EUROCOSTSCOUNTRY COMPARISON · UPDATED 2026-07-16
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Macedonia: taxes, salary and cost of living
A move between Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia is not simply a choice between a cheap and an expensive country; income, rent and taxation pull the result in different directions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs North Macedonia at a glance
| Indicator | Bosnia and Herzegovina | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VAT | 17% | 18% |
| Income tax | 10% FBiH / 8% RS | 10% |
| Social contributions | 31% FBiH / ~32.8% RS / ~24% Brcko | 27% |
| Tax burden | ~35% | 35.3% |
| Average monthly salary | 1,339 € gross/month | €1,070 |
| Studio rent | €301 | €350 |
| Monthly food estimate | €220 | €220 |
| Gasoline | 1.33 €/L | 1.27 €/L |
| Electricity | 0.13 €/kWh | 0.11 €/kWh |
Salary advantage and purchasing power
The salary records for Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia are not directly numeric in both cases. A responsible comparison therefore avoids inventing a salary gap and treats the displayed labels as source notes to verify.
Housing pressure and everyday spending
Bosnia and Herzegovina has the lower listed studio rent by €49, a 14.0% difference relative to the higher rent. Bosnia and Herzegovina sits 2 of 37 and North Macedonia 3 of 37 in the available low-to-high rent ranking. Bosnia and Herzegovina also has the lower food estimate, so the housing result is reinforced by groceries.
A simplified salary-minus-rent-and-food remainder cannot be calculated reliably for both Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia because at least one component is non-numeric. The interactive calculator should be used only after verifying those inputs.
VAT and personal tax context
Tax-burden values include a range or text note for at least one country. The standard VAT comparison—17% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 18% in North Macedonia—is more directly comparable, although reduced rates differ by product.
Driving and mobility costs
North Macedonia has the lower listed gasoline price by €0.06 per litre. For a driver buying 50 litres a month, that headline difference is about €3 monthly, before insurance, parking and road charges.
Choosing by relocation scenario
For a remote worker paid from abroad, housing and daily costs may matter more than the local salary ranking; on that narrow view, Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves closer attention. A locally employed professional should instead begin with salary and payroll definitions.
Where the comparison lands
The available headline indicators do not produce a clear overall winner between Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. Your choice should depend on salary, housing and tax priorities.
Sources and data references
- PwC standard VAT rates
- PwC personal income tax rates
- PwC corporate income tax rates
- EuroCosts data scope and generation process
Explore Bosnia and Herzegovina comparisons · Explore North Macedonia comparisons