😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,297 in Jekabpils versus $1,013 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,890 in Jekabpils versus $1,602 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,484 in Jekabpils versus $2,192 in Medellin.
😐Living in Jekabpils is roughly 28% more expensive than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Jekabpils3% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.57€10.91
$5.99COP 21.5K
109.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.38€28.09
$32.86COP 118.1K
-1.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.47€8.22
$7.09COP 25.5K
33.57%
Cappuccino
$3.55€3.08
$1.71COP 6,155
107.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05€0.91
$1.10COP 3,950
-4.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98€0.85
$0.78COP 2,799
25.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.90€4.25
$1.68COP 6,037
191.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88€5.10
$3.07COP 11.0K
91.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11€0.97
$1.09COP 3,931
1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.69€1.47
$1.26COP 4,537
34.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.97€2.58
$1.38COP 4,955
115.22%
Eggs
$2.36€2.05
$2.19COP 7,878
7.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.44€8.19
$4.40COP 15.8K
114.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.86€5.95
$5.63COP 20.2K
21.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.71€10.15
$8.89COP 32.0K
31.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.27€1.10
$2.34COP 8,403
-45.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.93€1.67
$1.06COP 3,802
82.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06€1.79
$1.50COP 5,409
37.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.44€2.99
$1.38COP 4,956
149.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.03€0.90
$1.15COP 4,138
-10.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.89€0.77
$1.16COP 4,183
-23.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.75€1.52
$0.89COP 3,203
96.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77€0.67
$0.84COP 3,016
-8.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.64€4.89
$2.28COP 8,198
147.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.94€6.02
$10.64COP 38.3K
-34.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52€1.32
$1.20COP 4,312
26.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18€1.02
$2.47COP 8,882
-52.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.43€1.24
$0.86COP 3,076
66.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.00€32.10
$41.40COP 148.8K
-10.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.01€0.88
$1.47COP 5,298
-31.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38€0.33
$1.96COP 7,055
-80.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.70€11.89
$7.74COP 27.8K
77.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.78€1.55
$0.95COP 3,431
87.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K€26.2K
$18.1KCOP 65.2M
66.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0K€27.7K
$26.5KCOP 95.2M
20.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$281€244
$82.3COP 295.7K
241.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.54€10.01
$9.50COP 34.2K
21.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.72€14.50
$24.23COP 87.1K
-30.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.3€44.48
$25.89COP 93.0K
98.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.15€12.28
$19.00COP 68.3K
-25.53%
Cinema Ticket
$11.68€10.13
$3.93COP 14.1K
197.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$544€472
$309COP 1.1M
75.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,132€7,055
$5,965COP 21.4M
36.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.0€78.9
$58.7COP 210.8K
55.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.20€25.33
$32.35COP 116.3K
-9.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.0€82.4
$103COP 368.8K
-7.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132€115
$108COP 389.7K
22.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$361€313
$476COP 1.7M
-24.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$254€221
$379COP 1.4M
-32.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$738€641
$838COP 3.0M
-11.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$457€396
$724COP 2.6M
-36.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$887€770
$2,791COP 10.0M
-68.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$824€715
$1,211COP 4.4M
-31.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jekabpils
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,031€895
$512COP 1.8M
101.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.63
13.43
-65.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jekabpils: June 1, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $361 in Jekabpils and $476 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jekabpils pays 101% 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: $32.00 in Jekabpils vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $235 vs $188, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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
Jekabpils vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Jekabpils and Medellin?
Jekabpils and Medellin differ by about 28% in total monthly costs ($1,297 vs $1,013 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Jekabpils or Medellin?
Jekabpils pays 101% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Jekabpils and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $361 in Jekabpils 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: Jekabpils or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $1,297 per month in Jekabpils versus $1,013 in Medellin – a 28% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Jekabpils and Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 12% less than in Jekabpils. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,297 in Jekabpils, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Jekabpils. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Jekabpils 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 Jekabpils or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Jekabpils 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: Jekabpils or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Jekabpils. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.