Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Fiji and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Fiji: $696 a month against $1,614 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $11,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Fiji
🇫🇯 Fiji
$696
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,614
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Fiji 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 Fiji and in Medellin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $696 in Fiji versus $1,614 in Medellin.

  • Fiji $696
  • Medellin $1,614

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,151 in Fiji versus $2,402 in Medellin.

  • Fiji $1,151
  • Medellin $2,402

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,606 in Fiji versus $3,190 in Medellin.

  • Fiji $1,606
  • Medellin $3,190

Living in Fiji costs roughly 57% less than in Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

The two cities straddle the global median: Fiji is 48% below, Medellin is 20% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.49 FJD 10.06
$7.93 COP 25.2K
-43.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.82 FJD 73.5
$46.13 COP 146.3K
-28.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.36 FJD 14.24
$9.50 COP 30.1K
-33.05%
Cappuccino
$2.51 FJD 5.61
$3.11 COP 9,866
-19.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40 FJD 3.13
$1.83 COP 5,800
-23.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98 FJD 2.20
$1.38 COP 4,360
-28.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.05 FJD 9.08
$3.05 COP 9,672
32.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93 FJD 8.80
$5.50 COP 17.4K
-28.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 FJD 2.74
$1.45 COP 4,600
-15.86%
White Bread (500g)
$0.23 FJD 0.51
$2.36 COP 7,496
-90.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.93 FJD 2.09
$1.68 COP 5,328
-44.64%
Eggs
$3.12 FJD 6.99
$2.86 COP 9,077
9.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.73 FJD 24.02
$10.19 COP 32.3K
5.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.28 FJD 11.82
$9.53 COP 30.2K
-44.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$14.04 COP 44.5K
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.29 FJD 2.89
$4.07 COP 12.9K
-68.30%
Banana (1kg)
$0.91 FJD 2.04
$1.50 COP 4,742
-39.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 FJD 3.87
$2.17 COP 6,891
-20.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.37 FJD 3.06
$2.31 COP 7,310
-40.69%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 FJD 1.56
$1.93 COP 6,113
-63.73%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 FJD 1.51
$1.64 COP 5,196
-58.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.92 FJD 2.06
$1.13 COP 3,571
-18.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 FJD 1.14
$1.25 COP 3,954
-59.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.31 FJD 25.32
$3.99 COP 12.6K
183.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.21 FJD 13.90
$13.35 COP 42.3K
-53.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.11 FJD 9.20
$1.70 COP 5,384
141.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.08 FJD 9.13
$2.37 COP 7,525
72.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 FJD 1.96
$1.21 COP 3,827
-27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$76.5 COP 242.5K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.10 FJD 2.45
$1.32 COP 4,179
-16.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$2.14 COP 6,774
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$8.47 COP 26.8K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 FJD 2.93
$1.30 COP 4,114
0.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.7K FJD 102.2K
$28.0K COP 88.7M
63.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$35.4K COP 112.3M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$53.9 FJD 121
$172 COP 545.6K
-68.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.22 FJD 29.60
$13.37 COP 42.4K
-1.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.78 FJD 39.81
$28.73 COP 91.1K
-38.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.61 FJD 50.6
$45.24 COP 143.5K
-50.02%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.51 FJD 10.10
$17.04 COP 54.0K
-73.53%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92 FJD 8.77
$6.28 COP 19.9K
-37.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$43.80 FJD 98.1
$770 COP 2.4M
-94.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,011 COP 28.6M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.57 FJD 43.81
$86.4 COP 274.0K
-77.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$57.1 COP 181.1K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$30.21 FJD 67.7
$137 COP 432.9K
-77.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$97.9 COP 310.4K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$673 FJD 1,507
$1,055 COP 3.3M
-36.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$262 FJD 587
$616 COP 2.0M
-57.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,105 FJD 2,474
$1,892 COP 6.0M
-41.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$612 FJD 1,370
$1,023 COP 3.2M
-40.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,296 FJD 2,901
$4,059 COP 12.9M
-68.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,320 FJD 2,955
$1,678 COP 5.3M
-21.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fiji
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$537 FJD 1,202
$652 COP 2.1M
-17.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6
10.94
-45.16%

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

Last update for Fiji: October 12, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Fiji
$262
Medellin
$616 135% $354
Groceries & Markets
Fiji
$169 *
Medellin
$295 74% $125
Eating Out
Fiji
$123
Medellin
$168 37.2% $46
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fiji
$85
Medellin
$214 152% $129
Sport & Entertainment
Fiji
$30
Medellin
$58 89.9% $27
Clothing & Footwear
Fiji
$22 *
Medellin
$170 659% $148
Getting Around
Fiji
$4.6 *
Medellin
$93 1929% $89

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $673 in Fiji and $1,055 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Medellin pays 21% 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: $33.00 in Fiji vs $46.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $169 vs $295 per month, with Fiji cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇫🇯 Fiji
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
17:31 5:31 PM
00:31 12:31 AM
17 h behind Fiji
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
92,043
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to FJD – Fijian Dollar Converter

Fijian Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 2.24 FJD (1 FJD = 0.447 USD). 1 EUR = 2.52 FJD (1 FJD = 0.397 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Fiji Medellin 11,900 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Fiji
  • 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
Fiji vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Fiji?
Fiji is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and utilities. The 132% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Fiji or Medellin?
On paper, salaries run 21% lower in Medellin. 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 Fiji and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $673 in Fiji versus $1,055 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Fiji and in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 74% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Fiji and in Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $696 per month in Fiji versus $1,614 in Medellin – a 132% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Fiji or in Medellin?
At $696 in Fiji versus $1,614 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Fiji but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Fiji the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Fiji or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Fiji 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, Fiji or Medellin?
Safety-wise, Fiji 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 Fiji gentler on the wallet – expenses run 132% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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