Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,112 per month in Skopje vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,621 per month in Skopje vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,130 per month in Skopje vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Skopje is about 22% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Skopje sits 17% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.57 MKD 399
$3.56 Rp 64.3K
112.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.02 MKD 1,791
$32.73 Rp 590.3K
3.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.65 MKD 350
$4.95 Rp 89.2K
34.34%
Cappuccino
$2.19 MKD 115
$2.71 Rp 48.9K
-19.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 MKD 102
$1.34 Rp 24.2K
44.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 MKD 67.5
$0.70 Rp 12.6K
82.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 MKD 142
$2.92 Rp 52.7K
-7.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47 MKD 183
$3.96 Rp 71.4K
-12.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 MKD 70.6
$1.81 Rp 32.6K
-25.97%
White Bread (500g)
$0.82 MKD 43.34
$2.52 Rp 45.4K
-67.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.75 MKD 92.4
$1.16 Rp 20.9K
50.86%
Eggs
$2.19 MKD 115
$2.46 Rp 44.4K
-10.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.22 MKD 485
$14.71 Rp 265.3K
-37.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.99 MKD 421
$4.32 Rp 77.9K
84.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.63 MKD 718
$12.14 Rp 218.9K
12.27%
Apples (1kg)
$1.01 MKD 53.3
$3.84 Rp 69.3K
-73.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.41 MKD 74.4
$1.56 Rp 28.1K
-9.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.32 MKD 69.6
$2.83 Rp 51.1K
-53.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.17 MKD 114
$2.33 Rp 41.9K
-6.87%
Potato (1kg)
$0.88 MKD 46.53
$1.91 Rp 34.5K
-53.93%
Onion (1kg)
$0.92 MKD 48.49
$2.20 Rp 39.7K
-58.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 MKD 37.39
$1.01 Rp 18.3K
-29.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 MKD 30.57
$0.78 Rp 14.0K
-25.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15 MKD 166
$3.32 Rp 59.8K
-5.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.41 MKD 390
$23.74 Rp 428.0K
-68.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 MKD 55.8
$2.79 Rp 50.3K
-62.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 MKD 79.7
$2.86 Rp 51.6K
-47.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 MKD 40.40
$0.27 Rp 4,848
185.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.67 MKD 1,457
$8.03 Rp 144.8K
244.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.98 MKD 51.4
$0.46 Rp 8,230
113.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.49 MKD 25.59
$0.45 Rp 8,116
8.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.60 MKD 400
$6.10 Rp 109.9K
24.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 MKD 77.3
$0.79 Rp 14.3K
86.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K MKD 1.8M
$26.1K Rp 471.6M
30.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6K MKD 1.6M
$32.1K Rp 579.2M
-7.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$160 MKD 8,438
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
100.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.34 MKD 965
$4.06 Rp 73.3K
351.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13 MKD 1,007
$23.52 Rp 424.1K
-18.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.37 MKD 2,020
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
-61.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.56 MKD 925
$6.63 Rp 119.6K
164.86%
Cinema Ticket
$6.72 MKD 354
$4.15 Rp 74.8K
61.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$312 MKD 16.4K
$304 Rp 5.5M
2.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,509 MKD 237.4K
$6,613 Rp 119.3M
-31.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.2 MKD 4,063
$55.5 Rp 1.0M
38.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.43 MKD 2,129
$38.31 Rp 690.9K
5.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 MKD 5,270
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
12.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 MKD 5,804
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
41.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$429 MKD 22.6K
$1,006 Rp 18.1M
-57.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 MKD 16.3K
$675 Rp 12.2M
-54.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$645 MKD 34.0K
$3,442 Rp 62.1M
-81.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$459 MKD 24.1K
$2,039 Rp 36.8M
-77.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,801 MKD 147.5K
$2,841 Rp 51.2M
-1.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,829 MKD 96.3K
$2,264 Rp 40.8M
-19.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$913 MKD 48.1K
$165 Rp 3.0M
452.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.54
13.28
-65.81%

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

Last update for Skopje: May 31, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $429 in Skopje versus $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. 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 452% higher in Skopje, 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 $34.00 in Skopje versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $213 in Skopje vs $302 in Ubud, Bali – so Skopje wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Skopje or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 28% more than Skopje, 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 Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,667 per month in Skopje and $2,129 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Skopje or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Skopje, 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 Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Skopje and $304 in Ubud, Bali. 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 Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 42% more in Ubud, Bali, 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 $1,000/month in Skopje or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Skopje, where all-in costs run around $1,112, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In Skopje it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Skopje or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Skopje costs $1,112 versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Skopje compared to Ubud, Bali?
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 Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Skopje. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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