Last update: Nov 2026 1.8M

Cost of Living in North Macedonia

Name: North Macedonia
Address: MK

Across North Macedonia, living costs for one person average $930 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $18 a day.

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🇲🇰 North Macedonia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in North Macedonia

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in North Macedonia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $930 including rent across North Macedonia.

$930 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,383 including rent across North Macedonia.

$1,383 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,836 including rent across North Macedonia.

$1,836 /mo

Living costs in North Macedonia vary widely – from $731 in the most affordable city to $1,074 in the most expensive one, spanning a $343 range across 20 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.13 MKD 390

$3.92 MKD 215

$10.70 MKD 586

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.99 MKD 1,478

$17.99 MKD 985

$41.38 MKD 2,266

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.41 MKD 296

$4.51 MKD 247

$7.22 MKD 395

Cappuccino

$1.69 MKD 92.8

$1.07 MKD 58.8

$2.69 MKD 147

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

$1.61 MKD 88.2

$1.24 MKD 67.9

$2.49 MKD 136

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 MKD 67.1

$0.93 MKD 50.9

$1.86 MKD 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 MKD 123

$1.30 MKD 71.4

$3.74 MKD 205

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 MKD 151

$1.84 MKD 101

$3.87 MKD 212

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 MKD 71.6

$1.12 MKD 61.4

$1.49 MKD 81.7

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 MKD 39.38

$0.56 MKD 30.94

$1.10 MKD 60.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.59 MKD 87.3

$1.10 MKD 60.2

$2.20 MKD 120

Eggs

$2.21 MKD 121

$1.62 MKD 88.8

$2.59 MKD 142

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.86 MKD 430

$6.18 MKD 338

$11.48 MKD 629

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.54 MKD 358

$3.62 MKD 198

$8.14 MKD 446

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.20 MKD 668

$7.72 MKD 423

$18.01 MKD 986

Apples (1kg)

$1.16 MKD 63.3

$0.53 MKD 29.27

$1.77 MKD 96.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 MKD 79.4

$1.12 MKD 61.3

$1.87 MKD 102

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 MKD 73.0

$0.83 MKD 45.70

$2.04 MKD 111

Tomato (1kg)

$1.82 MKD 99.8

$0.90 MKD 49.38

$2.71 MKD 148

Potato (1kg)

$0.88 MKD 48.17

$0.60 MKD 32.82

$1.40 MKD 76.8

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 MKD 55.1

$0.56 MKD 30.94

$1.64 MKD 90.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 MKD 34.20

$0.52 MKD 28.32

$1.06 MKD 58.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 MKD 29.98

$0.37 MKD 20.37

$0.75 MKD 41.30

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.30 MKD 181

$2.94 MKD 161

$3.67 MKD 201

Wine (Bottle)

$5.50 MKD 301

$3.67 MKD 201

$9.17 MKD 502

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 MKD 55.5

$0.89 MKD 48.99

$1.43 MKD 78.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 MKD 74.6

$1.10 MKD 60.2

$2.20 MKD 120

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.76 MKD 41.35

$0.57 MKD 31.15

$1.13 MKD 61.7

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.85 MKD 1,415

$22.16 MKD 1,214

$46.16 MKD 2,528

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.28 MKD 70.3

$1.10 MKD 60.3

$1.84 MKD 101

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.71 MKD 39.06

$0.47 MKD 25.47

$1.50 MKD 82.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.44 MKD 407

$5.58 MKD 305

$9.30 MKD 509

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 MKD 79.8

$1.33 MKD 72.9

$1.78 MKD 97.5

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

$33.6K MKD 1.8M

$32.7K MKD 1.8M

$35.8K MKD 2.0M

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

$27.9K MKD 1.5M

$24.7K MKD 1.4M

$32.7K MKD 1.8M

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

$144 MKD 7,907

$91.0 MKD 4,980

$210 MKD 11.5K

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

$17.18 MKD 941

$9.19 MKD 503

$18.68 MKD 1,023

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.96 MKD 929

$12.57 MKD 688

$28.73 MKD 1,573

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.09 MKD 1,483

$18.02 MKD 987

$45.06 MKD 2,467

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.74 MKD 807

$7.37 MKD 404

$18.43 MKD 1,009

Cinema Ticket

$6.53 MKD 357

$4.66 MKD 255

$7.46 MKD 409

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

$286 MKD 15.7K

$180 MKD 9,855

$450 MKD 24.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,525 MKD 412.1K

$4,478 MKD 245.2K

$19.7K MKD 1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.4 MKD 3,636

$26.98 MKD 1,477

$117 MKD 6,402

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.55 MKD 2,056

$21.43 MKD 1,174

$53.6 MKD 2,934

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.6 MKD 4,744

$53.7 MKD 2,938

$116 MKD 6,365

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 MKD 5,532

$53.9 MKD 2,951

$153 MKD 8,361

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$297 MKD 16.3K

$218 MKD 11.9K

$445 MKD 24.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$235 MKD 12.8K

$166 MKD 9,111

$342 MKD 18.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$538 MKD 29.5K

$343 MKD 18.8K

$897 MKD 49.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$360 MKD 19.7K

$261 MKD 14.3K

$641 MKD 35.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,888 MKD 103.4K

$1,174 MKD 64.3K

$2,912 MKD 159.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,309 MKD 71.7K

$899 MKD 49.3K

$2,159 MKD 118.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$736 MKD 40.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.69

6.9

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

Last update: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

North Macedonia $930

Accommodation & Living

$235 25.2%

Groceries & Markets

$190 20.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$179 19.2%

Clothing & Footwear

$131 14.1%

Eating Out

$122 13.1%

Sport & Entertainment

$40 4.3%

Getting Around

$34 3.6%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $273 in North Macedonia. For reference, capital rent is $382 in Skopje, and $231 in Prilep.

National average salary: $640. With average costs at $930, it doesn’t cover a typical monthly budget. Expats and remote workers with foreign income benefit most.

Expect to spend about $187 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $27 for two.

In Skopje (capital), expect about $1,074 per month, while Prilep offers the lowest costs at $731 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($930) is 31% below the global median of $1,352.

Average rent ($273) is 59% below the global median of $664.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($27) is 43% below the global median of $47.

Public transport ($24) is 27% below the global median of $33.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

09:38 9:38 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,836,713

💱 Currency

North Macedonian Denar MKD ден

📈 Exchange rate

100 MKD = 1.83 USD

100 MKD = 1.63 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	41	$525	$861	$1,275	$1,719	146.55	64.54
2	Delcevo	17505	46	$618	$972	$1,406	$1,863	102.95	29.77
3	Gevgelija	20664	38	$510	$800	$1,276	$1,660	119.42	74.15
4	Gostivar	36000	40	$514	$836	$1,264	$1,698	105.13	58.38
5	Kavadarci	29320	37	$497	$768	$1,212	$1,568	38.41	59.89
6	Kicevo	31000	43	$539	$893	$1,273	$1,732	50.87	30.54
7	Kocani	29000	42	$520	$872	$1,304	$1,758	138.31	73.82
8	Kriva Palanka	14010	47	$618	$972	$1,518	$1,972	241.91	24.21
9	Kumanovo	75051	38	$465	$787	$1,152	$1,532	29.12	66.86
10	Ohrid	38940	46	$668	$966	$1,614	$2,107	26.12	61.25
11	Prilep	63308	35	$439	$731	$1,087	$1,491	320.78	52.33
12	Radovis	16690	43	$555	$905	$1,305	$1,757	124.83	61.72
13	Resen	8700	46	$619	$973	$1,521	$1,977	353.09	39.68
14	Skopje	422540	51	$615	$1,074	$1,499	$2,131	69.07	96.13
15	Stip	65000	39	$522	$805	$1,247	$1,602	54.61	74.84
16	Struga	33000	41	$540	$855	$1,314	$1,770	38.34	38.04
17	Strumica	36000	41	$471	$859	$1,126	$1,574	17.49	65.8
18	Sveti Nikole	13220	41	$525	$860	$1,327	$1,783	224.75	77.18
19	Tetovo	53000	47	$566	$993	$1,360	$1,994	163.12	65.57
20	Veles	43716	37	$487	$769	$1,159	$1,508	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 $731 to $1,074 monthly. Which city you choose has a big effect on your budget.

North Macedonia covers a wide cost spectrum. As of 2026, monthly expenses run from about $731 in budget-friendly smaller cities to $1,074 in the priciest areas. The gap is big enough to meaningfully affect lifestyle for anyone on a fixed income.

Outside the capital, costs in North Macedonia drop noticeably. Prilep is one of the best budget options.

$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.