Cost of Living in North Macedonia

Updated: January 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to North Macedonia, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in North Macedonia?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in North Macedonia and whether the reported $892 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $366.7.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

North Macedonia

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	3.91 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	18.77 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	3.13 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	1.56 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	1.88 $
Cappuccino (regular)	1.18 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	1.08 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.77 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	0.89 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	0.52 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	1.05 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	1.64 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	5.2 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	4.63 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	7.49 $
Apples (1 lb)	0.71 $
Banana (1 lb)	0.99 $
Oranges (1 lb)	0.88 $
Tomato (1 lb)	1.08 $
Potato (1 lb)	0.55 $
Onion (1 lb)	0.52 $
Lettuce (1 head)	0.41 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	0.39 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	3.91 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	0.72 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	0.98 $
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	2.35 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	0.55 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	21.89 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	0.78 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	0.47 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	4.69 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	1.22 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	17311.71 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	17479.73 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	102.47 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.1 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	14.69 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	18.41 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	9.24 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	4.0 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	122.62 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	2488.64 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	43.9 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	26.61 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	64.81 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	66.44 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	181.54 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	130.5 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	293.16 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	214.92 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	1085.07 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	814.1 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	366.7 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	4.9 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 3.91 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 18.77 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 0.89 USD, a loaf of bread 0.52 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.64 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.55 USD and a monthly pass around 21.89 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 102.47 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 18.41 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 9.24 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 122.62 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 2488.64 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 43.9 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 64.81 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 181.54 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 130.5 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 1085.07 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 814.1 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 366.7 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 4.9% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in North Macedonia

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Macedonia is a generally safe country. You may encounter some petty crime on the streets because its people aren't really rich, but if you keep your belongings wisely by your side, you won't have any problems.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation in Macedonia is mainly safe. As in any other country, cab drivers could take advantage of an unprepared tourist, scamming him into paying the ride way too much.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Even though pickpocketing and small thefts are some of the most common crimes you can encounter in Macedonia, they are most common in big cities like Skopje, or other famous tourist destinations in Macedonia and even there they are rare compared to other bigger European capitals.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

Unfortunately, Macedonia has such geographical features that allow for the frequent occurrence of many natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, torrents, landslides, droughts, etc. However, floods here are probably the most dangerous: in the summer of 2016, a large flash flood occurred in the Skopje region causing 23 deaths and huge damage.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Even though crimes against tourists remain a problem in Macedonia, mugging is not an issue and rarely happens towards tourists, and more commonly as a result of organized crime gangs.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There is a moderate risk of terrorists trying to carry out attacks in North Macedonia, though in the recent past there haven't been any such attacks. Still, you should be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Scams do happen in Macedonia, but mostly only the typical ones, in the form of overpricing in bars, or by the street vendors. Drink spiking is also an issue in night clubs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Even though Macedonia is as safe as can be for women travelers, they should be aware of the dangers of roaming alone in a strange city. Just like pretty much anywhere, they should avoid walking alone down empty or poorly lit streets, walking past groups of people that behave or look strange or getting into conversations with unknown people that might seem strangely friendly.

Cost of Living in North Macedonia

North Macedonia

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing