😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $867 in North Macedonia versus $389 in India.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,296 in North Macedonia versus $618 in India.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,725 in North Macedonia versus $846 in India.
😐Living in North Macedonia is roughly 123% more expensive than India on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: North Macedonia35% lower, India71% lower.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in India: monthly costs span $270 to $887, compared to $759–$1,083 in North Macedonia. City choice carries more weight in India.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.70MKD 405
$2.58₹244
198.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.92MKD 1,519
$14.07₹1,332
105.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.73MKD 301
$4.14₹392
38.41%
Cappuccino
$1.95MKD 102
$1.81₹171
7.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79MKD 94.0
$0.43₹40.80
316.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17MKD 61.7
$0.16₹15.44
631.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.28MKD 120
$1.96₹186
16.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85MKD 149
$3.47₹329
-17.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29MKD 67.9
$0.72₹68.3
79.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.77MKD 40.61
$0.49₹46.06
57.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68MKD 88.0
$0.67₹63.6
150.75%
Eggs
$2.23MKD 117
$0.99₹93.7
125.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.00MKD 472
$5.14₹487
75.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.20MKD 378
$3.20₹303
125.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.44MKD 653
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.05MKD 55.0
$2.21₹209
-52.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41MKD 73.8
$0.70₹66.1
101.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.29MKD 67.9
$1.05₹99.0
22.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.93MKD 101
$0.53₹49.89
264.15%
Potato(1kg)
$0.92MKD 48.14
$0.43₹40.45
113.95%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98MKD 51.2
$0.49₹45.99
100.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65MKD 34.31
$0.52₹49.05
25.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56MKD 29.65
$0.32₹30.71
75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15MKD 166
$4.13₹390
-23.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.55MKD 344
$7.55₹714
-13.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MKD 56.3
$1.82₹172
-41.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43MKD 75.3
$2.88₹273
-50.35%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$5.63₹533
-
🚌 Getting Around
North Macedonia
India
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77MKD 40.19
$0.34₹31.76
126.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.52MKD 1,498
$9.70₹918
194.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.10MKD 57.9
$0.97₹91.5
13.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62MKD 32.43
$0.28₹26.17
121.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.72MKD 405
$1.70₹160
354.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.50MKD 78.9
$1.23₹117
21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4KMKD 1.8M
$13.7K₹1.3M
143.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KMKD 1.6M
$23.0K₹2.2M
34.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$152MKD 7,975
$40.37₹3,819
276.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.97MKD 944
$3.90₹369
360.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.28MKD 960
$7.98₹755
129.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.94MKD 1,625
$16.26₹1,538
90.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.41MKD 757
$7.63₹722
88.86%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65MKD 349
$3.56₹336
86.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$281MKD 14.8K
$70.8₹6,695
297.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,094MKD 215.0K
$1,810₹171.2K
126.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.4MKD 3,750
$24.95₹2,361
186.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.96MKD 2,204
$26.83₹2,539
56.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.2MKD 4,997
$45.39₹4,294
109.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110MKD 5,751
$33.38₹3,159
228.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
North Macedonia
India
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$342MKD 18.0K
$173₹16.3K
98.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$262MKD 13.8K
$113₹10.7K
131.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$562MKD 29.5K
$412₹39.0K
36.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$396MKD 20.8K
$257₹24.3K
53.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995MKD 104.8K
$1,260₹119.2K
58.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,489MKD 78.2K
$631₹59.7K
136.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
North Macedonia
India
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$782MKD 41.1K
$432₹40.9K
81.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.76
9.02
-47.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for North Macedonia: April 26, 2026
Last update for India: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $282 in North Macedonia, $127 in India. Capital cities: $423 in Skopje vs $242 in Delhi.
💰National salary averages: $685 in North Macedonia, $401 in India. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 122% higher in North Macedonia.
⭐Dining out costs 136% more in North Macedonia.
⭐Public transport is 133% more expensive in North Macedonia.
⭐Salaries are 71% higher in North Macedonia, giving India stronger purchasing power.
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
North Macedonia vs India: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between India and North Macedonia?
At $579 per month in India and $921 in North Macedonia, there's a 59% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
India is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in North Macedonia beats India across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in India or North Macedonia?
In India, $1,000 covers most cities easily. In North Macedonia, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to India or North Macedonia?
It depends on what you're after. India wins on affordability; North Macedonia may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.
North Macedonia vs other spots: cost of living compared