Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and StrugaCost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Struga
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,081 per month in Skopje vs $789 in Struga, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,622 per month in Skopje vs $1,198 in Struga, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,163 per month in Skopje vs $1,607 in Struga, rent included.
😐Skopje costs about 37% more than Struga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Skopje and Struga are more affordable than the global median – Skopje19% lower, Struga41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.56MKD 400
$7.65MKD 405
-1.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.21MKD 1,759
$30.64MKD 1,623
8.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.70MKD 355
$4.68MKD 248
43.16%
Cappuccino
$2.23MKD 118
$1.52MKD 80.4
46.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03MKD 107
$1.76MKD 93.4
15.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22MKD 64.8
$1.28MKD 68.0
-4.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.62MKD 139
$2.70MKD 143
-2.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47MKD 184
$3.46MKD 183
0.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33MKD 70.6
$1.19MKD 62.8
11.76%
White Bread(500g)
$0.78MKD 41.05
$0.64MKD 34.16
21.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.66MKD 88.0
$1.67MKD 88.4
-0.60%
Eggs
$2.24MKD 119
$2.01MKD 106
11.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.23MKD 489
$6.80MKD 360
35.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.08MKD 428
$5.81MKD 308
39.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.49MKD 714
$9.44MKD 500
42.90%
Apples(1kg)
$1.07MKD 56.6
$0.58MKD 30.76
84.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.35MKD 71.5
$1.33MKD 70.7
1.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.36MKD 72.1
$0.98MKD 52.0
38.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.16MKD 114
$1.15MKD 61.1
87.83%
Potato(1kg)
$0.83MKD 43.84
$0.73MKD 38.83
13.70%
Onion(1kg)
$1.00MKD 52.8
$0.93MKD 49.15
7.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72MKD 38.21
$0.55MKD 28.89
30.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55MKD 29.01
$0.37MKD 19.42
48.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.16MKD 167
$3.11MKD 165
1.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72MKD 409
$4.72MKD 250
63.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11MKD 58.6
$1.05MKD 55.7
5.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55MKD 82.1
$1.02MKD 53.9
51.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Struga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77MKD 40.74
$0.68MKD 36.02
13.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.72MKD 1,468
$20.43MKD 1,082
35.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.90MKD 47.46
$0.90MKD 47.80
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.53MKD 28.17
$0.49MKD 26.21
8.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.71MKD 408
$7.47MKD 395
3.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.48MKD 78.2
$1.43MKD 75.5
3.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5KMKD 1.8M
$34.0KMKD 1.8M
1.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.4KMKD 1.6M
$29.5KMKD 1.6M
-0.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$164MKD 8,679
$91.7MKD 4,854
78.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.26MKD 967
$15.06MKD 798
21.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.08MKD 1,010
$18.98MKD 1,005
0.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.38MKD 2,085
$26.71MKD 1,414
47.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.51MKD 927
$22.74MKD 1,204
-23.00%
Cinema Ticket
$6.45MKD 342
$6.52MKD 345
-1.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$324MKD 17.1K
$319MKD 16.9K
1.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,636MKD 245.5K
$1,211MKD 64.2K
282.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.2MKD 4,087
$75.9MKD 4,019
1.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.10MKD 2,071
$27.85MKD 1,475
40.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101MKD 5,335
$66.7MKD 3,535
50.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111MKD 5,886
$38.10MKD 2,018
191.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Struga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$421MKD 22.3K
$283MKD 15.0K
48.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$317MKD 16.8K
$225MKD 11.9K
40.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$626MKD 33.1K
$388MKD 20.6K
61.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$454MKD 24.0K
$323MKD 17.1K
40.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,829MKD 149.8K
$1,570MKD 83.1K
80.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,827MKD 96.7K
$1,405MKD 74.4K
30.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Struga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$886MKD 46.9K
$974MKD 51.6K
-8.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.54
3.5
29.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Skopje: June 14, 2026
Last update for Struga: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $421 in Skopje versus $283 in Struga. 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 10% higher in Struga, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Skopje versus $31.00 in Struga. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $213 vs $159 – making Struga 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 Struga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Skopje or Struga?
Skopje costs about 37% more than Struga, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Skopje vs Struga?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,622 per month in Skopje and $1,183 in Struga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Skopje or Struga?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Struga, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Skopje and Struga?
Kindergarten costs $324 per month in Skopje and $319 in Struga. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Skopje or Struga?
Groceries cost about 34% more in Skopje, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Skopje or Struga?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Struga, where all-in costs run around $789, than in Skopje at $1,081. In Struga it covers expenses comfortably, while in Skopje it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Skopje or Struga?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Struga costs $789 versus $1,081 in Skopje. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Skopje compared to Struga?
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.
Should I move to Skopje or Struga?
If budget matters most, go with Struga. 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.