Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Kumanovo Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Kumanovo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,083 per month in Skopje vs $789 in Kumanovo, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,616 per month in Skopje vs $1,166 in Kumanovo, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,149 per month in Skopje vs $1,543 in Kumanovo, rent included.

Skopje costs about 37% more than Kumanovo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Skopje and Kumanovo are more affordable than the global median – Skopje 19% lower, Kumanovo 41% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47 MKD 394
$5.73 MKD 302
30.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.48 MKD 1,818
$28.55 MKD 1,505
20.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.60 MKD 348
$4.97 MKD 262
32.80%
Cappuccino
$2.29 MKD 121
$1.59 MKD 84.0
44.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 MKD 103
$1.59 MKD 84.0
23.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 MKD 68.0
$1.16 MKD 61.0
11.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.57 MKD 135
$1.55 MKD 82.0
65.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 MKD 174
$1.74 MKD 91.6
89.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 MKD 70.5
$1.32 MKD 69.4
1.52%
White Bread (500g)
$0.77 MKD 40.43
$0.62 MKD 32.61
24.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.69 MKD 89.1
$1.78 MKD 93.9
-5.06%
Eggs
$2.25 MKD 118
$2.09 MKD 110
7.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.97 MKD 473
$6.93 MKD 365
29.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.11 MKD 428
$7.28 MKD 384
11.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 MKD 733
$11.40 MKD 601
21.93%
Apples (1kg)
$1.02 MKD 54.0
$0.63 MKD 33.12
61.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 MKD 71.9
$1.38 MKD 72.8
-1.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.36 MKD 71.9
$1.30 MKD 68.4
4.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.16 MKD 114
$1.06 MKD 55.7
103.77%
Potato (1kg)
$0.84 MKD 44.15
$0.98 MKD 51.5
-14.29%
Onion (1kg)
$0.98 MKD 51.8
$0.78 MKD 41.31
25.64%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 MKD 37.48
$0.55 MKD 28.75
29.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 MKD 29.19
$0.52 MKD 27.68
5.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.20 MKD 169
$3.05 MKD 161
4.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.53 MKD 397
$7.48 MKD 394
0.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05 MKD 55.6
$1.01 MKD 53.4
3.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 MKD 83.1
$1.04 MKD 55.1
51.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 MKD 40.93
$0.67 MKD 35.44
16.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.32 MKD 1,493
$19.99 MKD 1,054
41.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 MKD 48.28
$1.15 MKD 60.8
-20.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.50 MKD 26.25
$0.49 MKD 25.98
2.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.32 MKD 386
$6.61 MKD 349
10.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 MKD 81.0
$1.45 MKD 76.2
6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K MKD 1.8M
$32.3K MKD 1.7M
6.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0K MKD 1.6M
$34.4K MKD 1.8M
-12.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$160 MKD 8,457
$122 MKD 6,414
31.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.02 MKD 950
$16.71 MKD 881
7.84%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.00 MKD 1,002
$15.80 MKD 833
20.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.49 MKD 2,082
$19.13 MKD 1,009
106.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.78 MKD 938
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.38 MKD 336
$4.77 MKD 252
33.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$322 MKD 17.0K
$217 MKD 11.4K
48.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,517 MKD 238.2K
$1,184 MKD 62.4K
281.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.5 MKD 4,137
$38.07 MKD 2,008
106.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.91 MKD 2,105
$47.60 MKD 2,510
-16.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 MKD 5,327
$73.5 MKD 3,876
37.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 MKD 5,813
$47.89 MKD 2,525
130.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$423 MKD 22.3K
$258 MKD 13.6K
63.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$311 MKD 16.4K
$213 MKD 11.2K
46.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$626 MKD 33.0K
$557 MKD 29.4K
12.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$465 MKD 24.5K
$311 MKD 16.4K
49.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,841 MKD 149.8K
$1,676 MKD 88.4K
69.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,883 MKD 99.3K
$1,502 MKD 79.2K
25.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$888 MKD 46.8K
$585 MKD 30.8K
51.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.54
4
13.50%

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

Last update for Skopje: April 28, 2026

Last update for Kumanovo: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Skopje versus $258 in Kumanovo. 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 52% higher in Skopje, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34.00 in Skopje versus $29.00 in Kumanovo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $213 vs $183 – making Kumanovo 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
Skopje vs Kumanovo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Skopje and Kumanovo compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,083 in Skopje, $789 in Kumanovo – roughly 37% apart. Skopje costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Skopje compared to Kumanovo?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,625 per month in Skopje and $1,183 in Kumanovo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Skopje and Kumanovo?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kumanovo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Skopje or Kumanovo?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,083 in Skopje and $789 in Kumanovo. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Skopje and Kumanovo?
Public transport costs about 42% less in Kumanovo. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kumanovo, where all-in costs run around $789, than in Skopje at $1,083. In Kumanovo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Skopje it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Skopje and Kumanovo?
It depends on your priorities. Skopje has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $789 in Kumanovo to $1,083 in Skopje. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Skopje or Kumanovo safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Skopje and Kumanovo?
If budget matters most, go with Kumanovo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, 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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