Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $391 per month in Al Kut vs $1,641 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $596 per month in Al Kut vs $2,447 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $801 per month in Al Kut vs $3,253 in Medellin, rent included.

Al Kut is about 76% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Al Kut sits 72% below the global median, while Medellin is 19% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.83 IQD 2,391
$8.04 COP 24.9K
-77.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$48.29 COP 149.7K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.42 COP 29.2K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.94 COP 9,105
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 IQD 407
$1.86 COP 5,776
-83.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 IQD 200
$1.46 COP 4,511
-89.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.21 COP 9,953
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.71 COP 17.7K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 IQD 1,526
$1.44 COP 4,460
-18.75%
White Bread (500g)
-
$2.40 COP 7,442
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.56 IQD 2,043
$1.70 COP 5,265
-8.24%
Eggs
$1.55 IQD 2,021
$2.89 COP 8,960
-46.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.24 IQD 2,929
$10.06 COP 31.2K
-77.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.57 IQD 4,666
$9.97 COP 30.9K
-64.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.17 IQD 12.0K
$14.20 COP 44.0K
-35.42%
Apples (1kg)
$0.84 IQD 1,095
$3.98 COP 12.3K
-78.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 IQD 1,375
$1.58 COP 4,913
-33.54%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.86 IQD 1,121
$2.15 COP 6,671
-60.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.52 IQD 679
$2.30 COP 7,129
-77.39%
Potato (1kg)
$0.46 IQD 604
$2.00 COP 6,213
-77.00%
Onion (1kg)
$0.47 IQD 609
$1.51 COP 4,679
-68.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.42 IQD 547
$1.20 COP 3,727
-65.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29 IQD 378
$1.28 COP 3,974
-77.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.98 IQD 1,276
$3.84 COP 11.9K
-74.48%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$14.01 COP 43.4K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.71 COP 5,294
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.74 COP 8,500
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.25 COP 3,861
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$77.9 COP 241.5K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.31 COP 4,045
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$2.17 COP 6,728
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.07 IQD 13.2K
$8.29 COP 25.7K
21.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.36 COP 4,202
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$27.5K COP 85.2M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$36.5K COP 113.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 IQD 222.3K
$169 COP 523.0K
0.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.95 IQD 19.6K
$13.57 COP 42.1K
10.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.30 IQD 33.1K
$28.32 COP 87.8K
-10.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.82 IQD 22.0K
$45.71 COP 141.7K
-63.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.22 COP 53.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.93 IQD 6,453
$6.65 COP 20.6K
-25.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$803 COP 2.5M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,393 IQD 1.8M
$9,190 COP 28.5M
-84.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.38 IQD 26.7K
$87.4 COP 270.8K
-76.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.32 IQD 33.1K
$59.4 COP 184.0K
-57.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$139 COP 430.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.06 IQD 39.3K
$102 COP 316.3K
-70.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,071 COP 3.3M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$653 COP 2.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$254 IQD 332.2K
$1,925 COP 6.0M
-86.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$172 IQD 225.0K
$1,048 COP 3.2M
-83.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,012 IQD 1.3M
$4,123 COP 12.8M
-75.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$495 IQD 648.0K
$1,697 COP 5.3M
-70.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Kut
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$655 COP 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
10.94
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al Kut: September 6, 2026

Last update for Medellin: September 7, 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 Kut vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Al Kut and in Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $391 in Al Kut, $1,641 in Medellin – roughly 320% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Al Kut compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $586 per month in Al Kut and $2,462 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Al Kut or Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $391 in Al Kut and $1,641 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 200% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Medellin at $1,641. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Al Kut and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $391 in Al Kut to $1,641 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Al Kut and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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