😐A single person spends $1,312 per month in Ahmadi vs $1,031 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,053 per month in Ahmadi vs $1,599 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,794 per month in Ahmadi vs $2,167 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Ahmadi costs about 27% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Ahmadi and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Ahmadi2% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.01KWD 1.54
$6.16COP 20.1K
-18.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.44KWD 7.51
$32.60COP 106.1K
-25.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.01KWD 2.46
$7.34COP 23.9K
9.13%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.42KWD 0.74
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60KWD 0.49
-
-
Cappuccino
$5.67KWD 1.74
$1.72COP 5,600
229.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51KWD 0.16
$1.05COP 3,420
-51.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32KWD 0.10
$0.77COP 2,515
-58.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.69COP 5,488
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.17COP 10.3K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29KWD 0.40
$1.05COP 3,423
22.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.80KWD 0.25
$1.30COP 4,236
-38.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61KWD 0.49
$1.40COP 4,544
15.00%
Eggs
$1.39KWD 0.43
$2.16COP 7,047
-35.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.33KWD 1.02
$4.39COP 14.3K
-24.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.79KWD 1.47
$5.88COP 19.1K
-18.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.41KWD 3.20
$8.64COP 28.1K
20.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.43KWD 0.44
$2.28COP 7,426
-37.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51KWD 0.47
$1.11COP 3,604
36.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.17KWD 0.36
$1.53COP 4,983
-23.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.80KWD 0.25
$1.35COP 4,410
-40.74%
Potato(1kg)
$0.47KWD 0.14
$1.13COP 3,674
-58.41%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47KWD 0.14
$1.13COP 3,692
-58.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34KWD 0.41
$0.85COP 2,753
57.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45KWD 0.14
$0.91COP 2,975
-50.55%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.21KWD 0.99
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06KWD 0.32
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40KWD 0.43
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96KWD 0.91
$2.34COP 7,630
26.50%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$12.37COP 40.3K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20COP 3,909
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.49COP 8,104
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.95KWD 0.29
$0.84COP 2,728
13.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.44KWD 9.05
$40.57COP 132.1K
-27.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.36KWD 1.03
$1.42COP 4,623
136.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.21KWD 0.99
$1.92COP 6,235
67.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.55KWD 5.09
$7.66COP 24.9K
116.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.34KWD 0.10
$0.99COP 3,223
-65.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KKWD 6,445
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
16.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.5KKWD 5,696
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-30.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.7KWD 18.98
$80.8COP 263.1K
-23.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.26KWD 5.00
$9.95COP 32.4K
63.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.32KWD 7.78
$24.18COP 78.7K
4.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$133KWD 41.01
$25.08COP 81.7K
431.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$49.25KWD 15.14
$19.15COP 62.3K
157.18%
Cinema Ticket
$11.23KWD 3.45
$3.98COP 13.0K
182.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$97.6KWD 29.99
$305COP 993.5K
-68.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,535KWD 2,009
$6,059COP 19.7M
7.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.40KWD 12.73
$58.1COP 189.2K
-28.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.66KWD 13.11
$32.20COP 104.8K
32.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.3KWD 27.46
$101COP 327.9K
-11.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.6KWD 24.76
$108COP 350.8K
-25.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$828KWD 255
$477COP 1.6M
73.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$632KWD 194
$376COP 1.2M
67.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,903KWD 585
$845COP 2.7M
125.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,257KWD 387
$730COP 2.4M
72.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,101KWD 953
$3,215COP 10.5M
-3.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,500KWD 768
$1,372COP 4.5M
82.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ahmadi
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,522KWD 1,083
$617COP 2.0M
470.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
13.43
-66.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ahmadi: July 12, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $828 in Ahmadi versus $477 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 471% higher in Ahmadi, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $24.00 in Ahmadi versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $136 vs $193 – making Ahmadi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ahmadi vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Ahmadi?
Yes – Ahmadi is pricier by about 27%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,969 per month in Ahmadi and $1,546 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $97.6 per month in Ahmadi and $305 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Ahmadi and in Medellin?
Interestingly, groceries are about 42% cheaper in Ahmadi – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Ahmadi or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,031, than in Ahmadi at $1,312. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ahmadi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Ahmadi or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Ahmadi or Medellin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ahmadi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.