Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and Medellin

For one person, living costs are similar in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and in Medellin: $1,610 and $1,625 a month, rent and utilities included.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
🇪🇸 Spain
$1,610
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,610 per month in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs $1,625 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands $1,610
  • Medellin $1,625

A couple spends around $2,368 per month in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs $2,412 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands $2,368
  • Medellin $2,412

A family of three spends $3,126 per month in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs $3,199 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands $3,126
  • Medellin $3,199

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands is about 1% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and Medellin sit above the global median – Gran Canaria, Canary Islands by 19%, Medellin by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.81 €13.18
$8.30 COP 26.3K
78.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.1 €50.8
$46.91 COP 148.7K
21.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.31 €9.17
$9.24 COP 29.3K
11.58%
Cappuccino
$2.17 €1.93
$3.05 COP 9,676
-28.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 €2.12
$1.80 COP 5,707
32.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 €1.51
$1.38 COP 4,382
23.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.40 €3.03
$3.24 COP 10.3K
4.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 €3.04
$5.56 COP 17.6K
-38.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 €1.06
$1.50 COP 4,760
-20.67%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 €1.21
$2.37 COP 7,508
-42.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 €1.48
$1.70 COP 5,377
-1.76%
Eggs
$2.89 €2.57
$2.96 COP 9,379
-2.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.52 €12.03
$10.22 COP 32.4K
32.29%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.22 €7.31
$9.74 COP 30.9K
-15.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.10 €13.43
$13.90 COP 44.1K
8.63%
Apples (1kg)
$2.51 €2.23
$4.13 COP 13.1K
-39.23%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 €1.74
$1.53 COP 4,839
28.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 €1.75
$2.22 COP 7,052
-11.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.59 €2.30
$2.27 COP 7,194
14.10%
Potato (1kg)
$1.73 €1.54
$1.99 COP 6,311
-13.07%
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 €1.80
$1.67 COP 5,285
20.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.33 €1.18
$1.18 COP 3,742
12.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 €0.62
$1.24 COP 3,919
-43.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.46 €5.75
$3.87 COP 12.3K
66.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.73 €5.10
$13.78 COP 43.7K
-58.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 €1.07
$1.66 COP 5,256
-27.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 €1.83
$2.40 COP 7,615
-14.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.69 €1.50
$1.24 COP 3,944
36.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$33.64 €29.92
$78.2 COP 248.0K
-56.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.09 €3.64
$1.28 COP 4,044
219.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 €1.12
$2.15 COP 6,803
-41.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.03 €22.26
$8.37 COP 26.5K
199.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.76 €1.57
$1.35 COP 4,288
30.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.3K €34.1K
$34.8K COP 110.2M
10.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K €27.0K
$34.7K COP 110.0M
-12.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$135 €120
$167 COP 528.4K
-19.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.74 €18.45
$13.62 COP 43.2K
52.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.89 €27.48
$29.12 COP 92.3K
6.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.30 €42.08
$45.09 COP 143.0K
4.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.03 €13.37
$17.18 COP 54.5K
-12.51%
Cinema Ticket
$9.02 €8.03
$6.97 COP 22.1K
29.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$413 €367
$790 COP 2.5M
-47.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,267 €7,353
$9,041 COP 28.7M
-8.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.1 €74.8
$87.8 COP 278.4K
-4.23%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.68 €30.84
$58.2 COP 184.4K
-40.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.4 €77.8
$139 COP 440.7K
-37.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 €95.5
$98.9 COP 313.5K
8.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$853 €758
$1,028 COP 3.3M
-17.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$690 €614
$620 COP 2.0M
11.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,305 €1,161
$1,881 COP 6.0M
-30.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,016 €903
$1,008 COP 3.2M
0.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,320 €2,953
$3,988 COP 12.6M
-16.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,366 €2,105
$1,702 COP 5.4M
39.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$663 COP 2.1M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.5
10.94
-68.01%

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

Last update for Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: October 18, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$690
Medellin
$619 10.2% $71
Groceries & Markets
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$260
Medellin
$298 14.5% $38
Eating Out
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$216
Medellin
$171 20.8% $45
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$186
Medellin
$209 12.5% $23
Clothing & Footwear
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$141
Medellin
$173 22.4% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$65
Medellin
$59 9.7% $6.3
Getting Around
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
$51
Medellin
$95 87.5% $44

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $853 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands versus $1,028 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $57.0 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands versus $47.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $260 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs $298 in Medellin – so Gran Canaria, Canary Islands wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇪🇸 Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
02:30 2:30 AM
20:30 8:30 PM
6 h behind Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
862,893
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 24, 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
  • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Medellin 6,750 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
  • 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
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Gran Canaria, Canary Islands?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 1%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,414 per month in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and $2,437 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $413 per month in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and $790 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands and in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands or in Medellin?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, where all-in costs run around $1,610, than in Medellin at $1,625. In Gran Canaria, Canary Islands it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Gran Canaria, Canary Islands or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands or Medellin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. 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.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands vs other spots: cost of living compared

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