😐A single person spends $1,539 per month in Thessaloniki vs $1,501 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,360 per month in Thessaloniki vs $2,310 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,181 per month in Thessaloniki vs $3,119 in Orestiada, rent included.
😐Thessaloniki costs about 2% more than Orestiada, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Thessaloniki and Orestiada sit above the global median – Thessaloniki by 15%, Orestiada by 12%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.10€15.03
$13.99€12.30
22.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.9€50.9
$60.4€53.1
-4.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.57€9.29
$9.80€8.62
7.86%
Cappuccino
$4.36€3.83
$3.03€2.67
43.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39€2.10
$1.64€1.44
45.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56€0.49
$0.75€0.66
-25.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.69€5.00
$5.92€5.20
-3.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.68€4.99
$5.80€5.10
-2.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54€1.35
$1.88€1.66
-18.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.45€1.28
$1.24€1.09
16.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.40€2.11
$1.52€1.34
57.89%
Eggs
$4.21€3.70
$4.00€3.51
5.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50€11.87
$6.82€6.00
97.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.28€9.91
$10.06€8.84
12.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.76€12.97
$9.64€8.48
53.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.04€1.80
$1.72€1.51
18.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.89€1.66
$2.06€1.81
-8.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62€1.42
$1.13€0.99
43.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.38€2.10
$2.91€2.55
-18.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.29€1.13
$1.67€1.47
-22.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32€1.16
$0.92€0.81
43.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09€0.96
$1.04€0.91
4.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.72
$0.84€0.74
-2.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.44€4.78
$4.73€4.16
15.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.42€10.04
$6.70€5.89
70.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94€1.70
$2.03€1.78
-4.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77€2.44
$2.83€2.49
-2.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03€0.90
$1.57€1.38
-34.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.72€27.88
$47.15€41.45
-32.73%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.53€3.99
$4.61€4.05
-1.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.70€28.75
$13.89€12.21
135.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.10€1.85
$2.19€1.92
-4.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K€26.9K
$31.0K€27.3K
-1.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K€27.9K
$26.7K€23.4K
18.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$218€192
$412€363
-47.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.19€23.03
$22.78€20.03
14.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.79€27.07
$34.42€30.26
-10.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.42€39.93
$57.0€50.1
-20.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.75€16.48
$26.31€23.13
-28.73%
Cinema Ticket
$9.96€8.76
$8.32€7.32
19.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427€375
$423€372
0.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,280€7,279
$5,987€5,263
38.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.2€73.1
$44.02€38.70
88.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.21€32.71
$39.11€34.38
-4.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.5€79.6
$85.3€75.0
6.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114€100
$177€156
-35.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$545€479
$501€440
8.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$460€404
$288€253
59.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$937€823
$525€461
78.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$731€643
$611€537
19.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,690€3,244
$2,785€2,448
32.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,846€2,502
$2,475€2,176
15.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Thessaloniki
Orestiada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,170€1,029
$1,309€1,151
-10.62%
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: July 20, 2026
Last update for Orestiada: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $545 in Thessaloniki versus $501 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 12% 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 $58.0 in Thessaloniki versus $60.0 in Orestiada. Groceries tell a different story – $296 in Thessaloniki vs $243 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 in Orestiada compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,539 in Thessaloniki, $1,501 in Orestiada – roughly 2% apart. Thessaloniki costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Thessaloniki compared to Orestiada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,308 per month in Thessaloniki and $2,252 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 in Orestiada?
Public transport costs about 49% 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 $427 per month in Thessaloniki and $423 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 $1,501, than in Thessaloniki at $1,539. 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 $1,501 in Orestiada to $1,539 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