Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuala Terengganu and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuala Terengganu and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $696 in Kuala Terengganu versus $1,031 in Medellin.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,142 in Kuala Terengganu versus $1,599 in Medellin.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,588 in Kuala Terengganu versus $2,167 in Medellin.

Living in Kuala Terengganu costs roughly 32% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Kuala Terengganu 48% lower, Medellin 23% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.41 MYR 9.87
$6.16 COP 20.1K
-60.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.12 MYR 90.5
$32.60 COP 106.1K
-32.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.58 MYR 18.72
$7.34 COP 23.9K
-37.60%
Cappuccino
$2.92 MYR 11.96
$1.72 COP 5,600
69.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 MYR 1.96
$1.05 COP 3,420
-54.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 MYR 1.11
$0.77 COP 2,515
-64.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.60 MYR 14.71
$1.69 COP 5,488
113.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.00 MYR 20.45
$3.17 COP 10.3K
57.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 MYR 6.33
$1.05 COP 3,423
47.62%
White Bread (500g)
$0.96 MYR 3.91
$1.30 COP 4,236
-26.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.31 MYR 5.35
$1.40 COP 4,544
-6.43%
Eggs
$2.12 MYR 8.67
$2.16 COP 7,047
-1.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.02 MYR 61.4
$4.39 COP 14.3K
242.14%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.43 MYR 18.12
$5.88 COP 19.1K
-24.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.49 MYR 38.80
$8.64 COP 28.1K
9.84%
Apples (1kg)
$2.90 MYR 11.85
$2.28 COP 7,426
27.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 MYR 6.15
$1.11 COP 3,604
35.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.52 MYR 10.31
$1.53 COP 4,983
64.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 5.82
$1.35 COP 4,410
5.19%
Potato (1kg)
$1.18 MYR 4.82
$1.13 COP 3,674
4.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.27 MYR 5.20
$1.13 COP 3,692
12.39%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 MYR 4.22
$0.85 COP 2,753
21.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 MYR 2.15
$0.91 COP 2,975
-42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.31 MYR 17.61
$2.34 COP 7,630
84.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.63 MYR 76.2
$12.37 COP 40.3K
50.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83 MYR 11.59
$1.20 COP 3,909
135.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02 MYR 12.34
$2.49 COP 8,104
21.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 MYR 3.02
$0.84 COP 2,728
-11.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.55 MYR 47.23
$40.57 COP 132.1K
-71.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.15 MYR 4.72
$1.42 COP 4,623
-19.01%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.98 MYR 4.02
$1.92 COP 6,235
-48.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.96 MYR 24.38
$7.66 COP 24.9K
-22.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.49 MYR 2.02
$0.99 COP 3,223
-50.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9K MYR 142.6K
$18.0K COP 58.7M
93.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.3K MYR 128.1K
$26.6K COP 86.7M
17.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.18 MYR 177
$80.8 COP 263.1K
-46.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.96 MYR 36.63
$9.95 COP 32.4K
-9.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.00 MYR 119
$24.18 COP 78.7K
19.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.41 MYR 153
$25.08 COP 81.7K
49.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.73 MYR 23.45
$19.15 COP 62.3K
-70.08%
Cinema Ticket
$4.85 MYR 19.82
$3.98 COP 13.0K
21.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$187 MYR 763
$305 COP 993.5K
-38.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,827 MYR 27.9K
$6,059 COP 19.7M
12.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.3 MYR 251
$58.1 COP 189.2K
5.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.14 MYR 111
$32.20 COP 104.8K
-15.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.5 MYR 301
$101 COP 327.9K
-27.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.8 MYR 208
$108 COP 350.8K
-52.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$200 MYR 820
$477 COP 1.6M
-57.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$116 MYR 474
$376 COP 1.2M
-69.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$648 MYR 2,651
$845 COP 2.7M
-23.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$273 MYR 1,116
$730 COP 2.4M
-62.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,050 MYR 8,383
$3,215 COP 10.5M
-36.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,138 MYR 4,653
$1,372 COP 4.5M
-17.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuala Terengganu
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$490 MYR 2,003
$617 COP 2.0M
-20.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.07
13.43
-69.69%

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

Last update for Kuala Terengganu: July 12, 2026

Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $200 in Kuala Terengganu and $477 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Medellin pays 26% 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: $22.00 in Kuala Terengganu vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $249 vs $193, 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
Kuala Terengganu vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kuala Terengganu and in Medellin?
Kuala Terengganu and Medellin differ by about 48% in total monthly costs ($696 vs $1,031 including rent). Kuala Terengganu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 26% lower in Medellin. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Kuala Terengganu and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $200 in Kuala Terengganu versus $477 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kuala Terengganu or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $696 per month in Kuala Terengganu versus $1,031 in Medellin – a 48% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kuala Terengganu and in Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Kuala Terengganu runs roughly 251% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $696 in Kuala Terengganu versus $1,031 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kuala Terengganu but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kuala Terengganu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kuala Terengganu 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 Kuala Terengganu or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kuala Terengganu 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: Kuala Terengganu or Medellin?
Expats usually find Kuala Terengganu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 48% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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