Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ohrid and Skopje

For one person, living is cheaper in Ohrid: $971 a month against $1,112 in Skopje, rent and utilities included – about $1,700 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Skopje outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Ohrid, North Macedonia
Skopje, North Macedonia
Ohrid
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
$971
/mo nomad
Skopje
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
$1,112
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ohrid and in Skopje

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ohrid and in Skopje actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $971 per month in Ohrid vs $1,112 in Skopje, rent included.

  • Ohrid $971
  • Skopje $1,112

A couple spends around $1,542 per month in Ohrid vs $1,657 in Skopje, rent included.

  • Ohrid $1,542
  • Skopje $1,657

A family of three spends $2,114 per month in Ohrid vs $2,202 in Skopje, rent included.

  • Ohrid $2,114
  • Skopje $2,202

Ohrid is about 13% cheaper than Skopje, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both Ohrid and Skopje are more affordable than the global median – Ohrid 29% lower, Skopje 18% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.30 MKD 402
$9.68 MKD 534
-24.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.62 MKD 2,018
$34.35 MKD 1,894
6.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.29 MKD 402
$6.52 MKD 360
11.81%
Cappuccino
$2.67 MKD 147
$2.14 MKD 118
24.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 MKD 162
$1.81 MKD 99.8
62.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 MKD 102
$1.38 MKD 76.1
34.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.58 MKD 197
$2.68 MKD 148
33.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 MKD 249
$3.03 MKD 167
49.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 MKD 70.2
$1.28 MKD 70.4
-0.78%
White Bread (500g)
$0.75 MKD 41.26
$0.74 MKD 40.87
1.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 MKD 90.9
$1.85 MKD 102
-10.81%
Eggs
$2.23 MKD 123
$2.50 MKD 138
-10.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.01 MKD 441
$8.11 MKD 447
-1.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.41 MKD 464
$7.36 MKD 406
14.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.71 MKD 811
$15.00 MKD 827
-1.93%
Apples (1kg)
$1.05 MKD 57.7
$1.43 MKD 78.7
-26.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 MKD 72.4
$1.41 MKD 77.5
-7.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.57 MKD 86.3
$1.31 MKD 72.4
19.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 MKD 109
$1.86 MKD 103
6.45%
Potato (1kg)
$1.07 MKD 59.1
$0.88 MKD 48.43
21.59%
Onion (1kg)
$1.35 MKD 74.4
$0.78 MKD 42.84
73.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 MKD 56.8
$0.63 MKD 34.73
63.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 MKD 42.80
$0.59 MKD 32.41
32.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36 MKD 185
$3.36 MKD 185
-
Wine (Bottle)
$5.60 MKD 308
$7.48 MKD 412
-25.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 MKD 58.2
$1.06 MKD 58.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 MKD 83.0
$1.50 MKD 82.5
0.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.10 MKD 60.7
$0.71 MKD 38.92
54.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.88 MKD 1,316
$25.73 MKD 1,418
-7.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.11 MKD 61.2
$1.08 MKD 59.3
2.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.89 MKD 49.13
$0.57 MKD 31.68
56.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.23 MKD 509
$7.50 MKD 413
23.07%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.50 MKD 82.7
$1.59 MKD 87.6
-5.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K MKD 1.7M
$34.3K MKD 1.9M
-12.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5K MKD 1.7M
$26.1K MKD 1.4M
17.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 MKD 7,153
$158 MKD 8,729
-18.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.33 MKD 1,010
$18.80 MKD 1,036
-2.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.69 MKD 1,526
$19.20 MKD 1,058
44.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.42 MKD 1,842
$37.03 MKD 2,041
-9.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.89 MKD 986
$17.35 MKD 956
3.11%
Cinema Ticket
$6.27 MKD 346
$7.44 MKD 410
-15.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$276 MKD 15.2K
$369 MKD 20.3K
-24.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,321 MKD 183.0K
$5,668 MKD 312.4K
-41.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.9 MKD 5,395
$85.6 MKD 4,717
14.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.0 MKD 2,923
$36.99 MKD 2,039
43.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.9 MKD 5,504
$101 MKD 5,594
-1.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$130 MKD 7,184
$112 MKD 6,189
16.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$282 MKD 15.5K
$394 MKD 21.7K
-28.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$171 MKD 9,441
$314 MKD 17.3K
-45.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$554 MKD 30.5K
$715 MKD 39.4K
-22.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$363 MKD 20.0K
$483 MKD 26.6K
-24.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,088 MKD 115.1K
$2,745 MKD 151.3K
-23.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,299 MKD 71.6K
$1,844 MKD 101.6K
-29.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ohrid
Skopje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$623 MKD 34.4K
$876 MKD 48.3K
-28.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.3
4.23
72.58%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ohrid: October 24, 2026

Last update for Skopje: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Ohrid
$214
Skopje
$211 1.5% $3.2
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ohrid
$176
Skopje
$196 11.7% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Ohrid
$171
Skopje
$151 11.7% $20
Accommodation & Living
Ohrid
$171
Skopje
$314 83.1% $142
Eating Out
Ohrid
$158
Skopje
$155 2.2% $3.4
Sport & Entertainment
Ohrid
$46
Skopje
$52 12.9% $5.9
Getting Around
Ohrid
$34
Skopje
$33 4% $1.3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $282 in Ohrid versus $394 in Skopje. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 40% higher in Skopje. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $37 in Ohrid versus $34 in Skopje. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $214 vs $211 – making Skopje the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇰 Ohrid
🇲🇰 Skopje
🕒 Local time
21:33 9:33 PM
21:33 9:33 PM
Same time as Ohrid
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
38,940
422,540 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MKD – North Macedonian Denar Converter

North Macedonian Denar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 55.12 MKD (100 MKD = 1.81 USD). 1 EUR = 61.36 MKD (100 MKD = 1.63 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ohrid Skopje 110 km
From you
  • Ohrid
  • Skopje

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Ohrid vs Skopje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ohrid or Skopje?
Skopje costs about 15% more than Ohrid, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from leisure. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ohrid and in Skopje?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,456 per month in Ohrid and $1,667 in Skopje. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ohrid or Skopje?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ohrid, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $282 there versus $394 in Skopje.
How much does it cost to live in Ohrid compared to Skopje?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $971 in Ohrid and $1,112 in Skopje. That makes Ohrid about 13% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Ohrid and in Skopje?
Kindergarten costs $276 per month in Ohrid and $369 in Skopje. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Ohrid or in Skopje?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $971 in Ohrid and $1,112 in Skopje. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ohrid or Skopje?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ohrid costs $971 versus $1,112 in Skopje. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Ohrid or to Skopje?
If budget matters most, go with Ohrid. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Skopje makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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