Cost of Living Comparison Between Iasi and SkopjeCost of Living Comparison Between Iasi and Skopje
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,137 per month in Iasi vs $1,112 in Skopje, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,720 per month in Iasi vs $1,621 in Skopje, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,303 per month in Iasi vs $2,130 in Skopje, rent included.
😐Iasi costs about 2% more than Skopje, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Iasi and Skopje are more affordable than the global median – Iasi15% lower, Skopje17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.52RON 47.59
$7.57MKD 399
38.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.4RON 232
$34.02MKD 1,791
51.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.73RON 30.46
$6.65MKD 350
1.20%
Cappuccino
$2.68RON 12.13
$2.19MKD 115
22.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08RON 9.39
$1.94MKD 102
7.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74RON 7.88
$1.28MKD 67.5
35.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.46RON 11.12
$2.70MKD 142
-8.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42RON 15.47
$3.47MKD 183
-1.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.40RON 6.33
$1.34MKD 70.6
4.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22RON 5.51
$0.82MKD 43.34
48.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87RON 8.45
$1.75MKD 92.4
6.86%
Eggs
$3.21RON 14.51
$2.19MKD 115
46.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.95RON 35.98
$9.22MKD 485
-13.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.70RON 30.32
$7.99MKD 421
-16.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.99RON 49.71
$13.63MKD 718
-19.37%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24RON 5.61
$1.01MKD 53.3
22.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62RON 7.33
$1.41MKD 74.4
14.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73RON 7.84
$1.32MKD 69.6
31.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97RON 8.90
$2.17MKD 114
-9.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99RON 4.48
$0.88MKD 46.53
12.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.05RON 4.73
$0.92MKD 48.49
14.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04RON 4.68
$0.71MKD 37.39
46.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86RON 3.89
$0.58MKD 30.57
48.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.37RON 28.85
$3.15MKD 166
102.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.61RON 29.92
$7.41MKD 390
-10.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09RON 4.95
$1.06MKD 55.8
2.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98RON 8.96
$1.51MKD 79.7
31.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85RON 3.84
$0.77MKD 40.40
10.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.13RON 123
$27.67MKD 1,457
-1.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89RON 4.03
$0.98MKD 51.4
-9.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70RON 3.16
$0.49MKD 25.59
42.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84RON 35.48
$7.60MKD 400
3.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.66RON 7.51
$1.47MKD 77.3
12.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRON 129.2K
$34.0KMKD 1.8M
-16.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KRON 123.7K
$29.6KMKD 1.6M
-7.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$156RON 708
$160MKD 8,438
-2.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.47RON 38.35
$18.34MKD 965
-53.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.21RON 46.22
$19.13MKD 1,007
-46.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.10RON 213
$38.37MKD 2,020
22.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.25RON 82.6
$17.56MKD 925
3.93%
Cinema Ticket
$8.17RON 36.99
$6.72MKD 354
21.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$463RON 2,095
$312MKD 16.4K
48.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,028RON 31.8K
$4,509MKD 237.4K
55.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3RON 282
$77.2MKD 4,063
-19.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.79RON 194
$40.43MKD 2,129
5.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.4RON 391
$100MKD 5,270
-13.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.9RON 393
$110MKD 5,804
-21.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$474RON 2,147
$429MKD 22.6K
10.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$361RON 1,635
$310MKD 16.3K
16.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$750RON 3,395
$645MKD 34.0K
16.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$550RON 2,491
$459MKD 24.1K
20.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,076RON 13.9K
$2,801MKD 147.5K
9.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,997RON 9,036
$1,829MKD 96.3K
9.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iasi
Skopje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,191RON 5,389
$913MKD 48.1K
30.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.37
4.54
62.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Iasi: May 31, 2026
Last update for Skopje: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $474 in Iasi versus $429 in Skopje. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 30% higher in Iasi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Iasi versus $34.00 in Skopje. Groceries tell a different story – $212 in Iasi vs $213 in Skopje – so Iasi wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Iasi vs Skopje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Iasi and Skopje compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,137 in Iasi, $1,112 in Skopje – roughly 2% apart. Iasi costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Iasi compared to Skopje?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,706 per month in Iasi and $1,667 in Skopje. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Iasi and Skopje?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Skopje, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Iasi and Skopje?
Public transport costs about 2% less in Skopje. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Iasi and Skopje?
Kindergarten costs $463 per month in Iasi and $312 in Skopje. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Skopje, where all-in costs run around $1,112, than in Iasi at $1,137. In Skopje it covers expenses comfortably, while in Iasi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Iasi and Skopje?
It depends on your priorities. Skopje has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,112 in Skopje to $1,137 in Iasi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Iasi or Skopje safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Iasi and Skopje?
If budget matters most, go with Skopje. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Iasi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.