🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $61.8 in Al Budayyi versus $1,034 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $71.0 in Al Budayyi versus $1,577 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $80.6 in Al Budayyi versus $2,120 in Medellin.
🙂Living in Al Budayyi costs roughly 94% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Al Budayyi95% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$5.92COP 21.5K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.75COP 119.1K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.20COP 26.2K
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.70COP 6,186
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.10COP 3,996
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.72COP 2,625
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.67COP 6,067
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.10COP 11.3K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.06COP 3,837
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.25COP 4,531
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.39COP 5,060
-
Eggs
-
$2.26COP 8,229
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.33COP 15.8K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.84COP 21.2K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.83COP 32.1K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.24COP 8,159
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.08COP 3,911
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.53COP 5,563
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.37COP 4,987
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.13COP 4,109
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.12COP 4,067
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.85COP 3,080
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.91COP 3,305
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.33COP 8,477
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$11.13COP 40.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.19COP 4,342
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.37COP 8,617
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.79COP 2,859
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.13COP 149.6K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.44COP 5,223
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.91COP 6,952
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.02COP 29.2K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.94COP 3,410
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.9KCOP 65.2M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.8KCOP 97.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$84.0COP 305.4K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.84BHD 7.46
$9.60COP 34.9K
106.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.53BHD 15.62
$24.16COP 87.9K
71.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.88COP 94.1K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.04COP 69.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.92COP 14.2K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$306COP 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,919COP 21.5M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$57.9COP 210.6K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$31.82COP 115.7K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$99.9COP 363.3K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$107COP 389.7K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$487COP 1.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$368COP 1.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$826COP 3.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$716COP 2.6M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,925COP 10.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,407COP 5.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Budayyi
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$546COP 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Budayyi: April 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
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
Al Budayyi vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Budayyi or Medellin?
Al Budayyi wins on cost – living expenses run 1572% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Budayyi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Al Budayyi vs Medellin?
You'd need roughly $92.7 in Al Budayyi and $1,550 in Medellin to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Al Budayyi or Medellin?
At $61.8 in Al Budayyi versus $1,034 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Al Budayyi but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Al Budayyi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Al Budayyi or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Al Budayyi delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $61.8 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Al Budayyi hard to pass up.
How safe is Al Budayyi compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Al Budayyi and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Al Budayyi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1572% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Al Budayyi vs other spots: cost of living compared