🙂A single person spends $71.9 per month in Cabinda vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,465 per month in Cabinda vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,857 per month in Cabinda vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Cabinda is about 93% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Cabinda and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Cabinda95% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.91AOA 7,227
$5.95COP 20.8K
32.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$33.33COP 116.3K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.23COP 25.2K
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.63COP 5,687
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.09COP 3,821
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33AOA 2,130
$0.73COP 2,548
219.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.74COP 6,065
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23COP 11.3K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.05COP 3,662
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.29COP 4,515
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.32COP 4,617
-
Eggs
-
$2.27COP 7,927
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.35COP 15.2K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.88COP 20.5K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.61COP 30.0K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.25COP 7,844
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.07COP 3,733
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.52COP 5,322
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.42COP 4,964
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.17COP 4,084
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.17COP 4,077
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.89COP 3,096
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.90COP 3,146
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.25COP 7,837
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$11.04COP 38.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.14COP 3,977
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.38COP 8,301
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.84COP 2,916
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.95COP 146.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.41COP 4,912
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.90COP 6,634
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.75COP 27.0K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.01COP 3,509
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.6KCOP 61.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.5KCOP 92.5M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$83.7COP 292.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.45COP 33.0K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.11COP 84.1K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.31COP 88.3K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.14COP 66.8K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.10COP 14.3K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$312COP 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,993COP 20.9M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$58.0COP 202.6K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$32.56COP 113.6K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$99.6COP 347.7K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109COP 378.8K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$622AOA 567.6K
$482COP 1.7M
28.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$379COP 1.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$837COP 2.9M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,671AOA 2.4M
$723COP 2.5M
269.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,840COP 9.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,223COP 4.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cabinda
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,019AOA 930.3K
$541COP 1.9M
88.37%
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 Cabinda: June 9, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $622 in Cabinda versus $482 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 88% higher in Cabinda, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
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
Cabinda vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Cabinda?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 1315%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $108 per month in Cabinda and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cabinda, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Cabinda or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Cabinda, where all-in costs run around $71.9, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Cabinda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Cabinda or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Cabinda – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Cabinda. 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.