Cost of Living Comparison Between Derna and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Derna and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $170 per month in Derna vs $1,031 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $341 per month in Derna vs $1,599 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $513 per month in Derna vs $2,167 in Medellin, rent included.

Derna is about 84% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Derna and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Derna 87% lower, Medellin 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.72 LYD 30.05

$6.16 COP 20.1K

-23.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$9.41 LYD 59.9

$32.60 COP 106.1K

-71.13%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.71 LYD 23.64

$7.34 COP 23.9K

-49.46%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.58 LYD 3.67

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.45

Cappuccino

$0.57 LYD 3.62

$1.72 COP 5,600

-66.86%

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

$0.38 LYD 2.44

$1.05 COP 3,420

-63.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 COP 2,515

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.69 COP 5,488

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 COP 10.3K

Milk (1 liter)

$0.70 LYD 4.48

$1.05 COP 3,423

-33.33%

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 COP 4,236

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 COP 4,544

Eggs

$0.76 LYD 4.81

$2.16 COP 7,047

-64.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.39 COP 14.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 COP 19.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.64 COP 28.1K

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 COP 7,426

Banana (1kg)

$0.90 LYD 5.71

$1.11 COP 3,604

-18.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 COP 4,983

Tomato (1kg)

$1.35 COP 4,410

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,674

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,692

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 COP 2,753

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 COP 2,975

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.34 COP 7,630

Wine (Bottle)

$12.37 COP 40.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 COP 3,909

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 COP 8,104

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 COP 2,728

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.57 COP 132.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 LYD 6.03

$1.42 COP 4,623

-33.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 COP 6,235

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.66 COP 24.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,223

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

$18.0K COP 58.7M

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

$26.6K COP 86.7M

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

$80.8 COP 263.1K

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

$9.95 COP 32.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.36 LYD 104

$24.18 COP 78.7K

-32.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.08 COP 81.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.15 COP 62.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.98 COP 13.0K

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

$305 COP 993.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,059 COP 19.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.41 LYD 238

$58.1 COP 189.2K

-35.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.96 LYD 286

$32.20 COP 104.8K

39.63%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.60 LYD 290

$101 COP 327.9K

-54.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$46.11 LYD 294

$108 COP 350.8K

-57.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$477 COP 1.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$376 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$184 LYD 1,172

$845 COP 2.7M

-78.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$108 LYD 689

$730 COP 2.4M

-85.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$194 LYD 1,236

$3,215 COP 10.5M

-93.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$78.5 LYD 500

$1,372 COP 4.5M

-94.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$173 LYD 1,105

$617 COP 2.0M

-71.88%

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 Derna: July 12, 2026

Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 256% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Derna versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $15.00 vs $193 – making Derna the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Derna vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Medellin costs about 507% more than Derna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $255 per month in Derna and $1,546 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $170 in Derna and $1,031 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 1151% 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 Derna, where all-in costs run around $170, than in Medellin at $1,031. In Derna it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Derna costs $170 versus $1,031 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Derna. 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.