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