😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $802 in Gostivar versus $764 in Sao Luis.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,198 in Gostivar versus $1,164 in Sao Luis.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,594 in Gostivar versus $1,564 in Sao Luis.
🌍Living in Gostivar is roughly 5% more expensive than in Sao Luis, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Gostivar40% lower, Sao Luis43% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.08MKD 273
$4.92R$25.07
3.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.50MKD 1,262
$30.38R$155
-22.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.97MKD 267
$7.40R$37.69
-32.84%
Cappuccino
$1.43MKD 76.8
$2.06R$10.48
-30.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MKD 62.2
$0.96R$4.87
20.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MKD 62.1
$0.60R$3.04
93.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.40MKD 75.4
$1.86R$9.48
-24.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93MKD 104
$3.20R$16.27
-39.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33MKD 71.6
$0.98R$4.98
35.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71MKD 38.34
$1.88R$9.58
-62.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.47MKD 78.9
$0.99R$5.03
48.48%
Eggs
$2.12MKD 114
$1.87R$9.50
13.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.63MKD 356
$9.40R$47.86
-29.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79MKD 311
$3.78R$19.25
53.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.84MKD 743
$7.37R$37.53
87.79%
Apples(1kg)
$1.06MKD 57.0
$1.94R$9.89
-45.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38MKD 74.1
$1.27R$6.47
8.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.26MKD 67.7
$0.99R$5.05
27.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.63MKD 87.3
$1.35R$6.90
20.74%
Potato(1kg)
$0.92MKD 49.42
$1.16R$5.90
-20.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.73MKD 39.01
$1.25R$6.35
-41.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.54MKD 28.82
$0.77R$3.93
-29.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53MKD 28.61
$0.62R$3.14
-14.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.90MKD 156
$2.05R$10.44
41.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.60MKD 247
$7.96R$40.55
-42.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.95MKD 51.2
$1.15R$5.87
-17.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52MKD 81.6
$1.92R$9.76
-20.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.69MKD 36.80
$0.77R$3.93
-10.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.28MKD 1,088
$34.77R$177
-41.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.90MKD 48.09
$0.93R$4.71
-3.23%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35MKD 18.85
$0.49R$2.49
-28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.49MKD 348
$6.29R$32.05
3.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42MKD 76.2
$0.98R$4.98
44.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.4KMKD 1.7M
$17.0KR$86.8K
83.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$46.8KMKD 2.5M
$25.2KR$128.2K
85.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133MKD 7,148
$82.4R$420
61.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.11MKD 597
$17.31R$88.2
-35.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.48MKD 831
$16.28R$82.9
-4.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.78MKD 1,438
$18.44R$93.9
45.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$15.44R$78.6
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.74MKD 255
$6.24R$31.79
-24.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$222MKD 11.9K
$205R$1,042
8.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,225MKD 65.8K
$4,348R$22.1K
-71.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.14MKD 2,047
$44.44R$226
-14.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.21MKD 1,997
$46.93R$239
-20.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.0MKD 4,027
$53.7R$273
39.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112MKD 5,988
$53.7R$274
107.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$286MKD 15.3K
$388R$1,975
-26.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$194MKD 10.4K
$208R$1,057
-6.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$573MKD 30.8K
$519R$2,642
10.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$312MKD 16.8K
$299R$1,525
4.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,575MKD 84.5K
$1,470R$7,486
7.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,282MKD 68.8K
$715R$3,641
79.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gostivar
Sao Luis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$877MKD 47.1K
$375R$1,909
133.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
10.92
-40.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gostivar: July 12, 2026
Last update for Sao Luis: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $286 in Gostivar and $388 in Sao Luis. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Gostivar pays 134% 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 Gostivar vs $30.00 in Sao Luis. Groceries flip the comparison at $182 vs $179, with Sao Luis cheaper for home cooking.
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
Gostivar vs Sao Luis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gostivar or Sao Luis?
Sao Luis wins on cost – living expenses run 5% lower than in Gostivar. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Sao Luis the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Gostivar or in Sao Luis?
Average pay runs 134% higher in Gostivar, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Gostivar compared to Sao Luis?
Rent for a central apartment: $286 in Gostivar versus $388 in Sao Luis. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Gostivar compared to Sao Luis?
All in, you'll spend $802 per month in Gostivar versus $764 in Sao Luis – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Gostivar compared to Sao Luis?
A monthly transit pass in Sao Luis runs roughly 71% less than in Gostivar. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Gostivar or in Sao Luis?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Sao Luis gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Gostivar or Sao Luis?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Sao Luis gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Gostivar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.