🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $668 in Hai Phong versus $1,013 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,273 in Hai Phong versus $1,602 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,879 in Hai Phong versus $2,192 in Medellin.
🙂Living in Hai Phong costs roughly 34% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Hai Phong50% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57₫41.3K
$5.99COP 21.4K
-73.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.77₫519.6K
$32.86COP 117.4K
-39.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.33₫113.9K
$7.09COP 25.3K
-38.93%
Cappuccino
$1.78₫46.8K
$1.71COP 6,115
4.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.7K
$1.10COP 3,924
-56.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25₫6,510
$0.78COP 2,781
-67.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.74₫19.5K
$1.68COP 5,997
-55.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55₫40.7K
$3.07COP 11.0K
-49.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.41₫37.1K
$1.09COP 3,906
29.36%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58₫15.2K
$1.26COP 4,508
-53.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.92₫24.2K
$1.38COP 4,922
-33.33%
Eggs
$1.52₫39.8K
$2.19COP 7,827
-30.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.14₫240.3K
$4.40COP 15.7K
107.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77₫99.0K
$5.63COP 20.1K
-33.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.40₫220.8K
$8.89COP 31.8K
-5.51%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39₫89.0K
$2.34COP 8,349
44.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.01₫26.7K
$1.06COP 3,777
-4.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64₫43.2K
$1.50COP 5,374
9.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09₫28.6K
$1.38COP 4,924
-21.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04₫27.2K
$1.15COP 4,111
-9.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01₫26.6K
$1.16COP 4,155
-12.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.56₫14.7K
$0.89COP 3,182
-37.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52₫13.7K
$0.84COP 2,997
-38.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.22₫32.1K
$2.28COP 8,145
-46.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.40₫325.8K
$10.64COP 38.0K
16.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.78₫20.6K
$1.20COP 4,284
-35.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83₫48.0K
$2.47COP 8,824
-25.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42₫10.9K
$0.86COP 3,056
-51.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.92₫155.6K
$41.40COP 147.9K
-85.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.73₫19.2K
$1.47COP 5,264
-50.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.57₫15.0K
$1.96COP 7,009
-70.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.66₫43.6K
$7.74COP 27.6K
-78.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86₫22.7K
$0.95COP 3,409
-9.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5K₫1.0B
$18.1KCOP 64.7M
112.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K₫828.9M
$26.5KCOP 94.6M
19.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$37.58₫987.5K
$82.3COP 293.7K
-54.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.26₫138.1K
$9.50COP 33.9K
-44.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.71₫229.0K
$24.23COP 86.5K
-64.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.87₫600.9K
$25.89COP 92.4K
-11.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.60₫199.7K
$19.00COP 67.9K
-60.00%
Cinema Ticket
$3.73₫98.0K
$3.93COP 14.0K
-5.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$268₫7.0M
$309COP 1.1M
-13.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K₫311.2M
$5,965COP 21.3M
98.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.91₫1.2M
$58.7COP 209.5K
-23.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.95₫603.0K
$32.35COP 115.5K
-29.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.2₫2.3M
$103COP 366.4K
-15.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5₫1.9M
$108COP 387.2K
-32.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402₫10.6M
$476COP 1.7M
-15.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$243₫6.4M
$379COP 1.4M
-35.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$685₫18.0M
$838COP 3.0M
-18.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$864₫22.7M
$724COP 2.6M
19.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,831₫100.7M
$2,791COP 10.0M
37.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,513₫39.8M
$1,211COP 4.3M
24.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hai Phong
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$493₫12.9M
$512COP 1.8M
-3.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.99
13.43
-55.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hai Phong: June 1, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $402 in Hai Phong and $476 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 4% 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: $20.00 in Hai Phong vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $182 vs $188 per month, with Hai Phong 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
Hai Phong vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hai Phong and Medellin?
Hai Phong and Medellin differ by about 52% in total monthly costs ($668 vs $1,013 including rent). Hai Phong is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Medellin earns 4% less. 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 Hai Phong and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $402 in Hai Phong 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: Hai Phong or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $668 per month in Hai Phong versus $1,013 in Medellin – a 52% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hai Phong and Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Hai Phong runs roughly 599% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $668 in Hai Phong versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Hai Phong but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Hai Phong the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Hai Phong 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 Hai Phong or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hai Phong 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: Hai Phong or Medellin?
Expats usually find Hai Phong gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.