🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $580 in Binh Duong versus $1,003 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $945 in Binh Duong versus $1,573 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,310 in Binh Duong versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Binh Duong costs roughly 42% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Binh Duong56% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.91₫50.2K
$5.91COP 18.6K
-67.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.67₫306.9K
$32.96COP 103.8K
-64.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.59₫120.8K
$7.43COP 23.4K
-38.22%
Cappuccino
$1.77₫46.4K
$1.65COP 5,207
7.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47₫12.4K
$1.10COP 3,468
-57.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30₫7,922
$0.78COP 2,458
-61.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.94₫24.6K
$1.72COP 5,412
-45.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07₫28.3K
$3.18COP 10.0K
-66.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45₫38.1K
$1.10COP 3,474
31.82%
White Bread(500g)
$0.78₫20.5K
$1.26COP 3,962
-38.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.65₫17.1K
$1.38COP 4,349
-52.90%
Eggs
$1.46₫38.3K
$2.18COP 6,858
-33.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.51₫302.7K
$4.49COP 14.1K
156.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.34₫87.8K
$5.79COP 18.2K
-42.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.25₫269.6K
$8.97COP 28.2K
14.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.15₫56.6K
$2.32COP 7,308
-7.33%
Banana(1kg)
$0.56₫14.6K
$1.06COP 3,352
-47.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.72₫19.0K
$1.52COP 4,774
-52.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.03₫27.1K
$1.36COP 4,270
-24.26%
Potato(1kg)
$0.93₫24.3K
$1.13COP 3,552
-17.70%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03₫27.1K
$1.17COP 3,689
-11.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72₫18.8K
$0.90COP 2,838
-20.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49₫13.0K
$0.90COP 2,823
-45.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.78₫20.6K
$2.23COP 7,034
-65.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.30₫244.6K
$12.12COP 38.2K
-23.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.56₫14.6K
$1.19COP 3,743
-52.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98₫25.8K
$2.48COP 7,815
-60.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32₫8,370
$0.85COP 2,687
-62.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.64₫174.6K
$41.62COP 131.0K
-84.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.39₫10.3K
$1.42COP 4,459
-72.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56₫14.8K
$1.95COP 6,141
-71.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.14₫82.4K
$7.89COP 24.8K
-60.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79₫20.7K
$0.99COP 3,118
-20.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2K₫1.0B
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
117.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.0K₫893.9M
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
26.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.70₫991.1K
$83.0COP 261.4K
-54.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.08₫159.9K
$9.70COP 30.5K
-37.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.36₫167.1K
$23.52COP 74.1K
-72.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.36₫561.6K
$25.26COP 79.5K
-15.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.46₫196.0K
$19.10COP 60.1K
-60.94%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98₫78.4K
$3.95COP 12.4K
-24.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$275₫7.2M
$316COP 994.2K
-13.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.2K₫373.0M
$5,975COP 18.8M
137.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.72₫834.0K
$60.0COP 188.9K
-47.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.14₫398.0K
$31.82COP 100.2K
-52.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.9₫2.0M
$102COP 320.1K
-24.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.3₫1.8M
$107COP 338.3K
-36.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$261₫6.8M
$475COP 1.5M
-45.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$163₫4.3M
$374COP 1.2M
-56.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$622₫16.4M
$849COP 2.7M
-26.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$391₫10.3M
$719COP 2.3M
-45.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,559₫41.0M
$3,265COP 10.3M
-52.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$949₫25.0M
$1,441COP 4.5M
-34.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Binh Duong
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$348₫9.2M
$624COP 2.0M
-44.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.14
13.43
-31.94%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Binh Duong: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $261 in Binh Duong and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 79% 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: $12.00 in Binh Duong vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $172 vs $193 per month, with Binh Duong 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
Binh Duong vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Binh Duong and in Medellin?
Binh Duong and Medellin differ by about 73% in total monthly costs ($580 vs $1,003 including rent). Binh Duong is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 79% 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 do apartment prices compare in Binh Duong and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $261 in Binh Duong versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Binh Duong – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Binh Duong or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $580 per month in Binh Duong versus $1,003 in Medellin – a 73% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $580 in Binh Duong versus $1,003 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Binh Duong but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Binh Duong the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Binh Duong and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Binh Duong or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Binh Duong 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.
Where should expats move: Binh Duong or Medellin?
Expats usually find Binh Duong gentler on the wallet – expenses run 73% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Binh Duong vs other spots: cost of living compared