🙂A single person spends $596 per month in Al Mafraq vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,044 per month in Al Mafraq vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,492 per month in Al Mafraq vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Al Mafraq is about 41% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Al Mafraq and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Al Mafraq55% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.35JOD 3.08
$5.91COP 18.6K
-26.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.88JOD 34.61
$32.96COP 103.8K
48.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.36JOD 3.08
$7.43COP 23.4K
-41.32%
Cappuccino
$1.39JOD 0.98
$1.65COP 5,207
-15.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37JOD 0.26
$1.10COP 3,468
-66.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34JOD 0.24
$0.78COP 2,458
-56.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.67JOD 4.01
$1.72COP 5,412
229.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.07JOD 5.00
$3.18COP 10.0K
122.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04JOD 0.74
$1.10COP 3,474
-5.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.29JOD 0.21
$1.26COP 3,962
-76.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10JOD 0.78
$1.38COP 4,349
-20.29%
Eggs
$1.25JOD 0.89
$2.18COP 6,858
-42.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.57JOD 3.94
$4.49COP 14.1K
24.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.57JOD 2.53
$5.79COP 18.2K
-38.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.86JOD 3.44
$8.97COP 28.2K
-45.82%
Apples(1kg)
$0.74JOD 0.52
$2.32COP 7,308
-68.10%
Banana(1kg)
$0.87JOD 0.62
$1.06COP 3,352
-17.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.37JOD 0.97
$1.52COP 4,774
-9.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.34JOD 0.24
$1.36COP 4,270
-75.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84JOD 0.59
$1.13COP 3,552
-25.66%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57JOD 0.41
$1.17COP 3,689
-51.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65JOD 0.46
$0.90COP 2,838
-27.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40JOD 0.28
$0.90COP 2,823
-55.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.37JOD 2.38
$2.23COP 7,034
51.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.32JOD 15.09
$12.12COP 38.2K
75.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.69JOD 3.32
$1.19COP 3,743
294.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.26JOD 3.72
$2.48COP 7,815
112.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33JOD 0.24
$0.85COP 2,687
-61.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.69JOD 0.49
$1.42COP 4,459
-51.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.44JOD 1.02
$1.95COP 6,141
-26.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.04JOD 4.98
$7.89COP 24.8K
-10.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.47JOD 1.04
$0.99COP 3,118
48.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4KJOD 19.4K
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
55.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KJOD 22.5K
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
18.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105JOD 74.5
$83.0COP 261.4K
26.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.81JOD 11.90
$9.70COP 30.5K
73.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.58JOD 20.24
$23.52COP 74.1K
21.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.29JOD 20.03
$25.26COP 79.5K
12.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.45JOD 8.11
$3.95COP 12.4K
189.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$71.5JOD 50.6
$316COP 994.2K
-77.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,374JOD 3,805
$5,975COP 18.8M
-10.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.83JOD 19.70
$60.0COP 188.9K
-53.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.80JOD 34.55
$31.82COP 100.2K
53.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116JOD 82.1
$102COP 320.1K
14.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.56JOD 29.42
$107COP 338.3K
-61.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$69.2JOD 49.01
$475COP 1.5M
-85.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$374COP 1.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277JOD 196
$849COP 2.7M
-67.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$142JOD 101
$719COP 2.3M
-80.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Mafraq
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,063JOD 752
$624COP 2.0M
70.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.27
13.43
-45.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Mafraq: July 27, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $69.2 in Al Mafraq versus $475 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 70% higher in Al Mafraq, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Al Mafraq versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $176 in Al Mafraq vs $193 in Medellin – so Al Mafraq wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Mafraq vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Al Mafraq?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $894 per month in Al Mafraq and $1,504 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 Al Mafraq, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Al Mafraq or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Al Mafraq and $33.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Al Mafraq and in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 10% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Al Mafraq or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Al Mafraq, where all-in costs run around $596, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Al Mafraq it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Al Mafraq or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Al Mafraq – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Al Mafraq 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 Al Mafraq. 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.