🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $109 in Ayacucho versus $1,031 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $191 in Ayacucho versus $1,599 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $273 in Ayacucho versus $2,167 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Ayacucho costs roughly 89% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Ayacucho92% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.70PEN 5.78
$6.16COP 20.1K
-72.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.69PEN 46.43
$32.60COP 106.1K
-58.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.13PEN 14.00
$7.34COP 23.9K
-43.73%
Cappuccino
$2.17PEN 7.38
$1.72COP 5,600
26.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84PEN 2.87
$1.05COP 3,420
-20.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29PEN 0.99
$0.77COP 2,515
-62.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.89PEN 6.41
$1.69COP 5,488
11.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25PEN 7.62
$3.17COP 10.3K
-29.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.05COP 3,423
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.30COP 4,236
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.40COP 4,544
-
Eggs
-
$2.16COP 7,047
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.39COP 14.3K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.88COP 19.1K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.64COP 28.1K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.28COP 7,426
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.11COP 3,604
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.53COP 4,983
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.35COP 4,410
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.13COP 3,674
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.13COP 3,692
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.85COP 2,753
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.91COP 2,975
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.34COP 7,630
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.94PEN 20.16
$12.37COP 40.3K
-51.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20COP 3,909
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.49COP 8,104
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.84COP 2,728
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$40.57COP 132.1K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.42COP 4,623
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.92COP 6,235
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.66COP 24.9K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.99COP 3,223
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$80.8COP 263.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.95COP 32.4K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.18COP 78.7K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.40PEN 86.2
$25.08COP 81.7K
1.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.98COP 13.0K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$305COP 993.5K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,059COP 19.7M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$58.1COP 189.2K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$32.20COP 104.8K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$101COP 327.9K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$108COP 350.8K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$477COP 1.6M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$376COP 1.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$845COP 2.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$730COP 2.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,890PEN 6,413
$3,215COP 10.5M
-41.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,764PEN 5,983
$1,372COP 4.5M
28.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ayacucho
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$481PEN 1,631
$617COP 2.0M
-22.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ayacucho: July 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Medellin pays 28% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining 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 $193 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 – living expenses run 847% 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 in Medellin?
On paper, salaries run 28% lower in Medellin. 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 $109 per month in Ayacucho versus $1,031 in Medellin – a 847% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Ayacucho or in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1523% 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 in Medellin?
At $109 in Ayacucho versus $1,031 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 – similar infrastructure at $109 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 – expenses run 847% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.