Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Jimma vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,428 per month in Jimma vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,823 per month in Jimma vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.

Jimma costs about 2% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Jimma and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Jimma 23% lower, Medellin 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.50 ETB 714

$5.95 COP 20.8K

-24.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.33 COP 116.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.23 COP 25.2K

Cappuccino

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.63 COP 5,687

-30.67%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ETB 95.4

$1.09 COP 3,821

-44.95%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 ETB 74.7

$0.73 COP 2,548

-35.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.20 ETB 190

$1.74 COP 6,065

-31.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 ETB 233

$3.23 COP 11.3K

-54.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 ETB 188

$1.05 COP 3,662

13.33%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 63.2

$1.29 COP 4,515

-68.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ETB 187

$1.32 COP 4,617

-10.61%

Eggs

$4.16 ETB 659

$2.27 COP 7,927

83.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.35 COP 15.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.42 ETB 1,810

$5.88 COP 20.5K

94.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 ETB 1,826

$8.61 COP 30.0K

33.80%

Apples (1kg)

$2.29 ETB 363

$2.25 COP 7,844

1.78%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 182

$1.07 COP 3,733

7.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.46 ETB 548

$1.52 COP 5,322

127.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 ETB 87.9

$1.42 COP 4,964

-61.27%

Potato (1kg)

$0.56 ETB 89.5

$1.17 COP 4,084

-52.14%

Onion (1kg)

$3.43 ETB 543

$1.17 COP 4,077

193.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,096

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ETB 96.0

$0.90 COP 3,146

-32.22%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 COP 7,837

Wine (Bottle)

$6.86 ETB 1,088

$11.04 COP 38.5K

-37.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ETB 179

$1.14 COP 3,977

-0.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 ETB 227

$2.38 COP 8,301

-39.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.10

$0.84 COP 2,916

-71.43%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,171

$41.95 COP 146.4K

-67.34%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 COP 4,912

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 COP 6,634

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 ETB 279

$7.75 COP 27.0K

-77.29%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.77 ETB 280

$1.01 COP 3,509

75.25%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$52.2K ETB 8.3M

$17.6K COP 61.4M

197.05%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$57.6K ETB 9.1M

$26.5K COP 92.5M

117.48%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.2 ETB 10.0K

$83.7 COP 292.1K

-24.44%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$15.34 ETB 2,431

$9.45 COP 33.0K

62.33%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$313 ETB 49.6K

$24.11 COP 84.1K

1197.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.61 ETB 5,485

$25.31 COP 88.3K

36.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.14 COP 66.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 COP 14.3K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$312 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 COP 20.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.0 COP 202.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.9 ETB 14.7K

$32.56 COP 113.6K

185.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$140 ETB 22.2K

$99.6 COP 347.7K

40.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 18.1K

$109 COP 378.8K

5.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$217 ETB 34.4K

$482 COP 1.7M

-55.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$159 ETB 25.1K

$379 COP 1.3M

-58.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$418 ETB 66.3K

$837 COP 2.9M

-50.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 51.7K

$723 COP 2.5M

-54.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,277 ETB 360.9K

$2,840 COP 9.9M

-19.82%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,149 ETB 182.2K

$1,223 COP 4.3M

-6.02%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$233 ETB 36.9K

$541 COP 1.9M

-56.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

-32.99%

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

Last update for Jimma: June 7, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $217 in Jimma versus $482 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 132% higher in Medellin, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Jimma vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Jimma is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,551 per month in Jimma and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% more in Jimma, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

Public transport costs about 206% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Jimma at $1,034. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jimma makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.