😐A single person spends $1,553 per month in Thessaloniki vs $1,519 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,359 per month in Thessaloniki vs $2,290 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,165 per month in Thessaloniki vs $3,060 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐Thessaloniki costs about 2% more than Orestiada, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Thessaloniki and Orestiada sit above the global median – Thessaloniki by 16%, Orestiada by 13%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.16€14.64
$13.77€11.75
24.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.0€50.3
$61.9€52.8
-4.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.55€9.00
$9.79€8.35
7.76%
Cappuccino
$4.30€3.67
$2.86€2.44
50.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46€2.10
$1.63€1.39
50.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61€0.52
$0.79€0.67
-22.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.84€4.98
$5.68€4.85
2.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.73€4.88
$5.90€5.03
-2.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48€1.27
$1.92€1.64
-22.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43€1.22
$1.29€1.10
10.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.40€2.05
$1.44€1.23
66.67%
Eggs
$4.22€3.60
$4.01€3.42
5.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.42€11.44
$6.85€5.84
95.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.22€9.57
$9.97€8.51
12.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.69€12.53
$9.78€8.35
50.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.00€1.71
$1.72€1.47
16.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.89€1.61
$2.10€1.79
-10.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.66€1.42
$1.19€1.01
39.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.38€2.03
$2.86€2.44
-16.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24€1.05
$1.74€1.49
-28.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37€1.17
$0.91€0.78
50.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06€0.90
$1.26€1.07
-15.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.70
$0.84€0.72
-2.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.28€4.50
$4.75€4.05
11.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.31€7.94
$6.90€5.89
34.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97€1.68
$2.01€1.72
-1.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70€2.30
$2.70€2.30
-
🚌 Getting Around
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06€0.90
$1.58€1.34
-32.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.43€26.81
$46.08€39.31
-31.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.51€3.85
$4.56€3.89
-1.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.09€27.38
$13.62€11.62
135.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.04€1.74
$2.20€1.88
-7.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K€26.1K
$31.5K€26.9K
-2.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.7K€26.2K
$26.3K€22.5K
16.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$215€183
$411€351
-47.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.82€22.02
$22.75€19.40
13.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.71€26.20
$35.10€29.94
-12.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.28€37.77
$57.7€49.24
-23.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.33€15.63
$26.25€22.40
-30.17%
Cinema Ticket
$10.19€8.69
$8.23€7.02
23.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$432€368
$427€364
1.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,289€7,071
$6,071€5,179
36.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.1€70.9
$42.79€36.50
94.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.43€31.93
$37.93€32.36
-1.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.1€76.8
$83.6€71.4
7.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118€100
$181€155
-35.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$556€474
$494€421
12.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$460€393
$294€251
56.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$935€797
$523€446
78.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$727€620
$622€531
16.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,921€3,345
$2,965€2,529
32.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,747€2,343
$2,409€2,055
14.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,210€1,032
$1,329€1,134
-8.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.68
4.43
5.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Thessaloniki: April 21, 2026
Last update for Orestiada: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $556 in Thessaloniki versus $494 in Orestiada. 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 Orestiada, 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 $59 in Thessaloniki versus $62 in Orestiada. Groceries tell a different story – $290 in Thessaloniki vs $245 in Orestiada – so Orestiada 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
Thessaloniki vs Orestiada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Thessaloniki and Orestiada compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,553 in Thessaloniki, $1,519 in Orestiada – roughly 2% apart. Thessaloniki costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Thessaloniki compared to Orestiada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,329 per month in Thessaloniki and $2,279 in Orestiada. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Thessaloniki and Orestiada?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Orestiada, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Thessaloniki and Orestiada?
Public transport costs about 47% less in Orestiada. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Thessaloniki and Orestiada?
Kindergarten costs $432 per month in Thessaloniki and $427 in Orestiada. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Orestiada, where all-in costs run around $1,519, than in Thessaloniki at $1,553. In Orestiada it covers expenses comfortably, while in Thessaloniki it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Thessaloniki and Orestiada?
It depends on your priorities. Thessaloniki has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,519 in Orestiada to $1,553 in Thessaloniki. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Thessaloniki or Orestiada safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Thessaloniki and Orestiada?
If budget matters most, go with Orestiada. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Thessaloniki makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Thessaloniki vs other spots: cost of living compared