Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Albania and North Macedonia, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Albania and North Macedonia, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
19 of the 29 items cost less in North Macedonia.
Bottled, convenience store
Albania: ≈ $0.74 – $1.60 ALL 60–130 North Macedonia: ≈ $0.31 – $0.64 MKD 17–35 Cafe or street vendor
Albania: ≈ $0.86 – $1.50 ALL 70–120 North Macedonia: ≈ $1.10 – $2.40 MKD 60–130 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Albania: ≈ $3.10 – $6.10 ALL 250–500 North Macedonia: ≈ $1.50 – $3.70 MKD 80–200 Tourist area, main course
Albania: ≈ $10 – $25 ALL 800–2,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $6 – $15 MKD 350–800 Local market or stand
Albania: ≈ $2.50 – $6.10 ALL 200–500 North Macedonia: ≈ $1.50 – $4.60 MKD 80–250 Mixed drink, bar
Albania: ≈ $6 – $11 ALL 500–900 North Macedonia: ≈ $4.60 – $6.40 MKD 250–350 House wine, restaurant
Albania: ≈ $6 – $11 ALL 500–900 North Macedonia: ≈ $9 – $16 MKD 500–850 Cafe or street stall
Albania: ≈ $1.80 – $3.10 ALL 150–250 North Macedonia: ≈ $2 – $3.10 MKD 110–170 Standard route
Albania: ≈ $25 – $37 ALL 2,000–3,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $15 – $22 MKD 800–1,200 Metered or typical fare
Albania: ≈ $1.80 – $3.70 ALL 150–300 North Macedonia: ≈ $0.74 – $1.60 MKD 40–85 Single ride
Albania: ≈ $0.49 – $0.61 ALL 40–50 North Macedonia: ≈ $0.64 MKD 35 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Albania: ≈ $5 – $18 ALL 400–1,500 North Macedonia: ≈ $22 – $28 MKD 1,200–1,500 Tourist shop
Albania: ≈ $1.20 – $2.50 ALL 100–200 North Macedonia: ≈ $1.10 – $2.80 MKD 60–150 Tourist shop
Albania: ≈ $10 – $20 ALL 800–1,600 North Macedonia: ≈ $6 – $15 MKD 350–800 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Albania: ≈ $10 – $37 ALL 800–3,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $9 – $33 MKD 500–1,800 Data package
Albania: ≈ $10 – $25 ALL 800–2,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $6 – $11 MKD 300–600 Pharmacy or shop
Albania: ≈ $9 – $18 ALL 700–1,500 North Macedonia: ≈ $11 – $28 MKD 600–1,500 Supermarket
Albania: ≈ $0.61 – $1.20 ALL 50–100 North Macedonia: ≈ $0.37 – $0.64 MKD 20–35 Pack of 20
Albania: ≈ $3.70 – $6.10 ALL 300–500 North Macedonia: ≈ $2.90 – $3.70 MKD 160–200 Pack of 20 tablets
Albania: ≈ $0.44 – $1.40 ALL 36–110 North Macedonia: ≈ $0.48 – $1.40 MKD 26–77 Spray or lotion
Albania: ≈ $7 – $15 ALL 600–1,200 North Macedonia: ≈ $3.30 – $5.50 MKD 180–300 Local barbershop
Albania: ≈ $5 – $12 ALL 400–1,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $3.70 – $7.40 MKD 200–400 Laundry service
Albania: ≈ $1.80 – $4.90 ALL 150–400 North Macedonia: ≈ $3.70 – $7.40 MKD 200–400 Standard full-body massage
Albania: ≈ $25 – $49 ALL 2,000–4,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $22 – $46 MKD 1,200–2,500 Basic cut, salon
Albania: ≈ $7 – $15 ALL 600–1,200 North Macedonia: ≈ $2.80 – $7.40 MKD 150–400 Entrance ticket
Albania: ≈ $6 – $25 ALL 500–2,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $1.80 – $7.40 MKD 100–400 Organized excursion
Albania: ≈ $25 – $61 ALL 2,000–5,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $31 – $57 MKD 1,700–3,100 Organized excursion 6-8h
Albania: ≈ $41 – $74 ALL 3,300–6,000 North Macedonia: ≈ $46 – $64 MKD 2,500–3,500 Local cuisine cooking class
Albania: ≈ $43 – $65 ALL 3,500–5,300 North Macedonia: ≈ $18 – $37 MKD 1,000–2,000 Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price in Albania, against 2.4× in North Macedonia.
Albania 14th highest of 60
North Macedonia 8th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Albania Tipping is not mandatory in Albania, but 10% is appreciated in restaurants and cafes in Tirana. Leave cash on the table or hand it directly to the server.
North Macedonia Tipping 10% is appreciated in North Macedonian restaurants. Leave cash on the table after paying, it is a normal and accepted practice. In Skopje's café culture, rounding up the bill is a common gesture.
Yes. In North Macedonia you pay about 23% less than in Albania at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Albania 112, North Macedonia 86 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 19 of the 29 items cost less in North Macedonia.
A week is cheaper in North Macedonia: about $145 at fair prices, against $225 in Albania. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $745 in Albania and $355 in North Macedonia.
In North Macedonia: food and drinks cost about 21% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $10 – $25 in Albania and $6 – $15 in North Macedonia, street food $2.50 – $6.10 and $1.50 – $4.60.
In Albania: tourist prices there are about 3.0× the fair price on average, against 2.4× in North Macedonia. The biggest gaps in Albania: local handcraft (5.0×), men's haircut (4.6×), and public transit ticket (4.4×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Albania vs North Macedonia, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/albania-vs-north-macedonia/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
TruePrice keeps fair and tourist prices for both countries, and 58 more, on your phone. Offline too. Free on iPhone and Android.
