Cost of Living Comparison Between Dehradun and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Dehradun and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $460 in Dehradun versus $1,034 in Medellin.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $823 in Dehradun versus $1,577 in Medellin.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,185 in Dehradun versus $2,120 in Medellin.

Living in Dehradun costs roughly 55% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Dehradun 66% lower, Medellin 23% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.39 ₹227
$5.92 COP 21.4K
-59.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.31 ₹884
$32.75 COP 118.2K
-71.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.98 ₹378
$7.20 COP 26.0K
-44.72%
Cappuccino
$1.75 ₹167
$1.70 COP 6,140
2.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 ₹41.82
$1.10 COP 3,966
-60.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19 ₹17.60
$0.72 COP 2,605
-73.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.02 ₹192
$1.67 COP 6,022
20.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 ₹278
$3.10 COP 11.2K
-5.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.75 ₹71.5
$1.06 COP 3,809
-29.25%
White Bread (500g)
$0.45 ₹43.08
$1.25 COP 4,497
-64.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 ₹67.3
$1.39 COP 5,022
-48.92%
Eggs
$0.90 ₹85.5
$2.26 COP 8,168
-60.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.66 ₹442
$4.33 COP 15.6K
7.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.54 ₹336
$5.84 COP 21.1K
-39.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$8.83 COP 31.9K
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.95 ₹185
$2.24 COP 8,099
-12.95%
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 ₹65.0
$1.08 COP 3,882
-37.04%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.79 ₹75.3
$1.53 COP 5,522
-48.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.55 ₹52.2
$1.37 COP 4,950
-59.85%
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 ₹32.77
$1.13 COP 4,078
-69.03%
Onion (1kg)
$0.45 ₹42.65
$1.12 COP 4,036
-59.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.55 ₹52.5
$0.85 COP 3,057
-35.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38 ₹35.79
$0.91 COP 3,281
-58.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.37 ₹415
$2.33 COP 8,414
87.55%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.30 ₹978
$11.13 COP 40.2K
-7.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 ₹162
$1.19 COP 4,309
43.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 ₹221
$2.37 COP 8,553
-1.69%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$5.96 ₹565
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 ₹28.62
$0.79 COP 2,838
-62.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.99 ₹1,329
$41.13 COP 148.5K
-65.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.79 ₹74.7
$1.44 COP 5,184
-45.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₹20.87
$1.91 COP 6,901
-88.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.08 ₹197
$8.02 COP 28.9K
-74.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₹108
$0.94 COP 3,385
21.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.0K ₹1.2M
$17.9K COP 64.7M
-27.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K ₹1.9M
$26.8K COP 96.7M
-24.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.89 ₹3,882
$84.0 COP 303.1K
-51.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.82 ₹363
$9.60 COP 34.7K
-60.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.28 ₹691
$24.16 COP 87.2K
-69.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.61 ₹1,577
$25.88 COP 93.4K
-35.82%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.82 ₹1,028
$19.04 COP 68.7K
-43.17%
Cinema Ticket
$5.41 ₹513
$3.92 COP 14.1K
38.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$64.8 ₹6,149
$306 COP 1.1M
-78.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,111 ₹105.5K
$5,919 COP 21.4M
-81.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.67 ₹2,058
$57.9 COP 209.1K
-62.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.23 ₹2,680
$31.82 COP 114.9K
-11.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.78 ₹4,536
$99.9 COP 360.6K
-52.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.43 ₹4,123
$107 COP 386.8K
-59.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$179 ₹17.0K
$487 COP 1.8M
-63.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$111 ₹10.6K
$368 COP 1.3M
-69.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$410 ₹38.9K
$826 COP 3.0M
-50.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$481 ₹45.7K
$716 COP 2.6M
-32.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$746 ₹70.8K
$2,925 COP 10.6M
-74.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$468 ₹44.4K
$1,407 COP 5.1M
-66.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dehradun
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$365 ₹34.7K
$546 COP 2.0M
-33.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.25
13.43
-38.57%

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

Last update for Dehradun: April 27, 2026

Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $179 in Dehradun and $487 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Medellin pays 49% 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: $9.00 in Dehradun vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $112 vs $190 per month, with Dehradun 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
Dehradun vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Dehradun?
Dehradun is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 125% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Dehradun or Medellin?
On paper, Medellin earns 49% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Dehradun and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $179 in Dehradun versus $487 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Dehradun and Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Dehradun or Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Dehradun – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Dehradun or Medellin?
At $460 in Dehradun versus $1,034 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Dehradun but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Dehradun the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Dehradun or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Dehradun is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Dehradun or Medellin?
Safety-wise, Dehradun 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Dehradun gentler on the wallet – expenses run 125% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Dehradun vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities