Cost of Living in North Macedonia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: North Macedonia
Address: MK

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $865 including rent across North Macedonia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,290 including rent across North Macedonia.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,715 including rent across North Macedonia.

Living costs in North Macedonia vary widely – from $744 in more affordable cities to $1,117 in major hubs, spanning a $373 range across 20 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.53 MKD 404

$4.33 MKD 232

$11.29 MKD 606

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.07 MKD 1,561

$19.13 MKD 1,027

$47.83 MKD 2,568

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 MKD 311

$4.83 MKD 259

$7.71 MKD 414

Cappuccino

$1.87 MKD 101

$1.12 MKD 60.1

$2.80 MKD 150

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

$1.82 MKD 97.5

$1.34 MKD 72.1

$2.70 MKD 145

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 MKD 65.7

$0.95 MKD 51.0

$1.90 MKD 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 MKD 119

$1.29 MKD 69.4

$3.71 MKD 199

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.79 MKD 150

$1.98 MKD 106

$4.64 MKD 249

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 MKD 73.0

$1.16 MKD 62.0

$1.64 MKD 87.8

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 MKD 38.53

$0.54 MKD 29.16

$1.13 MKD 60.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 MKD 87.9

$0.93 MKD 50.1

$2.23 MKD 120

Eggs

$2.17 MKD 117

$1.56 MKD 83.8

$2.89 MKD 155

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.72 MKD 468

$6.54 MKD 351

$12.15 MKD 652

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.25 MKD 389

$4.68 MKD 251

$9.34 MKD 502

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.45 MKD 668

$7.53 MKD 404

$16.96 MKD 911

Apples (1kg)

$1.00 MKD 53.7

$0.55 MKD 29.50

$1.84 MKD 99.0

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MKD 78.7

$1.15 MKD 61.8

$1.91 MKD 103

Oranges (1kg)

$1.31 MKD 70.3

$0.65 MKD 34.88

$2.04 MKD 109

Tomato (1kg)

$1.94 MKD 104

$1.12 MKD 60.1

$2.79 MKD 150

Potato (1kg)

$0.92 MKD 49.55

$0.57 MKD 30.83

$1.33 MKD 71.6

Onion (1kg)

$0.99 MKD 53.0

$0.55 MKD 29.68

$1.48 MKD 79.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 MKD 34.59

$0.37 MKD 19.62

$1.09 MKD 58.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 MKD 30.43

$0.39 MKD 21.02

$0.77 MKD 41.49

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.21 MKD 172

$2.84 MKD 152

$3.59 MKD 193

Wine (Bottle)

$5.61 MKD 301

$3.74 MKD 201

$11.22 MKD 602

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MKD 56.1

$0.93 MKD 49.77

$1.40 MKD 75.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 MKD 77.0

$0.93 MKD 49.93

$2.23 MKD 120

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.73 MKD 39.33

$0.55 MKD 29.37

$1.13 MKD 60.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$27.87 MKD 1,496

$18.57 MKD 997

$33.44 MKD 1,795

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.10 MKD 59.0

$0.91 MKD 49.05

$1.83 MKD 98.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 MKD 32.68

$0.43 MKD 23.26

$1.04 MKD 55.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.48 MKD 401

$5.61 MKD 301

$9.35 MKD 502

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 MKD 78.5

$1.38 MKD 74.3

$1.66 MKD 89.1

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

$34.1K MKD 1.8M

$30.3K MKD 1.6M

$37.9K MKD 2.0M

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

$30.6K MKD 1.6M

$28.1K MKD 1.5M

$33.8K MKD 1.8M

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

$149 MKD 7,980

$93.1 MKD 4,997

$223 MKD 12.0K

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

$17.60 MKD 945

$11.20 MKD 601

$22.41 MKD 1,203

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.77 MKD 1,008

$13.25 MKD 712

$28.40 MKD 1,525

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.79 MKD 1,707

$18.92 MKD 1,016

$47.32 MKD 2,540

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.59 MKD 783

$5.75 MKD 309

$19.14 MKD 1,028

Cinema Ticket

$6.75 MKD 362

$4.83 MKD 259

$7.71 MKD 414

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

$290 MKD 15.6K

$204 MKD 10.9K

$401 MKD 21.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,086 MKD 219.3K

$2,213 MKD 118.8K

$6,640 MKD 356.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.8 MKD 3,745

$27.82 MKD 1,493

$130 MKD 6,968

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.18 MKD 2,264

$22.87 MKD 1,228

$57.2 MKD 3,069

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.7 MKD 5,191

$57.1 MKD 3,063

$140 MKD 7,541

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 MKD 5,969

$65.3 MKD 3,508

$170 MKD 9,130

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$348 MKD 18.7K

$227 MKD 12.2K

$531 MKD 28.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$261 MKD 14.0K

$170 MKD 9,121

$378 MKD 20.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$556 MKD 29.9K

$369 MKD 19.8K

$852 MKD 45.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$404 MKD 21.7K

$283 MKD 15.2K

$580 MKD 31.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,944 MKD 104.4K

$1,204 MKD 64.7K

$2,806 MKD 150.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,321 MKD 70.9K

$917 MKD 49.2K

$2,200 MKD 118.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$770 MKD 41.3K

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: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $283 in North Macedonia. For reference, capital rent is $432 in Skopje, and $237 in Prilep.

National average salary: $653. With average costs at $865, the gap is significant. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $188 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $26.00 for two.

In Skopje (capital), expect about $1,117 per month, while Prilep offers the lowest costs at $744 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($865) is 35% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($283) is 55% below the global median of $632.

Dining out ($26.00) is 46% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($22.00) is 33% below the global median of $33.00.

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	$497	$880	$1,463	$1,757	146.55	64.54
2	Delcevo	17505	45	$578	$894	$1,394	$1,678	102.95	29.77
3	Gevgelija	20664	39	$530	$784	$1,364	$1,576	119.42	74.15
4	Gostivar	36000	40	$518	$804	$1,034	$1,584	105.13	58.38
5	Kavadarci	29320	40	$468	$790	$1,384	$1,621	38.41	59.89
6	Kicevo	31000	45	$506	$904	$1,265	$1,764	50.87	30.54
7	Kocani	29000	43	$473	$852	$1,382	$1,704	138.31	73.82
8	Kriva Palanka	14010	45	$554	$906	$1,164	$1,797	241.91	24.21
9	Kumanovo	75051	40	$402	$795	$1,199	$1,568	29.12	66.86
10	Ohrid	38940	47	$572	$925	$1,293	$2,111	26.12	61.25
11	Prilep	63308	38	$442	$744	$985	$1,565	320.78	52.33
12	Radovis	16690	45	$598	$901	$1,274	$1,780	124.83	61.72
13	Resen	8700	45	$475	$890	$1,505	$1,794	353.09	39.68
14	Skopje	422540	55	$710	$1,117	$1,724	$2,126	69.07	96.13
15	Stip	65000	39	$427	$774	$1,032	$1,520	54.61	74.84
16	Struga	33000	40	$404	$808	$1,251	$1,611	38.34	38.04
17	Strumica	36000	44	$454	$895	$1,077	$1,619	17.49	65.8
18	Sveti Nikole	13220	44	$573	$883	$1,211	$1,718	224.75	77.18
19	Tetovo	53000	49	$601	$995	$1,454	$1,929	163.12	65.57
20	Veles	43716	39	$507	$766	$1,210	$1,482	51.54	67.53

North Macedonia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.

As of 2026, living expenses in North Macedonia span $744 to $1,117 monthly. Capitals and tourist hotspots sit at the top end; provincial towns offer substantially cheaper living.

North Macedonia covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $744 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,117 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in North Macedonia drop fast. Prilep is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,000 a month goes far in North Macedonia, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.

Living in North Macedonia is cheap by global standards. Regional cities offer the best value, with the capital Skopje sitting higher. Low living costs are one of the country's main draws for expats, retirees, and anyone stretching a budget.