How Much Does It Cost to Live In Skopje?
Before you move to Skopje, you should know that you’re moving into a city and a country that is pretty European by all standards:in terms of lifestyle, infrastructure and any other aspect of living – except in terms of prices! Bingo!
You should expect a pretty descent quality of living, good services, and low prices for basic commodities.
You can rent an apartment for around 200$ there, eat out for less than a dollar (if you’re into street food), even utilities are cheap.
Also, expect friendly and warm people that will be glad to help you and recommend cheap places.
North Macedonia : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
As mentioned before, restaurants and eating out in Skopje are very affordable. You can eat at a mid-range restaurant for 16$ for two people! Soft drinks, juices and coffee cost around 1$ in inexpensive restaurants and street food kiosks. If you like fast food you will not pay more than $2 for a burger. Pizzas in restaurants are $3 and beer is around $2.
MARKETS
Food is generally cheap. When you go grocery shopping, bring around 25$ and you’ll be able to eat for probably a whole week. All of the basic groceries cost less than a dollar. Though restaurants are definitely cheap in this country, cooking at home will save you a lot of money. Ask the locals about the cheapest supermarkets.
TRANSPORTATION
Public transport is definitely not organized well and you can’t count on it really, but at least it’s cheap! A one-way ticket for public transport is less than a dollar, and a monthly pass costs less than 30$ which can be considered a reasonable price. The buses are somewhat late but you can mostly catch one with just a bit of waiting.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities (water, gas, heating, cooling and electricity) can be around 50$ per month if you’re renting a really small apartment. If the apartment is larger, around 85m2, it will cost you around 120$ and if there’s central heating, add 25$-45$ more per month (but it really depends on the size of the apartment).
SPORTS & LEISURE
Being a member of a fitness club or a gym isn’t expensive either in the capital of Macedonia. A membership in either one will cost you around 25$ which is incredibly cheap, considering the prices in the rest of Europe. Cinema tickets in Skopje are not expensive – not cheap either, mind you – but not expensive, costing around 5$ each.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Shopping is definitely recommended for anyone who wanders off to Skopje. It is very cheap and Skopje, as the capital, has many shopping malls where you can have a good time. You can buy yourself some quality jeans like Levi’s for just a bit more than 40$, while quality running sneakers will cost you around 80$, which actually is a bit pricey.
RENT PER MONTH
The price of rent depends on what you want and prefer. If you live alone you can rent a fully furnished studio for about $200 or a one-bedroom apartment for $250. Two-bedroom apartments are $300 and if you’re looking for that apartment to be in the very center of Skopje, then it will cost well above 400$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Skopje
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.58 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.86 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.84 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.93 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.53 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.59 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.65 |
| Monthly Pass | $27.90 |
| Gasoline | $1.27 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $117.09 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $19.65 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $25.51 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $8.83 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.65 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $52.36 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.41 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $81.56 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $263.32 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $187.19 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $435.17 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Skopje?
Food is definitely number one thing people spend their money on in Skopje, like in most cities around the world.
The next expense that draws most funds from people of Macedonia, is rent – but there isn’t a huge difference between the money spent on rent and the money spent on transportation. It’s something that has to be paid every month if you want to get anywhere.
The least important expense for an average person living in Skopje is clothing, as well as sports and leisure.
Average Costs Breakdown
Skopje: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
As expected, since the expenses and prices are low – the salaries in Skopje are low too.
Minimum wage in this country is around 290$ which makes it rather difficult to make ends meet.
Average monthly net salary, in turn, is around 400$ which is also a small amount of money, but it does allow for citizens to cover most expenses and buy all necessities.
Tourists that want to visit Skopje and plan on staying there for a month, should bring around 700$ and that would definitely suffice.
Skopje Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Skopje Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Who do we contact to rent an apartment long term???