😐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 – Skopje19% lower, Kumanovo41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47MKD 394
$5.73MKD 302
30.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.48MKD 1,818
$28.55MKD 1,505
20.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.60MKD 348
$4.97MKD 262
32.80%
Cappuccino
$2.29MKD 121
$1.59MKD 84.0
44.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96MKD 103
$1.59MKD 84.0
23.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29MKD 68.0
$1.16MKD 61.0
11.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.57MKD 135
$1.55MKD 82.0
65.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30MKD 174
$1.74MKD 91.6
89.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.34MKD 70.5
$1.32MKD 69.4
1.52%
White Bread(500g)
$0.77MKD 40.43
$0.62MKD 32.61
24.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69MKD 89.1
$1.78MKD 93.9
-5.06%
Eggs
$2.25MKD 118
$2.09MKD 110
7.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.97MKD 473
$6.93MKD 365
29.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.11MKD 428
$7.28MKD 384
11.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.90MKD 733
$11.40MKD 601
21.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02MKD 54.0
$0.63MKD 33.12
61.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36MKD 71.9
$1.38MKD 72.8
-1.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.36MKD 71.9
$1.30MKD 68.4
4.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.16MKD 114
$1.06MKD 55.7
103.77%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84MKD 44.15
$0.98MKD 51.5
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98MKD 51.8
$0.78MKD 41.31
25.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71MKD 37.48
$0.55MKD 28.75
29.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55MKD 29.19
$0.52MKD 27.68
5.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.20MKD 169
$3.05MKD 161
4.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.53MKD 397
$7.48MKD 394
0.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05MKD 55.6
$1.01MKD 53.4
3.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58MKD 83.1
$1.04MKD 55.1
51.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.78MKD 40.93
$0.67MKD 35.44
16.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.32MKD 1,493
$19.99MKD 1,054
41.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92MKD 48.28
$1.15MKD 60.8
-20.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.50MKD 26.25
$0.49MKD 25.98
2.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.32MKD 386
$6.61MKD 349
10.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MKD 81.0
$1.45MKD 76.2
6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4KMKD 1.8M
$32.3KMKD 1.7M
6.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0KMKD 1.6M
$34.4KMKD 1.8M
-12.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160MKD 8,457
$122MKD 6,414
31.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.02MKD 950
$16.71MKD 881
7.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.00MKD 1,002
$15.80MKD 833
20.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.49MKD 2,082
$19.13MKD 1,009
106.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.78MKD 938
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.38MKD 336
$4.77MKD 252
33.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$322MKD 17.0K
$217MKD 11.4K
48.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,517MKD 238.2K
$1,184MKD 62.4K
281.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.5MKD 4,137
$38.07MKD 2,008
106.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.91MKD 2,105
$47.60MKD 2,510
-16.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101MKD 5,327
$73.5MKD 3,876
37.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110MKD 5,813
$47.89MKD 2,525
130.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$423MKD 22.3K
$258MKD 13.6K
63.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$311MKD 16.4K
$213MKD 11.2K
46.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$626MKD 33.0K
$557MKD 29.4K
12.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465MKD 24.5K
$311MKD 16.4K
49.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,841MKD 149.8K
$1,676MKD 88.4K
69.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,883MKD 99.3K
$1,502MKD 79.2K
25.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Kumanovo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$888MKD 46.8K
$585MKD 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.