Montenegro vs North Macedonia
North Macedonia costs roughly 20% less than Montenegro. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
North Macedonia is approximately 20% less expensive than Montenegro based on cost of living including rent. This makes North Macedonia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
North Macedonia has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 58.9, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: North Macedonia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Montenegro
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a built-in expat scene, both are limited here. But at $701/mo living costs plus sub-$700 rent, a 9% entry-level income tax rate, and a low-bar digital nomad visa ($1,542/mo), it suits budget-focused remote workers and early retirees comfortable navigating a small expat footprint.
$1,630/mo
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About North Macedonia
A digital nomad visa exists, requiring a minimum monthly income of $2,175, while a temporary residence permit route also offers a clear pathway to residency, which gives remote workers certainty. Budget-focused retirees should look past that gap: rent runs $336.79/mo in the city center and monthly costs excluding rent sit at $612, against a flat 10% income tax. Small expat community, medium English proficiency, but a 35.5 COL index makes the math work for anyone prioritizing cash flow over ease.
$2,051/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
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| Metric | Montenegro | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 129.8 +9.5 | 120.3 |
| Healthcare Index | 56.4 +1.3 | 55.1 |
| Safety Index | 58.7 | 58.9 +0.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 42.7 | 35.5 +7.2 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $701.6 | $612 +89.6 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,566.9 | $2,102.1 +464.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $668.38 | $336.79 +331.59 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $487.17 | $259.5 +227.67 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,197.76 | $570.73 +627.03 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $914.4 | $407.03 +507.37 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 74.5 Mbps | 105.73 Mbps +31.2 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in North Macedonia. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to North Macedonia. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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