πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,050 in Astrakhan versus $1,017 in Medellin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,510 in Astrakhan versus $1,602 in Medellin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,970 in Astrakhan versus $2,188 in Medellin.
πLiving in Astrakhan is roughly 3% more expensive than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Astrakhan22% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.99β½796
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
84.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.08β½2,397
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
-0.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.56β½548
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
4.56%
Cappuccino
$1.84β½134
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
12.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92β½66.9
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
-15.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52β½37.68
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
-28.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.26β½91.0
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
-27.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59β½188
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-19.81%
π Groceries & Markets
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32β½95.8
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
25.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06β½76.5
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
-17.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01β½73.4
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
-23.48%
Eggs
$1.74β½126
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
-23.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$24.42β½1,769
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
461.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82β½349
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
-18.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.72β½487
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
-21.95%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55β½112
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
-31.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80β½130
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
68.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57β½114
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
3.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.39β½174
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
68.31%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95β½68.9
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
-18.80%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57β½41.09
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
-51.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β½105
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
62.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65β½46.83
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
-27.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94β½141
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
-13.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.19β½304
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-62.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05β½76.0
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
-7.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95β½141
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-18.07%
π Getting Around
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48β½35.14
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-42.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.77β½1,577
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-48.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.46β½179
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
74.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33β½23.73
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-82.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.83β½277
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-50.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88β½63.4
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
-12.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9Kβ½2.5M
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
93.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4Kβ½2.3M
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
18.66%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103β½7,458
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
22.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36β½461
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-32.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.56β½403
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
-76.94%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.88β½3,469
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
89.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.68β½1,788
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
28.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.30β½384
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
29.27%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115β½8,298
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-63.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,028β½509.2K
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
17.26%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8β½4,187
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-0.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.62β½2,291
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-2.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.0β½6,378
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
-11.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129β½9,373
$109COPΒ 378.8K
19.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$421β½30.5K
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-12.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321β½23.3K
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-15.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445β½32.2K
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-46.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381β½27.6K
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-47.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,345β½97.5K
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-52.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$678β½49.1K
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-44.55%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astrakhan
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$453β½32.8K
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-16.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
13.43
14.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astrakhan: June 7, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $421 in Astrakhan and $482 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 20% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Astrakhan vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $224 vs $190, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Astrakhan vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Astrakhan and Medellin?
Astrakhan and Medellin differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($1,050 vs $1,017 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Medellin earns 20% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Astrakhan and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $421 in Astrakhan versus $482 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Astrakhan and Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 93% less than in Astrakhan. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Astrakhan and Medellin?
Childcare runs $115 in Astrakhan versus $312 in Medellin. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,050 in Astrakhan, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Astrakhan. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Astrakhan and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Astrakhan or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3% less than in Astrakhan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.