Skopje skyline

🇲🇰Cost of Living in Skopje

North Macedonia · Population: 600,000 · Cost Index: 27/100

Cost of Living in Skopje

North Macedonia · Europe

Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia, a Balkan city straddling the Vardar River with a striking mix of Ottoman, Byzantine, and modern neoclassical architecture from its controversial 'Skopje 2014' project. It is one of the most affordable capitals in Europe, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and warm hospitality.

600,000

Population

27

Cost Index

55

Safety Index

45

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $580 (single person, excluding rent)

Estimated monthly budget in Skopje

Typical total monthly cost by household type.

Single person
$580
per month
Couple
$870
per month
Family of 4
$1,220
per month
Student
$440
per month

Estimates based on the average cost of living in Skopje, scaled by household size. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood and housing.

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $342.50
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$300.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$200.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$520.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$350.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $3.78
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$4.00
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$20.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$4.00
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$0.80
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.40
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.00
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.50
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.00
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.00
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.10

Transportation

Avg: $4.21
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$18.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.40
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.80
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.50
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.35

Utilities

Avg: $28.67
Basic Utilities (85m² Apt)(per month)
$65.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$7.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$14.00

Healthcare

Avg: $10.33
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$12.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$15.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$4.00

Entertainment

Avg: $6.83
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$20.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$4.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$1.50
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$1.80

Clothing

Avg: $36.67
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$35.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$20.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$55.00

Popular Skopje comparisons

Frequently asked questions about Skopje

Is Skopje expensive to live in?
Skopje has a cost of living index of 27 out of 100, where New York City scores 100. This makes it one of the more affordable cities we track.
How much money do you need to live in Skopje?
A single person needs an estimated $580 per month to live in Skopje, covering rent, food, transport and other essentials. A family or a more comfortable lifestyle will cost more.
What is the cost of living index in Skopje?
Skopje's cost of living index is 27 out of 100. The index is relative to New York City (100), so a score of 50 means overall costs are roughly half those of New York.
What is quality of life like in Skopje?
Skopje scores 45 out of 100 for quality of life and 55 out of 100 for safety in our index.

Data & sources

Cost figures on this site are independent estimates, cross-referenced with public data sources including World Bank, Numbeo, Eurostat, OECD.

Compare Skopje with another city

See how Skopje stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
MKD
Language
Macedonian
Cost Index
27/100
Safety Index
55/100
Quality of Life
45/100

Data last updated: . Prices are approximate and shown in USD.

Cities with a similar cost of living to Skopje