πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $857 in Kocani.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,277 in Kocani.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,697 in Kocani.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 19% more expensive than Kocani, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Kocani36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.68MKDΒ 302
4.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$28.13MKDΒ 1,492
18.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.11MKDΒ 271
41.49%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.15MKDΒ 61.3
41.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.48MKDΒ 78.7
-26.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.15MKDΒ 60.9
-36.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.27MKDΒ 121
-23.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.73MKDΒ 145
18.32%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.29MKDΒ 68.3
-18.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.54MKDΒ 28.91
138.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.54MKDΒ 81.6
-14.29%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.92MKDΒ 102
18.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.08MKDΒ 535
-56.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.74MKDΒ 304
2.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$13.64MKDΒ 724
-36.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.71MKDΒ 37.93
216.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.37MKDΒ 72.8
-21.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.31MKDΒ 69.7
16.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.54MKDΒ 81.9
-7.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.97MKDΒ 51.6
20.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.34MKDΒ 71.0
-12.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.54MKDΒ 28.68
64.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.52MKDΒ 27.76
73.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.96MKDΒ 157
-23.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$3.78MKDΒ 200
192.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.99MKDΒ 52.6
15.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.81MKDΒ 96.2
31.49%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.69MKDΒ 36.50
21.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$20.43MKDΒ 1,084
105.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.15MKDΒ 61.0
22.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.49MKDΒ 25.79
287.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$3.77MKDΒ 200
105.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.44MKDΒ 76.6
-29.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.2KMKDΒ 1.7M
-45.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.6KMKDΒ 1.8M
-21.24%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$143MKDΒ 7,565
-41.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$17.50MKDΒ 928
-46.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$15.76MKDΒ 836
52.98%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$20.37MKDΒ 1,081
24.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.81MKDΒ 255
-14.76%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$216MKDΒ 11.5K
44.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$1,201MKDΒ 63.7K
398.99%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$77.2MKDΒ 4,097
-24.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$47.07MKDΒ 2,497
-30.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$75.5MKDΒ 4,004
32.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$111MKDΒ 5,911
-2.57%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$282MKDΒ 14.9K
71.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$195MKDΒ 10.3K
94.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$563MKDΒ 29.9K
48.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$315MKDΒ 16.7K
129.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,512MKDΒ 80.2K
87.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,239MKDΒ 65.7K
-1.29%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kocani
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$461MKDΒ 24.5K
17.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.1
89.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kocani: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $282 in Kocani. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 17% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $28.00 in Kocani for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $187 per month, with Kocani 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
Medellin vs Kocani: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Kocani?
Medellin and Kocani differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $857 including rent). Kocani is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Kocani?
Medellin pays 17% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Kocani?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $282 in Kocani. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Kocani?
A monthly transit pass in Kocani runs roughly 105% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Kocani?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $216 in Kocani. 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 $857 in Kocani versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kocani but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kocani the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kocani?
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.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Kocani?
Expats usually find Kocani gentler on the wallet β expenses run 19% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.