Skyline of Veles
Cost of Living: 48 44,000

Veles, North Macedonia

A city in central North Macedonia on the Vardar River, known for its marble and textile industries, and the historic Church of St. Panteleimon.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Veles is a city in Vardar with a population of 44,000. A city in central North Macedonia on the Vardar River, known for its marble and textile industries, and the historic Church of St. Panteleimon. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 48

Below Average vs North Macedonia Avg (100)

Housing Index 38

Affordable

Median Income MKD 290,000

Household income

Unemployment 14.0%

Job market health

Veles vs North Macedonia Average

Cost of Living
Veles: 48
North Macedonia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Veles: 38
North Macedonia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Veles: 10%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10.0%
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: MKD 290,000
  • Unemployment: 14.0%
  • Population: 44,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: ден2,500,000
  • 1BR Rent: ден8000/mo

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Cost of Living

Veles's cost of living index is 48 (North Macedonia average = 100).

CategoryVelesNational AverageDifference
Overall48100-52.0%
Housing38100-62.0%

Data source: MAKSTAT / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Priceден2,500,000
Median Rent (1BR)ден8000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)ден10,000/mo
Price per Sq Ftден1,666

Data source: Pazar3.mk / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

ден
%
$90,000 down
%
%
ден

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Veles:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricityден1500
Heating & Coolingден1895Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)ден183Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterден500Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)ден1000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitiesден5078Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ERC, ELEM, Makedonski Telekom 2025

Remote Work Score

Veles scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
48
Rent
ден8000
Sunny Days
230
Tax
10%
Unemployment
14.0%
Climate
88°F / 26°F
Safety
1.1 homicides/100k
Population
44,000
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Veles has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April73°F41°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Veles faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

North Macedonia experiences winter storms.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10%
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 14.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Veles per 100,000 residents:

20.0
Violent Crime
455.6
Property Crime
1.1
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic calendar.

Demographics

The population of Veles is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Albanian
25.0%
Macedonian
58.0%
Other
10.0%
Roma
3.0%
Turkish
4.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
25.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Orthodox)
60.0%
Muslim
33.0%
Other
7.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: State Statistical Office (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Veles, North Macedonia?

The cost of living index in Veles is 48, which is Lower the North Macedonia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Veles?

The median home price in Veles is ден2,500,000. The housing index is 38.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Veles is approximately ден8000/mo.

Does Veles, Vardar have income tax?

Veles is in Vardar, which has an income tax rate of 10%.

What is the climate like in Veles?

Veles enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: MAKSTAT / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Pazar3.mk / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: MAKSTAT Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ERC, ELEM, Makedonski Telekom 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.