🙂A single person spends $517 per month in Kandana vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $859 per month in Kandana vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,201 per month in Kandana vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Kandana is about 48% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Kandana and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Kandana61% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.98LKR 1,334
$5.91COP 18.6K
-32.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.03LKR 8,399
$32.96COP 103.8K
-24.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.29LKR 2,781
$7.43COP 23.4K
11.57%
Cappuccino
$2.70LKR 907
$1.65COP 5,207
63.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70LKR 233
$1.10COP 3,468
-36.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40LKR 136
$0.78COP 2,458
-48.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.28LKR 765
$1.72COP 5,412
32.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41LKR 1,146
$3.18COP 10.0K
7.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73LKR 580
$1.10COP 3,474
57.27%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56LKR 189
$1.26COP 3,962
-55.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83LKR 278
$1.38COP 4,349
-39.86%
Eggs
$2.11LKR 707
$2.18COP 6,858
-3.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.95LKR 4,681
$4.49COP 14.1K
210.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.58LKR 1,538
$5.79COP 18.2K
-20.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.15LKR 2,734
$8.97COP 28.2K
-9.14%
Apples(1kg)
$7.39LKR 2,481
$2.32COP 7,308
218.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11LKR 372
$1.06COP 3,352
4.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.95LKR 1,998
$1.52COP 4,774
291.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21LKR 405
$1.36COP 4,270
-11.03%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16LKR 390
$1.13COP 3,552
2.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37LKR 459
$1.17COP 3,689
17.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.15LKR 387
$0.90COP 2,838
27.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56LKR 186
$0.90COP 2,823
-37.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.94LKR 3,335
$2.23COP 7,034
345.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.63LKR 4,237
$12.12COP 38.2K
4.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01LKR 676
$1.19COP 3,743
68.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86LKR 960
$2.48COP 7,815
15.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.85COP 2,687
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.38LKR 128
$1.42COP 4,459
-73.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33LKR 110
$1.95COP 6,141
-83.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.62LKR 207
$7.89COP 24.8K
-92.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25LKR 419
$0.99COP 3,118
26.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2KLKR 9.1M
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
54.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.8KLKR 11.7M
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
29.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.7LKR 20.0K
$83.0COP 261.4K
-28.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.29LKR 1,441
$9.70COP 30.5K
-55.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.35LKR 5,150
$23.52COP 74.1K
-34.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.38LKR 1,133
$3.95COP 12.4K
-14.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.44LKR 12.6K
$316COP 994.2K
-88.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$444LKR 148.9K
$5,975COP 18.8M
-92.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.86LKR 9,350
$60.0COP 188.9K
-53.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.04LKR 6,390
$31.82COP 100.2K
-40.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.2LKR 22.9K
$102COP 320.1K
-32.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.30LKR 12.9K
$107COP 338.3K
-64.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$475COP 1.5M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$374COP 1.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$849COP 2.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$719COP 2.3M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kandana
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$624COP 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.45
13.43
22.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kandana: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Kandana versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $256 in Kandana vs $193 in Medellin – so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Kandana vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Kandana?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 94%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $776 per month in Kandana and $1,504 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Kandana and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $517 in Kandana and $1,003 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $37.44 per month in Kandana and $316 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Kandana or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kandana, where all-in costs run around $517, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Kandana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Kandana or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kandana – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Kandana or 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Kandana. 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.