😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,974 in Dubendorf versus $1,013 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,958 in Dubendorf versus $1,602 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,942 in Dubendorf versus $2,192 in Medellin.
😐Living in Dubendorf is roughly 292% more expensive than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Dubendorf is 197% above, Medellin is 24% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.79CHF 24.36
$5.99COP 21.4K
414.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$150CHF 119
$32.86COP 117.2K
357.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$18.42CHF 14.57
$7.09COP 25.3K
159.80%
Cappuccino
$6.38CHF 5.05
$1.71COP 6,105
273.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.85CHF 4.63
$1.10COP 3,918
431.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.40CHF 4.27
$0.78COP 2,776
592.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.41CHF 5.87
$1.68COP 5,987
341.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.99CHF 5.53
$3.07COP 10.9K
127.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.15CHF 1.70
$1.09COP 3,899
97.25%
White Bread(500g)
$3.26CHF 2.58
$1.26COP 4,500
158.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.08CHF 3.23
$1.38COP 4,914
195.65%
Eggs
$7.26CHF 5.74
$2.19COP 7,813
231.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$29.29CHF 23.17
$4.40COP 15.7K
565.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$31.91CHF 25.24
$5.63COP 20.1K
466.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$49.09CHF 38.84
$8.89COP 31.7K
452.19%
Apples(1kg)
$3.18CHF 2.51
$2.34COP 8,334
35.90%
Banana(1kg)
$2.81CHF 2.22
$1.06COP 3,771
165.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.09CHF 2.44
$1.50COP 5,365
106.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.09CHF 5.61
$1.38COP 4,915
413.77%
Potato(1kg)
$2.78CHF 2.20
$1.15COP 4,104
141.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27CHF 1.80
$1.16COP 4,148
95.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.55CHF 2.02
$0.89COP 3,176
186.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.73CHF 1.37
$0.84COP 2,992
105.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.01CHF 8.71
$2.28COP 8,131
382.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.50CHF 12.27
$10.64COP 37.9K
45.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.24CHF 1.77
$1.20COP 4,276
86.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95CHF 2.33
$2.47COP 8,809
19.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$7.71CHF 6.10
$0.86COP 3,051
796.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$123CHF 97.5
$41.40COP 147.6K
197.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.87CHF 5.43
$1.47COP 5,255
367.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.25CHF 3.36
$1.96COP 6,997
116.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$79.7CHF 63.1
$7.74COP 27.6K
930.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31CHF 1.83
$0.95COP 3,403
143.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.6KCHF 31.3K
$18.1KCOP 64.6M
118.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2KCHF 31.8K
$26.5KCOP 94.4M
51.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$260CHF 206
$82.3COP 293.2K
216.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.53CHF 28.11
$9.50COP 33.9K
274.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.7CHF 41.70
$24.23COP 86.4K
117.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.4CHF 69.1
$25.89COP 92.3K
237.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$55.8CHF 44.11
$19.00COP 67.7K
193.42%
Cinema Ticket
$25.12CHF 19.87
$3.93COP 14.0K
539.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,686CHF 2,125
$309COP 1.1M
768.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.6KCHF 31.4K
$5,965COP 21.3M
564.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$147CHF 116
$58.7COP 209.1K
150.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.5CHF 51.0
$32.35COP 115.3K
99.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$147CHF 117
$103COP 365.7K
43.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$202CHF 160
$108COP 386.5K
86.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,855CHF 1,467
$476COP 1.7M
289.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,860CHF 1,472
$379COP 1.4M
391.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,681CHF 2,121
$838COP 3.0M
219.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,917CHF 2,307
$724COP 2.6M
302.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$14.0KCHF 11.1K
$2,791COP 9.9M
403.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$10.0KCHF 7,912
$1,211COP 4.3M
725.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dubendorf
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,069CHF 3,219
$512COP 1.8M
695.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
13.43
-81.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dubendorf: June 2, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,855 in Dubendorf and $476 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Dubendorf pays 695% 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: $150 in Dubendorf vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $667 vs $188 per month, with Medellin 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
Dubendorf vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Dubendorf and Medellin?
Dubendorf and Medellin differ by about 292% in total monthly costs ($3,974 vs $1,013 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Dubendorf or Medellin?
Dubendorf pays 695% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Dubendorf and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,855 in Dubendorf versus $476 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dubendorf or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $3,974 per month in Dubendorf versus $1,013 in Medellin – a 292% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Dubendorf and Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 198% less than in Dubendorf. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $3,974 in Dubendorf, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Dubendorf. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Dubendorf 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 Dubendorf or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Dubendorf 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: Dubendorf or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 292% less than in Dubendorf. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.