Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dong Hoi and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Dong Hoi: $744 a month against $1,692 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $11,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Dong Hoi, Vietnam
Medellin, Colombia
Dong Hoi
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$744
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dong Hoi and in Medellin

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dong Hoi and in Medellin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $744 in Dong Hoi versus $1,692 in Medellin.

  • Dong Hoi $744
  • Medellin $1,692

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,191 in Dong Hoi versus $2,471 in Medellin.

  • Dong Hoi $1,191
  • Medellin $2,471

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,638 in Dong Hoi versus $3,249 in Medellin.

  • Dong Hoi $1,638
  • Medellin $3,249

Living in Dong Hoi costs roughly 56% less than in Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Dong Hoi is 45% below, Medellin is 25% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95 ₫50.1K
$8.34 COP 27.0K
-76.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.02 ₫489.9K
$46.53 COP 150.9K
-59.12%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.48 ₫89.6K
$9.47 COP 30.7K
-63.25%
Cappuccino
$1.08 ₫27.8K
$3.13 COP 10.2K
-65.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₫8,854
$1.77 COP 5,727
-80.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ₫9,124
$1.42 COP 4,619
-75.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.57 ₫14.6K
$3.15 COP 10.2K
-81.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 ₫59.0K
$5.70 COP 18.5K
-59.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 ₫40.3K
$1.53 COP 4,969
1.96%
White Bread (500g)
$0.89 ₫23.0K
$2.29 COP 7,429
-61.14%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.00 ₫25.8K
$1.94 COP 6,306
-48.45%
Eggs
$1.53 ₫39.4K
$3.07 COP 9,942
-50.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.20 ₫340.0K
$9.99 COP 32.4K
32.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.33 ₫85.7K
$10.45 COP 33.9K
-68.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.67 ₫249.2K
$13.96 COP 45.3K
-30.73%
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 ₫69.0K
$4.05 COP 13.1K
-33.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.16 ₫29.9K
$1.53 COP 4,956
-24.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.34 ₫34.6K
$2.10 COP 6,823
-36.19%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.52 ₫39.1K
$2.29 COP 7,437
-33.62%
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 ₫29.6K
$2.11 COP 6,839
-45.50%
Onion (1kg)
$1.27 ₫32.7K
$1.71 COP 5,542
-25.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ₫26.0K
$1.17 COP 3,794
-13.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₫13.7K
$1.58 COP 5,123
-66.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.53 ₫39.5K
$3.91 COP 12.7K
-60.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.71 ₫198.7K
$14.04 COP 45.5K
-45.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 ₫22.6K
$1.76 COP 5,712
-50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 ₫56.4K
$2.71 COP 8,793
-19.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 ₫8,761
$1.18 COP 3,825
-71.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.16 ₫184.5K
$76.3 COP 247.4K
-90.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.02 ₫26.3K
$1.81 COP 5,859
-43.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.48 ₫12.3K
$2.13 COP 6,904
-77.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.57 ₫66.2K
$8.13 COP 26.4K
-68.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 ₫23.6K
$1.28 COP 4,135
-28.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9K ₫796.7M
$34.4K COP 111.7M
-10.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K ₫724.7M
$34.1K COP 110.7M
-17.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.7 ₫1.7M
$178 COP 576.3K
-63.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.16 ₫158.7K
$13.89 COP 45.0K
-55.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.41 ₫216.6K
$30.74 COP 99.7K
-72.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.12 ₫492.5K
$41.94 COP 136.0K
-54.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.20 ₫185.5K
$16.80 COP 54.5K
-57.14%
Cinema Ticket
$3.43 ₫88.5K
$7.47 COP 24.2K
-54.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$459 ₫11.8M
$790 COP 2.6M
-41.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.5K ₫529.3M
$12.3K COP 39.9M
67.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.86 ₫1.2M
$86.3 COP 279.9K
-46.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.34 ₫729.9K
$59.3 COP 192.2K
-52.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 ₫2.6M
$138 COP 448.6K
-27.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.1 ₫2.2M
$98.8 COP 320.4K
-14.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$435 ₫11.2M
$1,341 COP 4.3M
-67.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$266 ₫6.9M
$667 COP 2.2M
-60.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$746 ₫19.2M
$1,976 COP 6.4M
-62.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$566 ₫14.6M
$1,033 COP 3.3M
-45.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,183 ₫56.2M
$4,098 COP 13.3M
-46.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,164 ₫30.0M
$1,940 COP 6.3M
-39.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dong Hoi
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$398 ₫10.3M
$646 COP 2.1M
-38.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7
10.94
-36.01%

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

Last update for Dong Hoi: November 1, 2026

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Dong Hoi
$266
Medellin
$667 151% $401
Groceries & Markets
Dong Hoi
$194
Medellin
$307 58.6% $114
Clothing & Footwear
Dong Hoi
$117
Medellin
$172 47.7% $56
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dong Hoi
$80
Medellin
$222 177% $142
Eating Out
Dong Hoi
$49
Medellin
$173 251% $123
Sport & Entertainment
Dong Hoi
$26
Medellin
$57 119% $31
Getting Around
Dong Hoi
$12
Medellin
$93 684% $82

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $435 in Dong Hoi and $1,341 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Medellin pays 62% 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: $19 in Dong Hoi vs $47 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $194 vs $307 per month, with Dong Hoi cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇻🇳 Dong Hoi
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
06:29 6:29 AM
18:29 6:29 PM
12 h behind Dong Hoi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
91,601
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to VND – Vietnamese Dong Converter

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 25,761 VND (100,000 VND = 3.88 USD). 1 EUR = 29,000 VND (100,000 VND = 3.45 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 3,242 COP (10,000 COP = 3.08 USD). 1 EUR = 3,650 COP (10,000 COP = 2.74 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Dong Hoi Medellin 17,360 km ≈ 22 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Dong Hoi
  • Medellin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Dong Hoi vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Dong Hoi and in Medellin?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $744 in Dong Hoi and $1,692 in Medellin, so Dong Hoi is about 56% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 38% lower in Dong Hoi. 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 Dong Hoi and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $435 in Dong Hoi versus $1,341 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dong Hoi or Medellin?
All in, you’ll spend $744 per month in Dong Hoi versus $1,692 in Medellin – Dong Hoi is about 56% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How do commuting costs compare in Dong Hoi and in Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Dong Hoi runs roughly 91% less than in Medellin. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
At $744 in Dong Hoi versus $1,692 in Medellin, a $1,200 budget is realistic in Dong Hoi but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Dong Hoi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Dong Hoi 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.
Where should expats move: Dong Hoi or Medellin?
Expats usually find Dong Hoi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 56% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Dong Hoi vs other spots: cost of living compared

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