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Cost of Living in Skopje

Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia · Population 422,540 · National capital

▲ +24% vs North Macedonia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)ден31,168 ($557)
Couple, monthlyден55,509 ($991)
Family of four, monthlyден71,970 ($1,285)

Estimated Prices in Skopje

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantден328 ($5.85)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeден1,310 ($23.40)per meal
Cappuccinoден98.28 ($1.76)each
Monthly groceries (single person)ден7,426 ($133)per month
Monthly public transport passден1,201 ($21.45)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentден3,167 ($56.55)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)ден917 ($16.38)per month
Fitness club membershipден917 ($16.38)per month
Cinema ticketден240 ($4.29)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreден13,409 ($239)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreден9,328 ($167)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreден27,985 ($500)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Skopje is ден47,320 ($845) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ден31,168 ($557) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ден40,519 ($724) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (ден9,328 ($167)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Skopje

Skopje vs KumanovoSkopje vs BitolaSkopje vs TetovoSkopje vs VelesSkopje vs StrumicaSkopje vs Gostivar

Nearby Cities

Sopište

5 km away · Sopište

Radišani

7 km away · Skopje

Dračevo

10 km away · Skopje

Aračinovo

11 km away · Aračinovo

Čučer-Sandevo

12 km away · Čučer-Sandevo

Studeničani

12 km away · Studeničani

Ilinden

12 km away · Ilinden

Petrovec

16 km away · Petrovec

Other Major Cities in North Macedonia

Kumanovo

Kumanovo · pop. 70,842

ден23,520 ($420) / mo

Bitola

Bitola · pop. 69,287

ден23,520 ($420) / mo

Tetovo

Tetovo · pop. 63,176

ден23,520 ($420) / mo

Living in Skopje

Skopje is the capital and one of the key cities in North Macedonia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ден31,168 ($557), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ден9,328 ($167) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ден71,970 ($1,285) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ден55,509 ($991) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Skopje is ден47,320 ($845). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ден40,519 ($724) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skopje expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ден31,168 ($557) per month in Skopje including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for North Macedonia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Skopje?
A net salary of around ден40,519 ($724) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Skopje with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Skopje is ден47,320 ($845).
How much is rent in Skopje?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ден13,409 ($239) per month in the city centre and ден9,328 ($167) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ден27,985 ($500).
Is Skopje cheaper than North Macedonia on average?
No — Skopje is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the North Macedonia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Skopje?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ден7,426 ($133) in Skopje. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ден328 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around ден98 ($2).
How do transport costs in Skopje compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Skopje is estimated at ден1,201 ($21). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Skopje are estimates based on North Macedonia national averages adjusted for city size (population 422,540) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.