Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Isfahan and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Isfahan: $470 a month against $1,614 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $13,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Isfahan
🇮🇷 Iran
$470
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,614
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $470 per month in Isfahan vs $1,614 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Isfahan $470
  • Medellin $1,614

A couple spends around $802 per month in Isfahan vs $2,402 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Isfahan $802
  • Medellin $2,402

A family of three spends $1,134 per month in Isfahan vs $3,190 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Isfahan $1,134
  • Medellin $3,190

Isfahan is about 71% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Isfahan sits 65% below the global median, while Medellin is 20% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.07 $3.07
$7.93 COP 25.2K
-61.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.72 $12.72
$46.13 COP 146.3K
-72.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.01 $3.01
$9.50 COP 30.1K
-68.32%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.76 $0.76
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.01 $1.01
$3.11 COP 9,866
-67.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 $0.49
$1.83 COP 5,800
-73.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 $0.48
$1.38 COP 4,360
-65.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.05 COP 9,672
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.50 COP 17.4K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.48 $0.48
$1.45 COP 4,600
-66.90%
White Bread (500g)
$0.46 $0.46
$2.36 COP 7,496
-80.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.68 COP 5,328
17.26%
Eggs
$1.51 $1.51
$2.86 COP 9,077
-47.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$10.19 COP 32.3K
-72.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.42 $2.42
$9.53 COP 30.2K
-74.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.57 $10.57
$14.04 COP 44.5K
-24.72%
Apples (1kg)
$0.76 $0.76
$4.07 COP 12.9K
-81.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.28 $1.28
$1.50 COP 4,742
-14.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.05 $1.05
$2.17 COP 6,891
-51.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.61 $0.61
$2.31 COP 7,310
-73.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.61 $0.61
$1.93 COP 6,113
-68.39%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 $0.49
$1.64 COP 5,196
-70.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.59 $0.59
$1.13 COP 3,571
-47.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.21 $0.21
$1.25 COP 3,954
-83.20%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.52 $0.52
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 $0.51
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 $0.83
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07 $2.07
$3.99 COP 12.6K
-48.12%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$13.35 COP 42.3K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.70 COP 5,384
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.37 COP 7,525
-
🚌 Getting Around
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 $0.29
$1.21 COP 3,827
-76.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.52 $12.52
$76.5 COP 242.5K
-83.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.51 $0.51
$1.32 COP 4,179
-61.36%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 $0.31
$2.14 COP 6,774
-85.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.04 $2.04
$8.47 COP 26.8K
-75.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.30 COP 4,114
-29.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9K $67.9K
$28.0K COP 88.7M
142.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$58.5K $58.5K
$35.4K COP 112.3M
65.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$10.26 $10.26
$172 COP 545.6K
-94.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$1.99 $1.99
$13.37 COP 42.4K
-85.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.48 $7.48
$28.73 COP 91.1K
-73.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.64 $13.64
$45.24 COP 143.5K
-69.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.19 $13.19
$17.04 COP 54.0K
-22.59%
Cinema Ticket
$1.02 $1.02
$6.28 COP 19.9K
-83.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$72.2 $72.2
$770 COP 2.4M
-90.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$533 $533
$9,011 COP 28.6M
-94.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.62 $18.62
$86.4 COP 274.0K
-78.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.77 $23.77
$57.1 COP 181.1K
-58.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.2 $86.2
$137 COP 432.9K
-36.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.85 $37.85
$97.9 COP 310.4K
-61.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$289 $289
$1,055 COP 3.3M
-72.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$192 $192
$616 COP 2.0M
-68.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,311 $1,311
$1,892 COP 6.0M
-30.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$454 $454
$1,023 COP 3.2M
-55.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,176 $1,176
$4,059 COP 12.9M
-71.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$736 $736
$1,678 COP 5.3M
-56.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Isfahan
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$203 $203
$652 COP 2.1M
-68.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
26.8
10.94
144.97%

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

Last update for Isfahan: October 11, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Isfahan
$192
Medellin
$616 220% $423
Groceries & Markets
Isfahan
$102
Medellin
$295 190% $193
Clothing & Footwear
Isfahan
$75
Medellin
$170 127% $95
Eating Out
Isfahan
$50
Medellin
$168 240% $119
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Isfahan
$20
Medellin
$214 986% $194
Getting Around
Isfahan
$16
Medellin
$93 492% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Isfahan
$16
Medellin
$58 269% $42

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $289 in Isfahan versus $1,055 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 run about 221% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Isfahan versus $46.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $102 vs $295 – making Isfahan the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇷 Isfahan
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
09:12 9:12 AM
00:42 12:42 AM
8 h 30 min behind Isfahan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,961,260
2,486,723
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, EUR to USD – USD Converter

USD exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 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
  • Isfahan Medellin 12,970 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Isfahan
  • Medellin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Isfahan vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Isfahan or Medellin?
Medellin costs about 244% more than Isfahan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Isfahan and in Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $705 per month in Isfahan and $2,421 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Isfahan or Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Isfahan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Isfahan and in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Isfahan and $46.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Isfahan compared to Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $470 in Isfahan and $1,614 in Medellin. That's a gap of about 244%.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Isfahan or in Medellin?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Isfahan, where all-in costs run around $470, than in Medellin at $1,614. In Isfahan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Isfahan or Medellin?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Isfahan costs $470 versus $1,614 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Isfahan compared to 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.
Should I move to Isfahan or to Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Isfahan. 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.

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