🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $389 in India versus $866 in North Macedonia.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $618 in India versus $1,293 in North Macedonia.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $846 in India versus $1,719 in North Macedonia.
🙂Living in India costs about 55% less than in North Macedonia on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: India71% lower, North Macedonia36% lower.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in India: monthly costs span $267 to $883, compared to $759–$1,105 in North Macedonia. City choice carries more weight in India.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.62₹249
$7.58MKD 402
-65.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.81₹1,313
$28.00MKD 1,486
-50.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.03₹383
$5.80MKD 308
-30.52%
Cappuccino
$1.81₹173
$1.84MKD 97.8
-1.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44₹41.73
$1.75MKD 92.7
-74.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19₹18.21
$1.23MKD 65.3
-84.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.93₹183
$2.32MKD 123
-16.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41₹324
$2.89MKD 153
17.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71₹67.6
$1.30MKD 69.2
-45.38%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52₹49.46
$0.71MKD 37.48
-26.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.67₹63.8
$1.61MKD 85.3
-58.39%
Eggs
$1.00₹95.0
$2.25MKD 119
-55.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.44₹517
$8.88MKD 471
-38.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.22₹307
$7.41MKD 393
-56.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$12.27MKD 651
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.16₹206
$0.99MKD 52.6
118.18%
Banana(1kg)
$0.70₹66.6
$1.42MKD 75.5
-50.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.05₹99.6
$1.30MKD 69.0
-19.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54₹51.0
$1.91MKD 101
-71.73%
Potato(1kg)
$0.43₹40.49
$0.93MKD 49.27
-53.76%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49₹46.19
$0.99MKD 52.3
-50.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55₹52.0
$0.68MKD 36.27
-19.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35₹33.40
$0.56MKD 29.98
-37.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97₹377
$3.13MKD 166
26.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.49₹712
$6.37MKD 338
17.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91₹182
$1.04MKD 55.1
83.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92₹278
$1.47MKD 78.1
98.64%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.89₹560
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
India
North Macedonia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33₹31.64
$0.77MKD 41.11
-57.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.82₹934
$28.14MKD 1,493
-65.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91₹86.5
$1.15MKD 61.1
-20.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28₹26.23
$0.56MKD 29.79
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.76₹167
$7.67MKD 407
-77.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22₹116
$1.53MKD 81.4
-20.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.8K₹1.3M
$34.5KMKD 1.8M
-60.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8K₹2.2M
$31.1KMKD 1.6M
-26.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.60₹3,862
$149MKD 7,879
-72.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.90₹370
$17.59MKD 933
-77.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.00₹761
$18.74MKD 994
-57.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.96₹1,518
$31.81MKD 1,688
-49.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.79₹741
$14.49MKD 769
-46.24%
Cinema Ticket
$3.58₹340
$6.50MKD 345
-44.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$69.7₹6,628
$283MKD 15.0K
-75.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,809₹172.0K
$4,106MKD 217.9K
-55.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.66₹2,440
$69.6MKD 3,695
-63.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.13₹2,580
$41.42MKD 2,198
-34.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$46.37₹4,410
$96.9MKD 5,140
-52.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.55₹3,095
$111MKD 5,866
-70.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
India
North Macedonia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$175₹16.6K
$349MKD 18.5K
-49.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$114₹10.8K
$257MKD 13.7K
-55.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$401₹38.1K
$574MKD 30.4K
-30.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$259₹24.6K
$399MKD 21.2K
-35.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,220₹116.1K
$2,026MKD 107.5K
-39.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$629₹59.8K
$1,397MKD 74.1K
-54.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
India
North Macedonia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$428₹40.7K
$750MKD 39.8K
-42.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.02
4.76
89.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for India: June 9, 2026
Last update for North Macedonia: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $126 in India, $285 in North Macedonia. Capital cities: $236 in Delhi vs $429 in Skopje.
💰National salary averages: $398 in India, $662 in North Macedonia. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 126% higher in North Macedonia.
⭐Dining out costs 136% more in North Macedonia.
⭐Public transport is 133% more expensive in North Macedonia.
⭐Salaries are 66% higher in North Macedonia, giving India stronger purchasing power.
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
India vs North Macedonia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between India and North Macedonia?
At $575 per month in India and $932 in North Macedonia, there's a 62% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
India is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in North Macedonia beats India across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in India or North Macedonia?
In India, $1,000 covers most cities easily. In North Macedonia, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to India or North Macedonia?
It depends on what you're after. India wins on affordability; North Macedonia may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.