🙂A single person spends $1,087 per month in Skopje vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,634 per month in Skopje vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,180 per month in Skopje vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Skopje is about 23% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Skopje sits 19% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.58MKD 407
$3.45Rp 62.1K
119.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.45MKD 1,796
$32.34Rp 581.1K
3.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.70MKD 360
$4.84Rp 87.1K
38.43%
Cappuccino
$2.27MKD 122
$2.75Rp 49.4K
-17.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03MKD 109
$1.38Rp 24.9K
47.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29MKD 69.3
$0.75Rp 13.5K
72.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.66MKD 143
$2.99Rp 53.8K
-11.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35MKD 180
$3.85Rp 69.2K
-12.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29MKD 69.5
$1.74Rp 31.2K
-25.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.76MKD 40.83
$2.46Rp 44.2K
-69.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67MKD 89.7
$1.17Rp 21.0K
42.74%
Eggs
$2.21MKD 119
$2.43Rp 43.7K
-9.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.13MKD 490
$14.50Rp 260.6K
-37.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.78MKD 418
$4.35Rp 78.2K
78.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.71MKD 736
$11.98Rp 215.3K
14.44%
Apples(1kg)
$1.06MKD 57.1
$3.72Rp 66.8K
-71.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.43MKD 76.8
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-12.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.35MKD 72.6
$2.74Rp 49.3K
-50.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.17MKD 116
$2.24Rp 40.3K
-3.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89MKD 47.79
$1.92Rp 34.5K
-53.65%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90MKD 48.49
$2.28Rp 40.9K
-60.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.69MKD 36.95
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-34.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55MKD 29.72
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-23.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18MKD 171
$3.29Rp 59.0K
-3.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.26MKD 390
$23.19Rp 416.8K
-68.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MKD 57.3
$2.78Rp 49.9K
-61.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52MKD 81.5
$2.73Rp 49.1K
-44.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.76MKD 40.98
$0.27Rp 4,786
181.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.58MKD 1,534
$8.11Rp 145.7K
252.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96MKD 51.6
$0.48Rp 8,675
100.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48MKD 26.03
$0.42Rp 7,545
14.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.41MKD 398
$6.22Rp 111.8K
19.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49MKD 79.7
$0.81Rp 14.6K
83.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.7KMKD 1.8M
$26.6KRp 478.2M
26.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.3KMKD 1.6M
$32.2KRp 578.5M
-9.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160MKD 8,580
$78.4Rp 1.4M
104.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.05MKD 969
$4.07Rp 73.1K
343.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13MKD 1,027
$24.33Rp 437.1K
-21.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.66MKD 2,075
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-60.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.36MKD 932
$6.34Rp 113.9K
173.82%
Cinema Ticket
$6.62MKD 356
$3.99Rp 71.6K
65.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$320MKD 17.2K
$305Rp 5.5M
4.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,642MKD 249.2K
$6,642Rp 119.4M
-30.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.5MKD 4,160
$54.1Rp 972.9K
43.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.16MKD 2,156
$37.81Rp 679.4K
6.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100MKD 5,368
$86.8Rp 1.6M
15.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110MKD 5,918
$76.4Rp 1.4M
44.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$425MKD 22.8K
$992Rp 17.8M
-57.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$310MKD 16.6K
$673Rp 12.1M
-53.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$645MKD 34.6K
$3,375Rp 60.7M
-80.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$463MKD 24.8K
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-77.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,731MKD 146.6K
$2,805Rp 50.4M
-2.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,740MKD 93.4K
$2,227Rp 40.0M
-21.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$886MKD 47.6K
$167Rp 3.0M
430.59%
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: July 11, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $425 in Skopje versus $992 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 431% 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 $33.00 in Skopje versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $210 in Skopje vs $297 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 29% 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 and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,631 per month in Skopje and $2,112 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $320 per month in Skopje and $305 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 41% 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 in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Skopje, where all-in costs run around $1,087, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. 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 $1,087 versus $1,408 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 to 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.