MigrantoCost of living in North Macedonia
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
MKD 29,400
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
MKD 10,300richest 20%
MKD 69,200
North Macedonia is a small, landlocked economy where food and the basics come cheap, but housing pulls harder on the budget than in its neighbors. What stands out is the distance between lives here: a comfortable existence and a hand-to-mouth one are a long way apart, so what it costs you depends a great deal on which of those you're after.
Where people spend money in North Macedonia
Groceries and rent together take the largest share of a typical month, and rent is the one that bites — keeping a decent place to live is the real pressure on the budget here. Getting around adds a steady cost on top, while food and housing are the lines you simply can't avoid.
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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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How living costs in North Macedonia compare
North Macedonia ranks among the least costly places in Europe, and worldwide it sits around the middle. Modest local wages keep most prices down, though it still asks more than the world's poorest economies do.
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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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 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.
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Living in North Macedonia
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