πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $808 in Struga, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,194 in Struga, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,580 in Struga, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 28% more than Struga, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Struga are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Struga40% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$7.47MKDΒ 394
-20.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$30.53MKDΒ 1,610
7.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$4.74MKDΒ 250
51.90%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.58MKDΒ 83.1
7.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.78MKDΒ 93.7
-38.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$1.23MKDΒ 64.8
-41.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.65MKDΒ 140
-36.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.35MKDΒ 177
-7.46%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.19MKDΒ 62.8
-10.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.67MKDΒ 35.56
86.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.76MKDΒ 92.8
-21.02%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.07MKDΒ 109
9.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$6.68MKDΒ 352
-35.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$5.49MKDΒ 289
6.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$9.31MKDΒ 491
-5.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$0.55MKDΒ 28.88
307.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.32MKDΒ 69.7
-18.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$0.95MKDΒ 50.3
61.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.16MKDΒ 61.0
18.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.72MKDΒ 38.09
56.94%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.99MKDΒ 52.0
13.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.58MKDΒ 30.47
46.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.40MKDΒ 20.93
127.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$3.26MKDΒ 172
-28.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$4.63MKDΒ 244
140.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.10MKDΒ 57.9
8.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.00MKDΒ 53.0
137.00%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Struga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.63MKDΒ 33.22
25.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$20.30MKDΒ 1,070
102.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.96MKDΒ 50.8
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.50MKDΒ 26.25
282.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$7.54MKDΒ 398
6.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.47MKDΒ 77.6
-36.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$33.6KMKDΒ 1.8M
-46.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$29.9KMKDΒ 1.6M
-10.36%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$90.7MKDΒ 4,783
-7.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$15.09MKDΒ 796
-36.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$19.15MKDΒ 1,010
26.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$26.68MKDΒ 1,407
-3.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$22.16MKDΒ 1,169
-14.08%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.38MKDΒ 336
-38.56%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$323MKDΒ 17.0K
-5.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$1,180MKDΒ 62.2K
401.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$78.3MKDΒ 4,127
-26.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$27.71MKDΒ 1,461
14.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$67.0MKDΒ 3,531
49.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$37.26MKDΒ 1,965
187.55%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Struga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$287MKDΒ 15.1K
69.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$230MKDΒ 12.1K
60.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$387MKDΒ 20.4K
113.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$318MKDΒ 16.8K
124.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$1,626MKDΒ 85.7K
79.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,431MKDΒ 75.5K
-1.69%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Struga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$1,009MKDΒ 53.2K
-45.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.5
283.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Struga: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $287 in Struga. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 85% higher in Struga, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $31.00 in Struga. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $158 β making Struga the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Struga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Struga cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 28%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,212 in Struga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Struga, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Struga?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $808 in Struga. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Struga?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Struga, where all-in costs run around $808, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Struga it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Struga more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Struga β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Struga?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Struga. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.