Cost of Living Comparison Between Bahir Dar and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Bahir Dar and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $377 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $564 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $751 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.

Bahir Dar is about 63% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bahir Dar and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Bahir Dar 72% lower, Medellin 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 ETB 547

$5.95 COP 20.8K

-42.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.33 COP 116.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.23 COP 25.2K

Cappuccino

$0.99 ETB 156

$1.63 COP 5,687

-39.26%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 ETB 61.3

$1.09 COP 3,821

-64.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 ETB 82.8

$0.73 COP 2,548

-28.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.71 ETB 113

$1.74 COP 6,065

-59.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ETB 324

$3.23 COP 11.3K

-36.84%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 ETB 161

$1.05 COP 3,662

-3.81%

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 ETB 157

$1.29 COP 4,515

-23.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 ETB 155

$1.32 COP 4,617

-25.76%

Eggs

$1.70 ETB 270

$2.27 COP 7,927

-25.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.35 COP 15.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 COP 20.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.18 ETB 1,614

$8.61 COP 30.0K

18.23%

Apples (1kg)

$2.91 ETB 461

$2.25 COP 7,844

29.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 ETB 163

$1.07 COP 3,733

-3.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 ETB 326

$1.52 COP 5,322

35.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.78 ETB 123

$1.42 COP 4,964

-45.07%

Potato (1kg)

$0.62 ETB 98.9

$1.17 COP 4,084

-47.01%

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.17 COP 4,077

0.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 ETB 162

$0.89 COP 3,096

14.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ETB 81.2

$0.90 COP 3,146

-43.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 COP 7,837

Wine (Bottle)

$4.04 ETB 640

$11.04 COP 38.5K

-63.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 ETB 130

$1.14 COP 3,977

-28.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 ETB 322

$2.38 COP 8,301

-14.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 COP 2,916

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.95 COP 146.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 COP 4,912

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.48 ETB 76.2

$1.90 COP 6,634

-74.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.06 ETB 326

$7.75 COP 27.0K

-73.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 ETB 154

$1.01 COP 3,509

-3.96%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 61.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K COP 92.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$102 ETB 16.1K

$83.7 COP 292.1K

21.58%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.04 ETB 1,591

$9.45 COP 33.0K

6.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.11 COP 84.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.82 ETB 7,896

$25.31 COP 88.3K

96.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.6 ETB 9,446

$19.14 COP 66.8K

211.39%

Cinema Ticket

$5.97 ETB 947

$4.10 COP 14.3K

45.61%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$49.85 ETB 7,901

$312 COP 1.1M

-84.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 COP 20.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.55 ETB 7,853

$58.0 COP 202.6K

-14.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.56 COP 113.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.6 COP 347.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 COP 378.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$482 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 COP 2.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 COP 2.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,989 ETB 315.3K

$2,840 COP 9.9M

-29.95%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,514 ETB 240.0K

$1,223 COP 4.3M

23.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$201 ETB 31.8K

$541 COP 1.9M

-62.88%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 8, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 169% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Bahir Dar vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Medellin costs about 170% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $565 per month in Bahir Dar and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $377 in Bahir Dar and $1,017 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 52% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $377, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $377 versus $1,017 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. 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.