116€101
-7.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$383€334
$552€481
-30.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365€318
$451€393
-19.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585€510
$923€805
-36.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$482€421
$754€657
-35.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,385€1,208
$3,659€3,190
-62.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,437€2,125
$2,828€2,466
-13.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Edessa
Thessaloniki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$763€666
$1,171€1,021
-34.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.43
4.68
-5.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Edessa: July 27, 2026
Last update for Thessaloniki: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $383 in Edessa and $552 in Thessaloniki. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Thessaloniki pays 53% 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: $53.0 in Edessa vs $57.0 in Thessaloniki for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $295 per month, with Edessa 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
Edessa vs Thessaloniki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Edessa and in Thessaloniki?
Edessa and Thessaloniki differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($1,438 vs $1,575 including rent). Edessa is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 53% lower in Thessaloniki. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Edessa and in Thessaloniki?
Rent for a central apartment: $383 in Edessa versus $552 in Thessaloniki. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Edessa and in Thessaloniki?
A monthly transit pass in Edessa runs roughly 44% less than in Thessaloniki. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Edessa and Thessaloniki?
Childcare runs $430 in Edessa versus $428 in Thessaloniki. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,438 in Edessa versus $1,575 in Thessaloniki, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Edessa but tight or insufficient in Thessaloniki. The gap between the two cities makes Edessa the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Edessa and Thessaloniki?
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.
Is Edessa or Thessaloniki safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Edessa 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.
Where should expats move: Edessa or Thessaloniki?
Expats usually find Edessa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Thessaloniki. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.