πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $898 in Kicevo.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,324 in Kicevo.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,749 in Kicevo.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 13% more expensive than Kicevo, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Kicevo33% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.15MKDΒ 220
43.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$19.10MKDΒ 1,014
74.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.63MKDΒ 246
56.16%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.11MKDΒ 58.8
46.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.28MKDΒ 67.8
-14.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.54MKDΒ 28.65
35.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.85MKDΒ 98.2
-5.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.87MKDΒ 152
12.54%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.28MKDΒ 68.2
-17.97%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.83MKDΒ 44.02
55.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.68MKDΒ 89.0
-21.43%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.17MKDΒ 115
4.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.12MKDΒ 484
-52.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$8.05MKDΒ 427
-26.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$13.87MKDΒ 736
-37.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.01MKDΒ 53.5
122.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.41MKDΒ 74.7
-24.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.36MKDΒ 71.9
11.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.05MKDΒ 109
-30.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.88MKDΒ 46.55
32.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.94MKDΒ 49.66
24.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.72MKDΒ 38.40
23.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.54MKDΒ 28.90
66.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.14MKDΒ 167
-28.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.75MKDΒ 305
92.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.07MKDΒ 56.7
6.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.56MKDΒ 83.0
52.56%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.68MKDΒ 36.18
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$20.23MKDΒ 1,073
107.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.96MKDΒ 50.9
46.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.53MKDΒ 28.21
258.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.62MKDΒ 404
1.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.53MKDΒ 81.0
-33.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$33.3KMKDΒ 1.8M
-47.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$30.2KMKDΒ 1.6M
-12.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$159MKDΒ 8,454
-47.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$18.28MKDΒ 970
-48.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$19.24MKDΒ 1,021
25.31%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$25.98MKDΒ 1,379
-2.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.63MKDΒ 352
-38.16%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$312MKDΒ 16.6K
-0.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$1,201MKDΒ 63.7K
398.83%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$77.2MKDΒ 4,098
-24.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$40.36MKDΒ 2,141
-19.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$98.8MKDΒ 5,242
0.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$111MKDΒ 5,912
-2.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$282MKDΒ 15.0K
70.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$195MKDΒ 10.3K
94.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$575MKDΒ 30.5K
45.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$312MKDΒ 16.5K
131.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,617MKDΒ 85.8K
75.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,259MKDΒ 66.8K
-2.82%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kicevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$595MKDΒ 31.6K
-9.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.54
195.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kicevo: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $282 in Kicevo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Kicevo pays 10% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $19.00 in Kicevo. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $209, with Medellin 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
Medellin vs Kicevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Kicevo?
Medellin and Kicevo differ by about 13% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $898 including rent). Kicevo is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Kicevo earns 10% less. 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 Medellin and Kicevo?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $282 in Kicevo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Kicevo?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $898 in Kicevo β a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Kicevo?
A monthly transit pass in Kicevo runs roughly 107% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $898 in Kicevo versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kicevo but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kicevo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kicevo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Kicevo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Kicevo 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: Medellin or Kicevo?
Expats usually find Kicevo gentler on the wallet β expenses run 13% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.