πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $882 in Strumica, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,258 in Strumica, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,634 in Strumica, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 15% more than Strumica, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Strumica are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Strumica34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.83MKDΒ 202
56.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$27.98MKDΒ 1,475
17.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$5.13MKDΒ 270
38.21%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.64MKDΒ 86.5
4.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.53MKDΒ 80.9
-28.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$1.14MKDΒ 60.2
-31.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.92MKDΒ 101
-12.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.27MKDΒ 119
35.24%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.35MKDΒ 71.3
-19.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.73MKDΒ 38.35
72.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.76MKDΒ 92.6
-21.59%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.05MKDΒ 108
6.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.30MKDΒ 543
-57.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.44MKDΒ 339
-12.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$10.39MKDΒ 548
-14.44%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$0.68MKDΒ 35.72
244.12%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.39MKDΒ 73.3
-23.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.19MKDΒ 62.6
26.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.57MKDΒ 82.8
-12.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.89MKDΒ 47.01
29.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.83MKDΒ 43.56
39.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.58MKDΒ 30.73
53.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.57MKDΒ 30.12
47.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.80MKDΒ 147
-18.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.55MKDΒ 292
91.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.91MKDΒ 47.91
31.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.20MKDΒ 63.2
105.83%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.78MKDΒ 41.24
10.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$20.41MKDΒ 1,075
102.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.15MKDΒ 60.8
27.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.49MKDΒ 25.80
300.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.68MKDΒ 352
15.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.50MKDΒ 79.2
-36.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$32.5KMKDΒ 1.7M
-44.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$33.4KMKDΒ 1.8M
-20.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$146MKDΒ 7,709
-43.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$13.16MKDΒ 694
-27.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$15.48MKDΒ 816
56.52%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$20.48MKDΒ 1,079
26.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.56MKDΒ 241
-13.82%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$215MKDΒ 11.3K
43.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,202MKDΒ 63.4K
396.16%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$75.4MKDΒ 3,974
-22.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$47.43MKDΒ 2,500
-31.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$73.6MKDΒ 3,879
39.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$93.8MKDΒ 4,943
15.61%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$321MKDΒ 16.9K
48.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$242MKDΒ 12.8K
56.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$507MKDΒ 26.7K
65.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$304MKDΒ 16.0K
137.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,502MKDΒ 79.2K
85.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$994MKDΒ 52.4K
21.91%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Strumica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$649MKDΒ 34.2K
-21.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4
235.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Strumica: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $321 in Strumica. 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 27% higher in Strumica, 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 $28.00 in Strumica. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $186 β making Strumica 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 Strumica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strumica cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,323 in Strumica. 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 Strumica, 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 Strumica?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $882 in Strumica. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Strumica?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Strumica, where all-in costs run around $882, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Strumica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Strumica more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Strumica 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 Strumica?
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 Strumica. 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.