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Santorini vs Thessaloniki cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฌ๐ท Santorini
๐ฌ๐ท Thessaloniki
At a glance
- Where Thessaloniki is clearly cheaper: Transit (73%โ), Half-day tour (61%โ), Taxi (58%โ)
- Where Santorini is clearly cheaper: Laundry (67%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Thessaloniki is easier to travel (2.0 vs 2.4). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Santorini 3 vs Thessaloniki 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Santorini | Thessaloniki | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โฌ 15$17.4 | โฌ 13$15.1 | Thessaloniki โ13% |
| Street food1 item | โฌ 4.5$5.23 | โฌ 4.5$5.23 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โฌ 32$37.2 | โฌ 25$29.1 | Thessaloniki โ22% |
| Coffeeone cup | โฌ 4.5$5.23 | โฌ 3.8$4.42 | Thessaloniki โ16% |
| Beerone bottle | โฌ 6$6.98 | โฌ 4.7$5.47 | Thessaloniki โ22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โฌ 13$15.1 | โฌ 10$11.6 | Thessaloniki โ23% |
| Bottled water | โฌ 1$1.16 | โฌ 0.5$0.58 | Thessaloniki โ50% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โฌ 2$2.33 | โฌ 1.5$1.74 | Thessaloniki โ25% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โฌ 18$20.9 | โฌ 7.5$8.72 | Thessaloniki โ58% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โฌ 12$14 | โฌ 5$5.81 | Thessaloniki โ58% |
| Transitone ride | โฌ 2.2$2.56 | โฌ 0.6$0.7 | Thessaloniki โ73% |
| Scooter rentalper day | โฌ 25$29.1 | โฌ 25$29.1 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | โฌ 140$163 | โฌ 85$98.8 | Thessaloniki โ39% |
| Studio rent (month) | โฌ 900$1,047 | โฌ 500$581 | Thessaloniki โ44% |
| Laundry | โฌ 3$3.49 | โฌ 9$10.5 | Santorini โ67% |
| SIM card1 week data | โฌ 15$17.4 | โฌ 10$11.6 | Thessaloniki โ33% |
| Haircutcut | โฌ 15$17.4 | โฌ 12$14 | Thessaloniki โ20% |
| Massage1 hour | โฌ 55$64 | โฌ 28$32.6 | Thessaloniki โ49% |
| Half-day tourper person | โฌ 90$105 | โฌ 35$40.7 | Thessaloniki โ61% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โฌ 12$14 | โฌ 10$11.6 | Thessaloniki โ17% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Santorini or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is 38% cheaper than Santorini. Daily budget $321 vs $206; a month $5,117 vs $3,018.
Which is easier to travel, Santorini or Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is easier: Thessaloniki 2.0/5 vs Santorini 2.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Santorini and Thessaloniki?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Santorini is about $5,117 and Thessaloniki about $3,018 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.