πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $110 in Ayacucho versus $1,013 in Medellin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $191 in Ayacucho versus $1,602 in Medellin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $272 in Ayacucho versus $2,192 in Medellin.
πLiving in Ayacucho costs roughly 89% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Ayacucho92% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.64PENΒ 5.57
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
-72.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.75PENΒ 46.77
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
-58.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.07PENΒ 13.84
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
-42.60%
Cappuccino
$2.25PENΒ 7.66
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
31.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80PENΒ 2.71
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
-27.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29PENΒ 1.00
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
-62.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.89PENΒ 6.42
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
12.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25PENΒ 7.66
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
-26.71%
π Groceries & Markets
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
-
Eggs
-
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.80PENΒ 19.73
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
-45.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
-
π Getting Around
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.55PENΒ 83.5
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-5.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$309COPΒ 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$103COPΒ 366.4K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$108COPΒ 387.2K
-
π Accommodation & Living
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,944PENΒ 6,615
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-30.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,747PENΒ 5,942
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
44.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$492PENΒ 1,675
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-3.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ayacucho: June 1, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Medellin pays 4% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $14.00 in Ayacucho vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $12.00 vs $188 per month, with Ayacucho cheaper across the board.
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
Ayacucho vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ayacucho or Medellin?
Ayacucho wins on cost β living expenses run 824% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ayacucho the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ayacucho or Medellin?
On paper, Medellin earns 4% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does it cost to live in Ayacucho compared to Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $110 per month in Ayacucho versus $1,013 in Medellin β a 824% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Ayacucho or Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1525% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ayacucho or Medellin?
At $110 in Ayacucho versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ayacucho but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Ayacucho the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ayacucho or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ayacucho delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $110 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ayacucho hard to pass up.
How safe is Ayacucho compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Ayacucho and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ayacucho gentler on the wallet β expenses run 824% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.