πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,000 in Tetovo, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,479 in Tetovo, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,958 in Tetovo, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 2% more than Tetovo, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and Tetovo are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Tetovo26% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.70MKDΒ 303
4.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$25.85MKDΒ 1,372
28.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.93MKDΒ 262
46.65%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.53MKDΒ 81.3
6.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.49MKDΒ 78.8
-26.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.03MKDΒ 54.6
-29.13%
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
$2.10MKDΒ 112
53.81%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.24MKDΒ 65.9
-15.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.69MKDΒ 36.76
86.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.37MKDΒ 72.6
-3.65%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.04MKDΒ 108
11.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.53MKDΒ 400
-42.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.37MKDΒ 285
9.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.45MKDΒ 555
-17.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.03MKDΒ 54.7
118.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.42MKDΒ 75.5
-24.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.01MKDΒ 53.7
50.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.64MKDΒ 87.0
-13.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.98MKDΒ 51.8
19.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.77MKDΒ 41.07
51.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.86MKDΒ 45.64
3.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.52MKDΒ 27.62
73.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.18MKDΒ 169
-29.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$4.80MKDΒ 255
130.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.94MKDΒ 49.76
21.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.46MKDΒ 77.2
63.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.39MKDΒ 20.71
115.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$11.20MKDΒ 594
274.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.16MKDΒ 61.5
21.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.50MKDΒ 26.49
280.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.51MKDΒ 346
19.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.42MKDΒ 75.3
-28.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$31.6KMKDΒ 1.7M
-44.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.9KMKDΒ 1.8M
-21.79%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$146MKDΒ 7,757
-42.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$17.86MKDΒ 947
-47.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$15.62MKDΒ 829
54.35%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$89.8MKDΒ 4,767
-71.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.58MKDΒ 243
-10.48%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$218MKDΒ 11.6K
42.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,239MKDΒ 118.8K
167.72%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$64.7MKDΒ 3,432
-10.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$47.99MKDΒ 2,546
-32.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$75.4MKDΒ 3,998
32.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$111MKDΒ 5,903
-2.44%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$369MKDΒ 19.6K
30.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$284MKDΒ 15.1K
33.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$611MKDΒ 32.4K
37.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$494MKDΒ 26.2K
46.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,277MKDΒ 67.8K
122.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,144MKDΒ 60.7K
6.88%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tetovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$917MKDΒ 48.7K
-41.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.75
258.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Tetovo: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $369 in Tetovo. 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 70% higher in Tetovo, 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 $26.00 in Tetovo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $171 β making Tetovo 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 Tetovo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tetovo cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,500 in Tetovo. 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 Tetovo, 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 Tetovo?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,000 in Tetovo. 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 Tetovo?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Tetovo, where all-in costs run around $1,000, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Tetovo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Tetovo more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tetovo β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Tetovo. 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.