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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,030 per month in Jimma vs $1,034 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,424 per month in Jimma vs $1,577 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,818 per month in Jimma vs $2,120 in Medellin, rent included.

Jimma and Medellin have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.72 ETB 736

$5.92 COP 21.5K

-20.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.75 COP 119.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.20 COP 26.2K

Cappuccino

$1.19 ETB 186

$1.70 COP 6,186

-30.00%

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

$0.60 ETB 93.8

$1.10 COP 3,996

-45.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 ETB 68.5

$0.72 COP 2,625

-38.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.21 ETB 188

$1.67 COP 6,067

-27.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 ETB 231

$3.10 COP 11.3K

-52.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 ETB 183

$1.06 COP 3,837

10.38%

White Bread (500g)

$0.40 ETB 61.7

$1.25 COP 4,531

-68.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ETB 177

$1.39 COP 5,060

-18.71%

Eggs

$4.26 ETB 664

$2.26 COP 8,229

88.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.33 COP 15.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.59 ETB 1,809

$5.84 COP 21.2K

98.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.66 ETB 1,820

$8.83 COP 32.1K

32.05%

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 ETB 357

$2.24 COP 8,159

1.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 ETB 179

$1.08 COP 3,911

6.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.48 ETB 543

$1.53 COP 5,563

127.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 94.9

$1.37 COP 4,987

-55.47%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 ETB 95.0

$1.13 COP 4,109

-46.02%

Onion (1kg)

$3.52 ETB 549

$1.12 COP 4,067

214.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 COP 3,080

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 ETB 86.4

$0.91 COP 3,305

-39.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.33 COP 8,477

Wine (Bottle)

$6.97 ETB 1,088

$11.13 COP 40.5K

-37.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 ETB 185

$1.19 COP 4,342

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ETB 232

$2.37 COP 8,617

-37.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 37.60

$0.79 COP 2,859

-69.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,138

$41.13 COP 149.6K

-66.69%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 COP 5,223

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 COP 6,952

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.79 ETB 280

$8.02 COP 29.2K

-77.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.75 ETB 273

$0.94 COP 3,410

86.17%

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

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

$17.9K COP 65.2M

194.51%

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

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

$26.8K COP 97.4M

113.72%

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

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

$84.0 COP 305.4K

-23.00%

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

$15.01 ETB 2,343

$9.60 COP 34.9K

56.35%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$321 ETB 50.0K

$24.16 COP 87.9K

1226.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.37 ETB 5,364

$25.88 COP 94.1K

32.81%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.04 COP 69.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.92 COP 14.2K

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

$306 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,919 COP 21.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.9 COP 210.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

$31.82 COP 115.7K

191.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$141 ETB 22.0K

$99.9 COP 363.3K

40.91%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 ETB 17.8K

$107 COP 389.7K

6.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ETB 33.1K

$487 COP 1.8M

-56.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$162 ETB 25.3K

$368 COP 1.3M

-55.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$422 ETB 65.9K

$826 COP 3.0M

-48.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 ETB 50.9K

$716 COP 2.6M

-54.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,341 ETB 365.3K

$2,925 COP 10.6M

-19.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,196 ETB 186.6K

$1,407 COP 5.1M

-15.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$232 ETB 36.2K

$546 COP 2.0M

-57.45%

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $212 in Jimma versus $487 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 135% higher in Medellin. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,545 per month in Jimma and $1,550 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Medellin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

Public transport costs about 200% less in Jimma. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,030, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – 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 Jimma. 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.