🙂A single person spends $534 per month in Katunayaka vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $861 per month in Katunayaka vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,187 per month in Katunayaka vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Katunayaka is about 47% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Katunayaka and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Katunayaka60% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Katunayaka
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.12LKR 1,383
$5.91COP 18.6K
-30.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.47LKR 8,546
$32.96COP 103.8K
-22.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.39LKR 2,816
$7.43COP 23.4K
12.92%
Cappuccino
$2.65LKR 890
$1.65COP 5,207
60.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68LKR 229
$1.10COP 3,468
-38.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37LKR 125
$0.78COP 2,458
-52.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.29LKR 768
$1.72COP 5,412
33.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32LKR 1,115
$3.18COP 10.0K
4.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Katunayaka
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70LKR 572
$1.10COP 3,474
54.55%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52LKR 173
$1.26COP 3,962
-58.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80LKR 269
$1.38COP 4,349
-42.03%
Eggs
$2.14LKR 718
$2.18COP 6,858
-1.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.03LKR 4,708
$4.49COP 14.1K
212.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.74LKR 1,589
$5.79COP 18.2K
-18.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.87LKR 2,640
$8.97COP 28.2K
-12.26%
Apples(1kg)
$7.47LKR 2,506
$2.32COP 7,308
221.98%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10LKR 370
$1.06COP 3,352
3.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.74LKR 1,926
$1.52COP 4,774
277.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.25LKR 419
$1.36COP 4,270
-8.09%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15LKR 385
$1.13COP 3,552
1.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.42LKR 476
$1.17COP 3,689
21.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19LKR 399
$0.90COP 2,838
32.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60LKR 200
$0.90COP 2,823
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.97LKR 3,347
$2.23COP 7,034
347.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.74LKR 4,276
$12.12COP 38.2K
5.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.03LKR 682
$1.19COP 3,743
70.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92LKR 980
$2.48COP 7,815
17.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Katunayaka
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)
$0.39LKR 130
$1.42COP 4,459
-72.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.36LKR 120
$1.95COP 6,141
-81.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.57LKR 192
$7.89COP 24.8K
-92.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26LKR 423
$0.99COP 3,118
27.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1KLKR 9.1M
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
53.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0KLKR 11.8M
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
30.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Katunayaka
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.1LKR 20.2K
$83.0COP 261.4K
-27.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.25LKR 1,428
$9.70COP 30.5K
-56.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.86LKR 4,987
$23.52COP 74.1K
-36.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Katunayaka
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.27LKR 1,097
$3.95COP 12.4K
-17.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Katunayaka
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)
$448LKR 150.2K
$5,975COP 18.8M
-92.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Katunayaka
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.75LKR 9,311
$60.0COP 188.9K
-53.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.66LKR 6,597
$31.82COP 100.2K
-38.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.3LKR 23.6K
$102COP 320.1K
-30.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.11LKR 12.8K
$107COP 338.3K
-64.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Katunayaka
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
Katunayaka
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 Katunayaka: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Katunayaka versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $256 in Katunayaka 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
Katunayaka vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Katunayaka?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 88%, 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 $801 per month in Katunayaka 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 Katunayaka and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $534 in Katunayaka 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 Katunayaka 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 Katunayaka or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Katunayaka, where all-in costs run around $534, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Katunayaka it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Katunayaka or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Katunayaka – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Katunayaka. 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.
Katunayaka vs other spots: cost of living compared