Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ikeja and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $2,392 in Ikeja, rent and utilities included – about $9,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Ikeja outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Ikeja, Nigeria
Medellin, Colombia
Ikeja
🇳🇬 Nigeria
$2,392
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $2,392 per month in Ikeja vs $1,639 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Ikeja $2,392
  • Medellin $1,639

A couple spends around $4,077 per month in Ikeja vs $2,413 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Ikeja $4,077
  • Medellin $2,413

A family of three spends $5,762 per month in Ikeja vs $3,186 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Ikeja $5,762
  • Medellin $3,186

Ikeja costs about 46% more than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Ikeja and Medellin sit above the global median – Ikeja by 76%, Medellin by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.49 ₦663
$8.09 COP 25.4K
-93.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.21 ₦15.0K
$47.05 COP 148.0K
-76.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.56 ₦10.1K
$9.50 COP 29.9K
-20.42%
Cappuccino
$2.84 ₦3,802
$3.01 COP 9,485
-5.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14 ₦182
$1.80 COP 5,660
-92.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.07 ₦96.1
$1.41 COP 4,443
-95.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.29 ₦387
$3.18 COP 9,990
-90.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 ₦2,704
$5.75 COP 18.1K
-64.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.72 ₦960
$1.51 COP 4,751
-52.32%
White Bread (500g)
$0.77 ₦1,027
$2.38 COP 7,480
-67.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 ₦1,692
$1.77 COP 5,573
-28.81%
Eggs
$2.25 ₦3,016
$2.89 COP 9,093
-22.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.59 ₦4,809
$10.19 COP 32.1K
-64.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.81 ₦5,106
$9.87 COP 31.1K
-61.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.56 ₦6,110
$13.99 COP 44.0K
-67.41%
Apples (1kg)
$1.68 ₦2,252
$3.97 COP 12.5K
-57.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.32 ₦1,775
$1.55 COP 4,883
-14.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.13 ₦1,510
$2.18 COP 6,867
-48.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.54 ₦2,069
$2.18 COP 6,870
-29.36%
Potato (1kg)
$1.59 ₦2,128
$1.96 COP 6,174
-18.88%
Onion (1kg)
$1.56 ₦2,096
$1.59 COP 5,000
-1.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.84 ₦1,122
$1.15 COP 3,604
-26.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36 ₦485
$1.24 COP 3,911
-70.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.59 ₦788
$3.96 COP 12.5K
-85.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$2.36 ₦3,161
$13.68 COP 43.0K
-82.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 ₦719
$1.66 COP 5,222
-67.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₦671
$2.26 COP 7,104
-77.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.09 ₦126
$1.17 COP 3,674
-92.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.33 ₦4,468
$77.4 COP 243.4K
-95.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.70 ₦938
$1.27 COP 3,989
-44.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.90 ₦1,207
$2.05 COP 6,442
-56.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.18 ₦2,923
$8.55 COP 26.9K
-74.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.13 ₦176
$1.35 COP 4,237
-90.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.2K ₦15.0M
$34.1K COP 107.2M
-67.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2K ₦37.8M
$34.7K COP 109.1M
-18.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$110 ₦147.5K
$170 COP 533.7K
-35.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.51 ₦19.5K
$13.55 COP 42.6K
7.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.25 ₦44.6K
$28.07 COP 88.3K
18.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$43.70 COP 137.5K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.19 COP 54.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.33 ₦8,485
$6.91 COP 21.7K
-8.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$667 ₦894.3K
$797 COP 2.5M
-16.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.5K ₦26.1M
$9,112 COP 28.7M
113.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.51 ₦19.4K
$84.7 COP 266.5K
-82.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.28 ₦24.5K
$58.0 COP 182.3K
-68.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$36.38 ₦48.8K
$135 COP 424.6K
-73.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$48.13 ₦64.5K
$97.9 COP 307.9K
-50.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,483 ₦4.7M
$1,208 COP 3.8M
188.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,968 ₦2.6M
$642 COP 2.0M
206.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$6,383 ₦8.6M
$2,028 COP 6.4M
214.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,948 ₦6.6M
$1,012 COP 3.2M
389.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,170 COP 13.1M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,910 COP 6.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ikeja
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$73.8 ₦98.9K
$657 COP 2.1M
-88.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18.39
10.94
68.10%

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

Last update for Ikeja: October 25, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ikeja
$2K
Medellin
$642 67.4% $1.3K
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ikeja
$158
Medellin
$211 33.9% $53
Groceries & Markets
Ikeja
$125
Medellin
$297 138% $172
Eating Out
Ikeja
$67
Medellin
$170 153% $103
Clothing & Footwear
Ikeja
$53
Medellin
$169 220% $116
Sport & Entertainment
Ikeja
$13 *
Medellin
$58 354% $45
Getting Around
Ikeja
$8.9
Medellin
$94 950% $85

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,483 in Ikeja versus $1,208 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Medellin are about 8.9 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Ikeja versus $47 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $125 vs $297 – making Ikeja the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇳🇬 Ikeja
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
11:18 11:18 AM
05:18 5:18 AM
6 h behind Ikeja
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
861,300
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to NGN – Nigerian Naira Converter

Nigerian Naira exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1,340 NGN (10,000 NGN = 7.46 USD). 1 EUR = 1,492 NGN (10,000 NGN = 6.7 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 3,146 COP (10,000 COP = 3.18 USD). 1 EUR = 3,501 COP (10,000 COP = 2.86 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ikeja Medellin 8,710 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ikeja
  • 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
Ikeja vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ikeja or Medellin?
Ikeja costs about 46% more than Medellin, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ikeja and in Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,589 per month in Ikeja and $2,459 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ikeja or Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,208 there versus $3,483 in Ikeja.
Are groceries more expensive in Ikeja or in Medellin?
Interestingly, groceries are about 58% cheaper in Ikeja – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
How do dining costs compare in Ikeja and in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Ikeja and $47 in Medellin. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ikeja or Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,639 in Medellin to $2,392 in Ikeja. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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