Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Skopje and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Skopje: $1,131 a month against $1,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Ubud, Bali outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Skopje
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
$1,131
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,348
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Skopje and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Skopje and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,131 per month in Skopje vs $1,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Skopje $1,131
  • Ubud, Bali $1,348

A couple spends around $1,675 per month in Skopje vs $2,312 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Skopje $1,675
  • Ubud, Bali $2,312

A family of three spends $2,220 per month in Skopje vs $3,276 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Skopje $2,220
  • Ubud, Bali $3,276

Skopje is about 16% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Skopje sits 16% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 1% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.58 MKD 525
$3.33 Rp 59.6K
187.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.25 MKD 1,877
$35.42 Rp 633.1K
-3.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.45 MKD 353
$5.76 Rp 102.9K
11.98%
Cappuccino
$2.14 MKD 117
$2.63 Rp 47.0K
-18.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81 MKD 98.9
$1.74 Rp 31.0K
4.02%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 MKD 71.9
$0.77 Rp 13.8K
70.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.71 MKD 149
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 MKD 171
$4.52 Rp 80.8K
-31.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 MKD 70.4
$1.53 Rp 27.4K
-15.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.74 MKD 40.67
$2.20 Rp 39.2K
-66.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.84 MKD 101
$1.22 Rp 21.8K
50.82%
Eggs
$2.52 MKD 138
$2.14 Rp 38.2K
17.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.89 MKD 433
$17.73 Rp 316.9K
-55.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.57 MKD 415
$3.86 Rp 68.9K
96.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.00 MKD 822
$12.03 Rp 215.0K
24.69%
Apples (1kg)
$1.48 MKD 81.0
$3.61 Rp 64.5K
-59.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 MKD 79.6
$1.51 Rp 27.1K
-3.97%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.34 MKD 73.4
$2.32 Rp 41.4K
-42.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.95 MKD 107
$2.00 Rp 35.8K
-2.50%
Potato (1kg)
$0.90 MKD 49.33
$1.81 Rp 32.4K
-50.28%
Onion (1kg)
$0.85 MKD 46.40
$2.39 Rp 42.7K
-64.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 MKD 34.81
$0.99 Rp 17.8K
-35.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 MKD 30.01
$0.52 Rp 9,373
5.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.52 MKD 193
$2.18 Rp 39.0K
61.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.06 MKD 387
$22.98 Rp 410.7K
-69.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 MKD 58.1
$2.40 Rp 42.8K
-55.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44 MKD 79.2
$3.00 Rp 53.6K
-52.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 MKD 41.26
$0.24 Rp 4,255
212.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.74 MKD 1,520
$6.99 Rp 125.0K
296.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.11 MKD 60.8
$0.44 Rp 7,876
152.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.62 MKD 33.87
$0.42 Rp 7,582
47.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.71 MKD 422
$5.45 Rp 97.4K
41.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.62 MKD 88.5
$0.84 Rp 15.1K
92.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9K MKD 1.9M
$24.3K Rp 434.8M
43.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K MKD 1.5M
$31.9K Rp 570.0M
-13.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$153 MKD 8,410
$80.8 Rp 1.4M
89.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.75 MKD 1,027
$6.58 Rp 117.6K
184.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.33 MKD 1,059
$18.24 Rp 326.1K
5.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.53 MKD 2,111
$55.1 Rp 985.4K
-30.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.65 MKD 967
$18.51 Rp 330.9K
-4.65%
Cinema Ticket
$7.15 MKD 392
$4.24 Rp 75.9K
68.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$358 MKD 19.6K
$486 Rp 8.7M
-26.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,690 MKD 311.8K
$5,676 Rp 101.5M
0.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.1 MKD 4,610
$45.18 Rp 807.6K
86.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.22 MKD 2,040
$34.57 Rp 617.9K
7.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 MKD 5,620
$79.2 Rp 1.4M
29.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 MKD 6,136
$77.6 Rp 1.4M
44.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$416 MKD 22.8K
$1,127 Rp 20.1M
-63.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$327 MKD 17.9K
$674 Rp 12.1M
-51.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$731 MKD 40.1K
$3,618 Rp 64.7M
-79.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$497 MKD 27.2K
$1,735 Rp 31.0M
-71.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,702 MKD 148.1K
$2,829 Rp 50.6M
-4.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,807 MKD 99.0K
$2,307 Rp 41.2M
-21.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skopje
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$877 MKD 48.1K
$166 Rp 3.0M
429.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.23
13.78
-69.30%

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

Last update for Skopje: October 5, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Skopje
$327
Ubud, Bali
$674 106% $347
Groceries & Markets
Skopje
$211
Ubud, Bali
$290 37.3% $79
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skopje
$192
Ubud, Bali
$106 44.8% $86
Eating Out
Skopje
$154
Ubud, Bali
$108 29.7% $46
Clothing & Footwear
Skopje
$151
Ubud, Bali
$106 29.6% $45
Sport & Entertainment
Skopje
$53
Ubud, Bali
$64 20.4% $11
Getting Around
Skopje
$35
Ubud, Bali
$11 70% $24

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $416 in Skopje versus $1,127 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 429% 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 $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $211 vs $290 – making Skopje the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇰 Skopje
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
13:44 1:44 PM
19:44 7:44 PM
6 h ahead of Skopje
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
422,540 Capital
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to MKD – North Macedonian Denar Converter

North Macedonian Denar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 54.8 MKD (100 MKD = 1.82 USD). 1 EUR = 61.41 MKD (100 MKD = 1.63 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 17,875 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.59 USD). 1 EUR = 20,030 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.99 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Skopje Ubud, Bali 10,950 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Skopje
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 19% more than Skopje, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 $1,696 per month in Skopje and $2,022 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 $358 per month in Skopje and $486 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 37% 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 $1,131, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,348. 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 $1,131 versus $1,348 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.

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