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Cost of living in North Macedonia

What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes

#77 by cost of living in the world#38 in Europe

Monthly cost in North Macedonia

Spending runs from MKD 10,300 a month in the poorest fifth to MKD 69,200 in the richest

Per person, whole country

MKD 29,400

what a typical person spends in a month

Spending across the population

poorest 20%
MKD 10,300
richest 20%
MKD 69,200

Where people spend money in North Macedonia

One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country

Groceries
MKD 9,11031%
Housing
MKD 6,71023%
Other
MKD 3,73013%
Transport
MKD 2,5009%
Dining out
MKD 2,4008%
Leisure & culture
MKD 1,4405%

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Key facts

The cost of living in North Macedonia in numbers

Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget

It absorbs 31% of spending here, or MKD 9,110 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 11.3 points more.

Typical spending takes 60% of the average wage

A typical person spends MKD 29,400 a month while the average take-home wage is MKD 48,600, so 40% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.

How living costs in North Macedonia compare

Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure

monthly spend · % vs North Macedonia
1Greece
MKD 73,400+150%
2Montenegro
MKD 47,100+60%
3Bulgaria
MKD 46,400+58%
4Serbia
MKD 39,700+35%
5Albania
MKD 38,300+30%
6North Macedonia
MKD 29,400
7Kosovo
MKD 25,800-12%

What things cost here

How much the same goods and services cost in North Macedonia against other countries

Cheaper than 60% of countries

Where North Macedonia sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive

cheapest
Pakistan
most expensive
Bermuda
world
middle

A basket of goods and services that costs MKD 53,300 at world-middle prices costs MKD 48,200 here.

Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth

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What it costs to live in North Macedonia

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Cost of living in North Macedonia

MKD 10,300/mo

vs MKD 42,600 in your country

Take-home

MKD 39,000

vs MKD 63,900 in your country

Potential savings

MKD 28,700

more than in your country

Standard of living

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Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in North Macedonia?

A typical person in North Macedonia spends about MKD 29,400 a month — around MKD 353,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.

What is the standard of living in North Macedonia?

By spending, North Macedonia ranks #77 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about MKD 29,400 a month, the poorest 20% about MKD 10,300 and the richest 20% about MKD 69,200. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.

What is the cost of living in North Macedonia in US dollars?

The cost of living in North Macedonia is about $552 a month, or roughly $6,624 a year per person.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in North Macedonia?

It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about MKD 10,300 a month per person, a typical one around MKD 29,400, and a comfortable life around MKD 44,100. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.

What do people spend the most on in North Macedonia?

The biggest expense is groceries, at about MKD 9,110 a month (31% of spending). Then come housing (MKD 6,710, 23%) and transport (MKD 2,500, 9%).

Is the average salary in North Macedonia enough to live on?

Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about MKD 29,400 a month, while the average take-home pay in North Macedonia is about MKD 48,600. For more on incomes, see salaries in North Macedonia.

Is North Macedonia an expensive country to live in?

Somewhat. North Macedonia is more expensive than 59% of countries worldwide and ranks 38th of 41 in Europe by cost of living.

What currency is used in North Macedonia?

North Macedonia uses the Macedonian Denar (MKD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.

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Living in North Macedonia

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