Cost of Living in North Macedonia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: North Macedonia
Address: MK

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $594 (excluding rent), and $1,003 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,441 (excluding rent), and $1,965 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.70 MKD 407

$4.43 MKD 234

$11.55 MKD 611

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.15 MKD 1,490

$18.52 MKD 980

$46.31 MKD 2,451

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.58 MKD 295

$4.65 MKD 246

$7.42 MKD 393

Cappuccino

$1.94 MKD 103

$1.16 MKD 61.5

$2.90 MKD 154

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 MKD 95.7

$1.34 MKD 70.8

$2.69 MKD 142

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.25 MKD 65.9

$0.97 MKD 51.2

$1.94 MKD 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.23 MKD 118

$1.30 MKD 68.6

$3.72 MKD 197

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 MKD 150

$2.01 MKD 106

$4.72 MKD 250

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 MKD 69.4

$1.11 MKD 59.0

$1.58 MKD 83.5

White Bread (500g)

$0.71 MKD 37.38

$0.53 MKD 28.29

$1.11 MKD 58.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 MKD 84.8

$0.91 MKD 48.30

$2.18 MKD 116

Eggs

$2.25 MKD 119

$1.61 MKD 85.4

$2.99 MKD 158

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.54 MKD 452

$6.40 MKD 339

$11.90 MKD 630

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.35 MKD 389

$4.74 MKD 251

$9.47 MKD 501

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.19 MKD 645

$7.38 MKD 390

$16.61 MKD 879

Apples (1kg)

$1.04 MKD 55.2

$0.57 MKD 30.31

$1.92 MKD 102

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 MKD 75.6

$1.12 MKD 59.3

$1.87 MKD 98.7

Oranges (1kg)

$1.30 MKD 68.9

$0.65 MKD 34.18

$2.03 MKD 107

Tomato (1kg)

$1.97 MKD 104

$1.14 MKD 60.2

$2.84 MKD 150

Potato (1kg)

$0.92 MKD 48.73

$0.57 MKD 30.32

$1.33 MKD 70.4

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 MKD 53.7

$0.57 MKD 30.05

$1.52 MKD 80.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 MKD 37.01

$0.40 MKD 20.99

$1.18 MKD 62.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 MKD 28.49

$0.37 MKD 19.69

$0.73 MKD 38.85

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.24 MKD 172

$2.87 MKD 152

$3.63 MKD 192

Wine (Bottle)

$6.76 MKD 358

$3.87 MKD 205

$9.67 MKD 512

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MKD 55.4

$0.93 MKD 49.13

$1.40 MKD 74.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 MKD 75.6

$0.93 MKD 48.99

$2.22 MKD 117

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 MKD 40.97

$0.58 MKD 30.59

$1.20 MKD 63.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.26 MKD 1,496

$18.84 MKD 997

$33.91 MKD 1,795

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 MKD 61.1

$0.96 MKD 50.8

$1.92 MKD 102

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.57 MKD 29.96

$0.40 MKD 21.33

$0.97 MKD 51.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.43 MKD 393

$5.58 MKD 295

$9.29 MKD 492

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 MKD 77.8

$1.39 MKD 73.6

$1.67 MKD 88.2

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.6K MKD 1.8M

$29.9K MKD 1.6M

$37.3K MKD 2.0M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31.0K MKD 1.6M

$28.6K MKD 1.5M

$34.3K MKD 1.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$151 MKD 7,984

$94.5 MKD 4,999

$227 MKD 12.0K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.97 MKD 951

$11.44 MKD 605

$22.87 MKD 1,210

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.72 MKD 991

$13.22 MKD 700

$28.33 MKD 1,499

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.22 MKD 1,652

$18.58 MKD 983

$46.47 MKD 2,459

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.11 MKD 747

$5.56 MKD 294

$18.52 MKD 980

Cinema Ticket

$6.63 MKD 351

$4.74 MKD 251

$7.58 MKD 401

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$287 MKD 15.2K

$202 MKD 10.7K

$397 MKD 21.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,151 MKD 219.7K

$2,249 MKD 119.0K

$6,746 MKD 357.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.0 MKD 3,758

$28.32 MKD 1,499

$132 MKD 6,992

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.18 MKD 2,232

$22.87 MKD 1,210

$57.2 MKD 3,026

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.5 MKD 4,999

$55.7 MKD 2,950

$137 MKD 7,262

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 MKD 5,741

$63.8 MKD 3,374

$166 MKD 8,781

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$348 MKD 18.4K

$227 MKD 12.0K

$530 MKD 28.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$258 MKD 13.7K

$168 MKD 8,909

$374 MKD 19.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$561 MKD 29.7K

$372 MKD 19.7K

$859 MKD 45.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$402 MKD 21.3K

$281 MKD 14.9K

$577 MKD 30.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,907 MKD 100.9K

$1,208 MKD 63.9K

$2,843 MKD 150.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,434 MKD 75.9K

$1,053 MKD 55.7K

$2,090 MKD 110.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$753 MKD 39.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.76

3.4

6.8

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

By City in North Macedonia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bitola	74550	45	$554	$904	$1,337	$1,815	258.55	65.96
2	Delcevo	17505	45	$578	$895	$1,229	$1,684	25.93	39.06
3	Gevgelija	20664	39	$506	$778	$1,071	$1,622	93.33	68.56
4	Gostivar	36000	40	$442	$804	$1,123	$1,615	163.81	63.95
5	Kavadarci	29320	40	$564	$787	$1,365	$1,611	50.46	52.38
6	Kicevo	31000	45	$502	$887	$1,303	$1,752	146.62	31.5
7	Kocani	29000	43	$465	$864	$1,316	$1,738	200.44	59.28
8	Kriva Palanka	14010	45	$564	$881	$1,213	$1,809	50.71	26.94
9	Kumanovo	75051	40	$529	$783	$1,122	$1,548	43.86	56.12
10	Ohrid	38940	47	$609	$955	$1,508	$2,093	98.83	51.64
11	Prilep	63308	38	$399	$753	$1,048	$1,536	174.72	57.13
12	Radovis	16690	45	$608	$909	$1,319	$1,817	104.91	57.66
13	Resen	8700	45	$549	$892	$1,457	$1,823	38.93	39.79
14	Skopje	422540	55	$615	$1,099	$1,510	$2,159	286.48	97.31
15	Stip	65000	39	$522	$784	$1,162	$1,507	55.27	77.64
16	Struga	33000	40	$496	$791	$1,204	$1,617	290.21	36.75
17	Strumica	36000	44	$508	$875	$1,101	$1,667	220.44	64.41
18	Sveti Nikole	13220	44	$460	$856	$1,389	$1,756	129.2	61.22
19	Tetovo	53000	49	$601	$1,005	$1,370	$1,976	75.68	64.02
20	Veles	43716	39	$423	$767	$1,043	$1,514	37.66	65.1

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in North Macedonia - Frequently Asked Questions

North Macedonia offers a favorable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want steady value without sacrificing access to culture. The Cost of Living in North Macedonia remains lower than Western European capitals and often similar to or cheaper than many Balkan cities, especially outside the capital. In Skopje you will find affordable rents in modest neighborhoods and plenty of affordable local meals, while seaside towns and smaller cities can be even gentler on the budget. Your comfort level and pacing will shape your costs, from apartment size to coworking needs. Tip: scout neighborhoods in person and test a week of errands before committing.

Daily life in North Macedonia for a traveler, expat, or digital nomad centers on practical, variable costs and local rhythms. Housing searches in cities like Skopje and Ohrid favor shorter leases and flexible terms, while some neighborhoods offer better value for longer stays. Food options range from bustling markets to modern cafes, with fresh produce common and reasonably priced. Public transport is reliable in larger towns, with ridesharing and occasional taxis filling gaps. Co-working spaces are growing in urban cores, handy for remote work and meeting locals. North Macedonia living cost varies by neighborhood and season, so test options before committing. Tip: start with a longer trial stay to feel out commute times and neighborhood vibes.

Quality of life in North Macedonia benefits from a flexible budgeting approach that prioritizes essentials, local experiences, and sustainable savings. Build a simple plan that covers housing, food, transport, and a little for leisure, then adjust with the seasons and personal needs. Expect seasonal shifts in crowds and prices, with quieter periods offering better value for longer stays. For neighborhood fit, test a mix of central districts and residential pockets to balance walkability, safety, and access to markets. Embrace local markets for fresh produce, and choose public transport or bikes to keep costs predictable while you explore. Tip: set a monthly check-in to rebalance as needed.