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