🙂A single person spends $573 per month in Magelang vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $882 per month in Magelang vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,192 per month in Magelang vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Magelang is about 43% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Magelang and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Magelang57% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.50Rp 27.1K
$5.91COP 18.6K
-74.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.49Rp 171.3K
$32.96COP 103.8K
-71.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.85Rp 51.5K
$7.43COP 23.4K
-61.64%
Cappuccino
$0.87Rp 15.8K
$1.65COP 5,207
-47.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,872
$1.10COP 3,468
-65.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20Rp 3,637
$0.78COP 2,458
-74.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.50Rp 27.1K
$1.72COP 5,412
-12.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98Rp 53.8K
$3.18COP 10.0K
-6.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14Rp 20.7K
$1.10COP 3,474
3.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22Rp 22.0K
$1.26COP 3,962
-3.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83Rp 15.0K
$1.38COP 4,349
-39.86%
Eggs
$1.45Rp 26.1K
$2.18COP 6,858
-33.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.17Rp 129.5K
$4.49COP 14.1K
59.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.51Rp 45.2K
$5.79COP 18.2K
-56.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.75Rp 140.0K
$8.97COP 28.2K
-13.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19Rp 39.5K
$2.32COP 7,308
-5.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.3K
$1.06COP 3,352
21.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39Rp 25.1K
$1.52COP 4,774
-8.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.4K
$1.36COP 4,270
-25.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.07Rp 19.3K
$1.13COP 3,552
-5.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.44Rp 26.0K
$1.17COP 3,689
23.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85Rp 15.3K
$0.90COP 2,838
-5.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37Rp 6,630
$0.90COP 2,823
-58.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48Rp 44.7K
$2.23COP 7,034
11.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.35Rp 295.2K
$12.12COP 38.2K
34.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70Rp 30.6K
$1.19COP 3,743
42.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29Rp 41.3K
$2.48COP 7,815
-7.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,402
$0.85COP 2,687
-64.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.04Rp 181.2K
$41.62COP 131.0K
-75.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,994
$1.42COP 4,459
-69.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,661
$1.95COP 6,141
-84.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.51Rp 45.3K
$7.89COP 24.8K
-68.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.8K
$0.99COP 3,118
-22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1KRp 507.0M
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
59.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1KRp 579.3M
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
19.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.7Rp 914.5K
$83.0COP 261.4K
-38.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.20Rp 75.8K
$9.70COP 30.5K
-56.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.83Rp 357.9K
$23.52COP 74.1K
-15.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.27Rp 275.6K
$25.26COP 79.5K
-39.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.93Rp 71.0K
$19.10COP 60.1K
-79.42%
Cinema Ticket
$2.73Rp 49.3K
$3.95COP 12.4K
-30.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.98Rp 902.3K
$316COP 994.2K
-84.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,352Rp 78.6M
$5,975COP 18.8M
-27.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.29Rp 384.3K
$60.0COP 188.9K
-64.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.69Rp 391.6K
$31.82COP 100.2K
-31.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.7Rp 1.1M
$102COP 320.1K
-37.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.6Rp 1.0M
$107COP 338.3K
-46.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.7M
$475COP 1.5M
-44.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$155Rp 2.8M
$374COP 1.2M
-58.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$579Rp 10.4M
$849COP 2.7M
-31.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$330Rp 6.0M
$719COP 2.3M
-54.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,132Rp 20.4M
$3,265COP 10.3M
-65.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$682Rp 12.3M
$1,441COP 4.5M
-52.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magelang
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$171Rp 3.1M
$624COP 2.0M
-72.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.33
13.43
-37.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Magelang: July 27, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $262 in Magelang versus $475 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 266% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Magelang versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $179 vs $193 – making Magelang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Magelang vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Magelang and in Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $573 in Magelang, $1,003 in Medellin – roughly 75% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Magelang compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $860 per month in Magelang and $1,504 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Magelang and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Magelang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 8% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Magelang and $33.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Magelang, where all-in costs run around $573, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Magelang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Magelang and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $573 in Magelang to $1,003 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Magelang or Medellin safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Magelang and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Magelang. 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.