Cost of Living Comparison Between Astana and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Astana and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

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 – Astana 33% lower, Medellin 23% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.27 ₸3,889
$6.16 COP 20.1K
34.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.74 ₸14.0K
$32.60 COP 106.1K
-8.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.74 ₸2,697
$7.34 COP 23.9K
-21.80%
Cappuccino
$2.22 ₸1,045
$1.72 COP 5,599
29.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 ₸429
$1.05 COP 3,420
-13.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57 ₸266
$0.77 COP 2,515
-25.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.18 ₸557
$1.69 COP 5,487
-30.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 ₸1,413
$3.17 COP 10.3K
-5.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.97 ₸456
$1.05 COP 3,423
-7.62%
White Bread (500g)
$0.46 ₸219
$1.30 COP 4,236
-64.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 ₸650
$1.40 COP 4,544
-1.43%
Eggs
$1.69 ₸794
$2.16 COP 7,046
-21.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.49 ₸4,460
$4.39 COP 14.3K
116.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.83 ₸2,269
$5.88 COP 19.1K
-17.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.98 ₸3,281
$8.64 COP 28.1K
-19.21%
Apples (1kg)
$1.37 ₸643
$2.28 COP 7,425
-39.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.84 ₸863
$1.11 COP 3,603
65.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 ₸895
$1.53 COP 4,982
24.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.88 ₸886
$1.35 COP 4,410
39.26%
Potato (1kg)
$0.56 ₸262
$1.13 COP 3,674
-50.44%
Onion (1kg)
$0.37 ₸176
$1.13 COP 3,692
-67.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.96 ₸449
$0.85 COP 2,753
12.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74 ₸349
$0.91 COP 2,975
-18.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90 ₸895
$2.34 COP 7,629
-18.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.54 ₸4,482
$12.37 COP 40.3K
-22.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 ₸455
$1.20 COP 3,909
-19.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 ₸789
$2.49 COP 8,104
-32.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Astana
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₸108
$0.84 COP 2,727
-72.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.80 ₸6,955
$40.57 COP 132.1K
-63.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.80 ₸844
$1.42 COP 4,623
26.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 ₸333
$1.92 COP 6,235
-63.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.32 ₸2,028
$7.66 COP 24.9K
-43.60%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.51 ₸239
$0.99 COP 3,223
-48.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.3K ₸9.5M
$18.0K COP 58.7M
12.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K ₸11.9M
$26.6K COP 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
$80.8 COP 263.1K
-34.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.34 ₸3,918
$9.95 COP 32.4K
-16.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.70 ₸6,438
$24.18 COP 78.7K
-43.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.0 ₸24.0K
$25.08 COP 81.6K
103.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.96 ₸5,150
$19.15 COP 62.3K
-42.77%
Cinema Ticket
$5.22 ₸2,454
$3.98 COP 13.0K
31.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$239 ₸112.3K
$305 COP 993.4K
-21.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,800 ₸2.3M
$6,059 COP 19.7M
-20.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.4 ₸27.0K
$58.1 COP 189.2K
-1.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.08 ₸16.5K
$32.20 COP 104.8K
8.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.6 ₸41.2K
$101 COP 327.9K
-13.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.7 ₸41.2K
$108 COP 350.8K
-18.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Astana
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$467 ₸219.4K
$477 COP 1.6M
-2.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$323 ₸151.6K
$376 COP 1.2M
-14.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$860 ₸404.3K
$845 COP 2.7M
1.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$587 ₸276.0K
$730 COP 2.4M
-19.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,409 ₸662.3K
$3,215 COP 10.5M
-56.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,013 ₸476.3K
$1,372 COP 4.5M
-26.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Astana
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$845 ₸397.2K
$617 COP 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.

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