😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,087 in Skopje versus $745 in Maracaibo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,634 in Skopje versus $1,249 in Maracaibo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,180 in Skopje versus $1,753 in Maracaibo.
🌍Living in Skopje is roughly 46% more expensive than in Maracaibo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Skopje19% lower, Maracaibo44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.58MKD 407
$10.59VES 7,784
-28.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.45MKD 1,794
$40.33VES 29.6K
-17.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.70MKD 359
$8.79VES 6,458
-23.78%
Cappuccino
$2.27MKD 122
$2.75VES 2,025
-17.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03MKD 109
$1.15VES 844
76.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29MKD 69.2
$1.30VES 956
-0.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.66MKD 143
$2.20VES 1,614
20.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35MKD 180
$3.03VES 2,228
10.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29MKD 69.4
$1.72VES 1,266
-25.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.76MKD 40.80
$2.01VES 1,476
-62.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67MKD 89.6
$1.11VES 817
50.45%
Eggs
$2.21MKD 119
$3.04VES 2,236
-27.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.13MKD 490
$5.90VES 4,335
54.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.78MKD 417
$5.27VES 3,874
47.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.71MKD 735
$6.34VES 4,657
116.25%
Apples(1kg)
$1.06MKD 57.1
$4.31VES 3,166
-75.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.43MKD 76.8
$1.37VES 1,007
4.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.35MKD 72.5
$1.68VES 1,238
-19.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.17MKD 116
$1.48VES 1,084
46.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89MKD 47.75
$1.17VES 861
-23.93%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90MKD 48.45
$1.69VES 1,241
-46.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.69MKD 36.92
$0.99VES 726
-30.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55MKD 29.70
$1.63VES 1,202
-66.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18MKD 170
$3.44VES 2,529
-7.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.26MKD 389
$9.27VES 6,814
-21.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MKD 57.2
$1.07VES 783
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52MKD 81.5
$2.65VES 1,946
-42.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.76MKD 40.94
$0.49VES 358
55.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.58MKD 1,533
$42.21VES 31.0K
-32.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96MKD 51.6
$3.90VES 2,866
-75.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48MKD 26.01
$1.96VES 1,443
-75.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.41MKD 397
$17.73VES 13.0K
-58.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49MKD 79.7
$0.52VES 380
186.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.7KMKD 1.8M
$22.8KVES 16.8M
47.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.3KMKD 1.6M
$31.2KVES 22.9M
-6.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160MKD 8,574
$16.36VES 12.0K
877.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.05MKD 968
$8.61VES 6,328
109.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13MKD 1,026
$25.41VES 18.7K
-24.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.66MKD 2,074
$34.13VES 25.1K
13.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.36MKD 931
$23.62VES 17.4K
-26.50%
Cinema Ticket
$6.62MKD 355
$4.97VES 3,650
33.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$320MKD 17.2K
$111VES 81.7K
188.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,642MKD 249.0K
$14.3KVES 10.5M
-67.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.5MKD 4,157
$41.23VES 30.3K
87.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.16MKD 2,154
$41.87VES 30.8K
-4.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100MKD 5,364
$58.7VES 43.1K
70.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110MKD 5,913
$59.6VES 43.8K
85.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$425MKD 22.8K
$181VES 132.7K
135.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$310MKD 16.6K
$102VES 75.1K
203.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$645MKD 34.6K
$327VES 240.4K
97.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$463MKD 24.8K
$213VES 156.3K
117.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,731MKD 146.5K
$763VES 561.2K
257.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,740MKD 93.3K
$497VES 365.6K
249.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Maracaibo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$886MKD 47.5K
$198VES 145.8K
346.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.54
26.6
-82.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Skopje: July 11, 2026
Last update for Maracaibo: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $425 in Skopje and $181 in Maracaibo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Skopje pays 347% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Skopje vs $40.00 in Maracaibo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $220 per month, with Skopje cheaper across the board.
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 Maracaibo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maracaibo cheaper than Skopje?
Maracaibo is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 46% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Skopje or Maracaibo?
Average pay runs 347% higher in Skopje, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Skopje and Maracaibo?
Rent for a central apartment: $425 in Skopje versus $181 in Maracaibo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $320 in Skopje versus $111 in Maracaibo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Skopje and in Maracaibo?
Shoppers in Skopje pay roughly 5% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is $1,000 enough for either Skopje or Maracaibo?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Maracaibo gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Skopje or Maracaibo more family-friendly?
For families, Maracaibo is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Skopje, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Maracaibo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Skopje. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.