Cost of Living Comparison Between Tomsk and SkopjeCost of Living Comparison Between Tomsk and Skopje
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,041 per month in Tomsk vs $1,112 in Skopje, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,588 per month in Tomsk vs $1,621 in Skopje, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,135 per month in Tomsk vs $2,130 in Skopje, rent included.
πTomsk is about 6% cheaper than Skopje, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Tomsk and Skopje are more affordable than the global median β Tomsk22% lower, Skopje17% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.41β½468
$7.57MKDΒ 399
-15.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.61β½2,308
$34.02MKDΒ 1,793
-7.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.76β½420
$6.65MKDΒ 350
-13.38%
Cappuccino
$2.27β½165
$2.19MKDΒ 115
3.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95β½69.1
$1.94MKDΒ 102
-51.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45β½33.04
$1.28MKDΒ 67.5
-64.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.25β½91.4
$2.70MKDΒ 142
-53.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10β½226
$3.47MKDΒ 183
-10.66%
π Groceries & Markets
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16β½84.4
$1.34MKDΒ 70.7
-13.43%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59β½42.71
$0.82MKDΒ 43.38
-28.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84β½134
$1.75MKDΒ 92.4
5.14%
Eggs
$1.74β½127
$2.19MKDΒ 115
-20.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.82β½790
$9.22MKDΒ 486
17.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.47β½399
$7.99MKDΒ 421
-31.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.01β½658
$13.63MKDΒ 719
-33.90%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98β½144
$1.01MKDΒ 53.4
96.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96β½143
$1.41MKDΒ 74.5
39.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05β½150
$1.32MKDΒ 69.6
55.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.89β½284
$2.17MKDΒ 115
79.26%
Potato(1kg)
$0.68β½49.71
$0.88MKDΒ 46.57
-22.73%
Onion(1kg)
$0.55β½39.98
$0.92MKDΒ 48.53
-40.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01β½73.7
$0.71MKDΒ 37.43
42.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62β½45.03
$0.58MKDΒ 30.60
6.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.50β½182
$3.15MKDΒ 166
-20.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.49β½547
$7.41MKDΒ 391
1.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β½66.9
$1.06MKDΒ 55.9
-13.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80β½131
$1.51MKDΒ 79.8
19.21%
π Getting Around
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36β½26.51
$0.77MKDΒ 40.44
-53.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.23β½1,914
$27.67MKDΒ 1,458
-5.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.70β½124
$0.98MKDΒ 51.5
73.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25β½18.31
$0.49MKDΒ 25.61
-48.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.24β½455
$7.60MKDΒ 400
-17.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72β½52.6
$1.47MKDΒ 77.3
-51.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9Kβ½2.3M
$34.0KMKDΒ 1.8M
-9.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.5Kβ½3.0M
$29.6KMKDΒ 1.6M
36.98%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$112β½8,208
$160MKDΒ 8,446
-29.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.08β½370
$18.34MKDΒ 966
-72.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.15β½595
$19.13MKDΒ 1,008
-57.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.1β½4,535
$38.37MKDΒ 2,022
61.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.43β½1,856
$17.56MKDΒ 925
44.82%
Cinema Ticket
$5.55β½405
$6.72MKDΒ 354
-17.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$77.7β½5,671
$312MKDΒ 16.5K
-75.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,532β½330.8K
$4,509MKDΒ 237.6K
0.50%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$77.7β½5,670
$77.2MKDΒ 4,067
0.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.00β½2,555
$40.43MKDΒ 2,131
-13.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$135β½9,827
$100MKDΒ 5,275
34.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$186β½13.6K
$110MKDΒ 5,810
69.12%
π Accommodation & Living
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451β½32.9K
$429MKDΒ 22.6K
4.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$283β½20.6K
$310MKDΒ 16.3K
-8.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$756β½55.2K
$645MKDΒ 34.0K
17.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$516β½37.6K
$459MKDΒ 24.2K
12.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,438β½177.9K
$2,801MKDΒ 147.6K
-12.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,777β½129.7K
$1,829MKDΒ 96.4K
-2.81%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Tomsk
Skopje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$996β½72.7K
$913MKDΒ 48.1K
9.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
22.08
4.54
386.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tomsk: June 1, 2026
Last update for Skopje: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $451 in Tomsk versus $429 in Skopje. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 9% higher in Tomsk, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Tomsk versus $34.00 in Skopje. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $213 β making Tomsk the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Tomsk vs Skopje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tomsk or Skopje?
Skopje costs about 7% more than Tomsk, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Tomsk vs Skopje?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,562 per month in Tomsk and $1,667 in Skopje. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tomsk or Skopje?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tomsk, 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 Tomsk and Skopje?
Kindergarten costs $77.7 per month in Tomsk and $312 in Skopje. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Tomsk or Skopje?
Groceries cost about 4% more in Skopje, 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 Tomsk or Skopje?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Tomsk, where all-in costs run around $1,041, than in Skopje at $1,112. In Tomsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Skopje it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tomsk or Skopje?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tomsk costs $1,041 versus $1,112 in Skopje. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tomsk compared to Skopje?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Tomsk or Skopje?
If budget matters most, go with Tomsk. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Skopje makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.