Cost Of Living For a Student in Shkodra 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ALL
Average monthly spending for students in Shkodra
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Shkodra?
Students in Shkodra spend around 160,000 ALL per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 24,000 ALL or as high as 1M ALL. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Shkodra
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 310 ALL | 620 ALL | 1,000 ALL |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,000 ALL | 1,600 ALL | 3,100 ALL |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,100 ALL | 3,100 ALL | 13,000 ALL |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 410 ALL | 620 ALL | 1,200 ALL |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,600 ALL | 2,100 ALL | 4,100 ALL |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,600 ALL | 2,100 ALL | 3,200 ALL |
Average car price
| 780,000 ALL | 1.6M ALL | 2.1M ALL |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,100 ALL | 3,200 ALL | 6,300 ALL |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 950 ALL | 6,300 ALL | 42,000 ALL |
Internet and cable
| 1,600 ALL | 3,100 ALL | 4,100 ALL |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,200 ALL | 2,100 ALL | 6,200 ALL |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 780 ALL | 1,000 ALL | 1,600 ALL |
One month gym membership
| 2,500 ALL | 3,200 ALL | 6,300 ALL |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,900 ALL | 2,600 ALL | 4,000 ALL |
Woman dress
| 1,800 ALL | 2,400 ALL | 7,900 ALL |
Woman shoes
| 1,700 ALL | 2,300 ALL | 5,300 ALL |
Men's shoes
| 1,400 ALL | 1,800 ALL | 3,500 ALL |
Men suit
| 1,600 ALL | 2,000 ALL | 11,000 ALL |
Regular t-shirt
| 790 ALL | 1,100 ALL | 3,200 ALL |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 26,000 ALL | 40,000 ALL | 110,000 ALL |
1-bedroom apartment
| 40,000 ALL | 63,000 ALL | 160,000 ALL |
2-bedroom apartment
| 53,000 ALL | 79,000 ALL | 210,000 ALL |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 5.3M ALL | 7.9M ALL | 16M ALL |
1-bedroom apartment
| $66,000 | $110,000 | $410,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| $110,000 | $330,000 | $660,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 31,000 ALL | 39,000 ALL | 52,000 ALL |
Double Bed
| 21,000 ALL | 31,000 ALL | 39,000 ALL |
Single Bed
| 18,000 ALL | 24,000 ALL | 31,000 ALL |
Living Room
| 35,000 ALL | 44,000 ALL | 160,000 ALL |
Dining Table
| 16,000 ALL | 21,000 ALL | 39,000 ALL |
Sofa or Couch
| 21,000 ALL | 28,000 ALL | 62,000 ALL |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 21,000 ALL | 31,000 ALL | 62,000 ALL |
Fridge or Freezer
| 18,000 ALL | 28,000 ALL | 39,000 ALL |
Washing Machine
| 24,000 ALL | 35,000 ALL | 62,000 ALL |
Stove or Cooker
| 22,000 ALL | 28,000 ALL | 39,000 ALL |
Mobile Phone
| 26,000 ALL | 31,000 ALL | 44,000 ALL |
Laptop or Computer
| 28,000 ALL | 35,000 ALL | 62,000 ALL |
How do students spend their money in Shkodra?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $59 5,700 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $390 38,000 ALL |
| HIGH | $2,600 250,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
Students in Shkodra typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 38,000 ALL with expenditure ranging from 5,700 ALL to 250,000 ALL. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $9.9 950 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $65 6,300 ALL |
| HIGH | $440 42,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Shkodra ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 6,300 ALL with 950 ALL and 42,000 ALL being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $17 1,700 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $110 11,000 ALL |
| HIGH | $760 73,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 1,700 ALL to 73,000 ALL in a month on commuting with 11,000 ALL being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $49 4,700 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $330 31,000 ALL |
| HIGH | $2,200 210,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Shkodra is 31,000 ALL. The cost of groceries can range between 4,700 ALL to 210,000 ALL. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $15 1,400 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $98 9,400 ALL |
| HIGH | $650 63,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
Students in Shkodra allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,400 ALL to 63,000 ALL with 9,400 ALL being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $12 1,200 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $82 7,800 ALL |
| HIGH | $540 52,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,200 ALL to 52,000 ALL with 7,800 ALL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $47 4,500 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $310 30,000 ALL |
| HIGH | $2,100 200,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 30,000 ALL per month with 4,500 ALL being the minimum spent amount and 200,000 ALL being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $37 3,600 ALL |
| AVERAGE | $240 23,000 ALL |
| HIGH | $1,600 160,000 ALL |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Shkodra
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Shkodra?
Around 63% of surveyed students think that living in Shkodra is affordable with proper budgeting while 37% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Shkodra
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options61%
Few low-cost options39%
Based on the survey, 61% of the students living in Shkodra have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Shkodra whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes63%
No37%
Based on the survey, 37% of the students living in Shkodra said that they don't have an emergency fund while 63% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Albania
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy55%
We asked student guardians and parents in Shkodra whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 45% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 55% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Albania have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 36% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 64% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance36%
Easily manages finances64%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Shkodra
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Shkodra
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 26,000 ALL | 40,000 ALL | 110,000 ALL |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 40,000 ALL | 63,000 ALL | 160,000 ALL |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 53,000 ALL | 79,000 ALL | 210,000 ALL |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 63,000 ALL | 110,000 ALL | 290,000 ALL |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 130,000 ALL | 320,000 ALL | 630,000 ALL |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 110,000 ALL | 160,000 ALL | 450,000 ALL |
House monthly rent cost
| 130,000 ALL | 320,000 ALL | 630,000 ALL |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 160,000 ALL | 400,000 ALL | 630,000 ALL |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Shkodra ranges between 26,000 ALL and 110,000 ALL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 40,000 ALL to 160,000 ALL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 53,000 ALL and 210,000 ALL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 63,000 ALL to 290,000 ALL. The average rent of a townhouse in Shkodra is around 160,000 ALL while house rental costs can be as high as 320,000 ALL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 160,000 ALL to 630,000 ALL per month.
Apartment and house prices in Shkodra
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 5.3M ALL | 7.9M ALL | 16M ALL |
1-bedroom apartment price
| $66,000 | $110,000 | $410,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $110,000 | $330,000 | $660,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 45M ALL | 110M ALL | 400M ALL |
House price
| 53M ALL | 320M ALL | 450M ALL |
Villa price
| 63M ALL | 350M ALL | 530M ALL |
The average price of a studio apartment in Shkodra can range from 5.3M ALL to 16M ALL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 6.3M ALL to 40M ALL. A villa can cost you 350M ALL on average with prices ranging from 63M ALL to 530M ALL.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Shkodra will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 34 | x95 monthly income | 205 |
Property prices in Shkodra can be x95 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x95 multiples of the average monthly salary in Shkodra.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Shkodra is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
28% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 470 ALL | 6,200 ALL | 62,000 ALL |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Shkodra
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Shkodra
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 950 ALL | 6,300 ALL | 42,000 ALL |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,600 ALL | 3,100 ALL | 4,100 ALL |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,200 ALL | 2,100 ALL | 6,200 ALL |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 6,300 ALL. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,600 ALL to 4,100 ALL with 3,100 ALL being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,100 ALL but can range between 1,200 ALL and 6,200 ALL depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Shkodra is around 6.3%. This means that people pay 6.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.2% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Shkodra
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Shkodra
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 310 ALL | 620 ALL | 1,000 ALL |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Shkodra is approximatly 620 ALL with meal cost ranging from 310 ALL to 1,000 ALL. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,000 ALL | 1,600 ALL | 3,100 ALL |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,000 ALL and 3,100 ALL with 1,600 ALL being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Shkodra.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,100 ALL | 3,100 ALL | 13,000 ALL |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,100 ALL to 13,000 ALL with the average cost being 3,100 ALL for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Shkodra.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Shkodra is around 410 ALL. Price ranges between 260 ALL and 620 ALL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Shkodra is 250 ALL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 310 ALL and the minimum being 210 ALL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 210 ALL on average with 160 ALL and 310 ALL being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Shkodra is between 350 ALL and 650 ALL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 460 ALL.
Pack of beef price
| 410 ALL | 620 ALL | 1,200 ALL |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 620 ALL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Shkodra costs around 230 ALL on average with prices rangeing between 170 ALL and 320 ALL depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 62 ALL to 160 ALL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 150 ALL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Shkodra is around 29%. This means that students spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 4,700 ALL to 210,000 ALL with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
