🙂A single person spends $892 per month in Astana vs $1,031 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,426 per month in Astana vs $1,599 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,961 per month in Astana vs $2,167 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Astana is about 13% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Astana and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Astana33% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.27₸3,889
$6.16COP 20.1K
34.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.74₸14.0K
$32.60COP 106.1K
-8.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.74₸2,697
$7.34COP 23.9K
-21.80%
Cappuccino
$2.22₸1,045
$1.72COP 5,599
29.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91₸429
$1.05COP 3,420
-13.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57₸266
$0.77COP 2,515
-25.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.18₸557
$1.69COP 5,487
-30.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01₸1,413
$3.17COP 10.3K
-5.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97₸456
$1.05COP 3,423
-7.62%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46₸219
$1.30COP 4,236
-64.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38₸650
$1.40COP 4,544
-1.43%
Eggs
$1.69₸794
$2.16COP 7,046
-21.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.49₸4,460
$4.39COP 14.3K
116.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.83₸2,269
$5.88COP 19.1K
-17.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.98₸3,281
$8.64COP 28.1K
-19.21%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37₸643
$2.28COP 7,425
-39.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.84₸863
$1.11COP 3,603
65.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90₸895
$1.53COP 4,982
24.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.88₸886
$1.35COP 4,410
39.26%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56₸262
$1.13COP 3,674
-50.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.37₸176
$1.13COP 3,692
-67.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96₸449
$0.85COP 2,753
12.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74₸349
$0.91COP 2,975
-18.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90₸895
$2.34COP 7,629
-18.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.54₸4,482
$12.37COP 40.3K
-22.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.97₸455
$1.20COP 3,909
-19.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68₸789
$2.49COP 8,104
-32.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Astana
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23₸108
$0.84COP 2,727
-72.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.80₸6,955
$40.57COP 132.1K
-63.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.80₸844
$1.42COP 4,623
26.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71₸333
$1.92COP 6,235
-63.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.32₸2,028
$7.66COP 24.9K
-43.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.51₸239
$0.99COP 3,223
-48.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.3K₸9.5M
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
12.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K₸11.9M
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-5.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$53.3₸25.0K
$80.8COP 263.1K
-34.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.34₸3,918
$9.95COP 32.4K
-16.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.70₸6,438
$24.18COP 78.7K
-43.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.0₸24.0K
$25.08COP 81.6K
103.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.96₸5,150
$19.15COP 62.3K
-42.77%
Cinema Ticket
$5.22₸2,454
$3.98COP 13.0K
31.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$239₸112.3K
$305COP 993.4K
-21.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,800₸2.3M
$6,059COP 19.7M
-20.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.4₸27.0K
$58.1COP 189.2K
-1.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.08₸16.5K
$32.20COP 104.8K
8.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.6₸41.2K
$101COP 327.9K
-13.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.7₸41.2K
$108COP 350.8K
-18.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Astana
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467₸219.4K
$477COP 1.6M
-2.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$323₸151.6K
$376COP 1.2M
-14.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$860₸404.3K
$845COP 2.7M
1.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$587₸276.0K
$730COP 2.4M
-19.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,409₸662.3K
$3,215COP 10.5M
-56.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,013₸476.3K
$1,372COP 4.5M
-26.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$845₸397.2K
$617COP 2.0M
37.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.12
13.43
20.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astana: July 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $467 in Astana 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 37% higher in Astana, 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 $30.00 in Astana versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $177 vs $193 – making Astana 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
Astana vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Astana and in Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $892 in Astana, $1,031 in Medellin – roughly 16% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Astana compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,338 per month in Astana and $1,546 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Astana and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Astana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astana and Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $239 per month in Astana and $305 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 9% 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 Astana, where all-in costs run around $892, than in Medellin at $1,031. In Astana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Astana and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $892 in Astana to $1,031 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Astana or Medellin safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Astana and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Astana. 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.