Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Manzini and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Manzini: $362 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $15,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Manzini, Eswatini
Medellin, Colombia
Manzini
🇸🇿 Eswatini
$362
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Manzini and in Medellin

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Manzini and in Medellin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $362 per month in Manzini vs $1,639 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Manzini $362
  • Medellin $1,639

A couple spends around $386 per month in Manzini vs $2,413 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Manzini $386
  • Medellin $2,413

A family of three spends $410 per month in Manzini vs $3,186 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Manzini $410
  • Medellin $3,186

Manzini is about 78% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Manzini sits 73% below the global median, while Medellin is 20% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$8.09 COP 25.6K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$47.05 COP 148.9K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.50 COP 30.1K
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.01 COP 9,540
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.80 COP 5,693
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.41 COP 4,469
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.18 COP 10.0K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.75 COP 18.2K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 SZL 20.97
$1.51 COP 4,778
-16.56%
White Bread (500g)
$0.95 SZL 15.72
$2.38 COP 7,524
-60.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.84 SZL 30.53
$1.77 COP 5,606
3.95%
Eggs
$1.18 SZL 19.59
$2.89 COP 9,146
-59.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.29 SZL 121
$10.19 COP 32.2K
-28.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.96 SZL 49.17
$9.87 COP 31.2K
-70.01%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$1.85 SZL 30.75
$13.99 COP 44.3K
-86.78%
Apples (1kg)
$1.37 SZL 22.79
$3.97 COP 12.6K
-65.49%
Banana (1kg)
$0.62 SZL 10.21
$1.55 COP 4,911
-60.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.74 SZL 12.33
$2.18 COP 6,907
-66.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.50 SZL 8.25
$2.18 COP 6,910
-77.06%
Potato (1kg)
$0.57 SZL 9.50
$1.96 COP 6,210
-70.92%
Onion (1kg)
$0.47 SZL 7.79
$1.59 COP 5,029
-70.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.44 SZL 7.28
$1.15 COP 3,625
-61.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 SZL 11.29
$1.24 COP 3,934
-45.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.08 SZL 51.0
$3.96 COP 12.5K
-22.22%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.24 SZL 53.7
$13.68 COP 43.3K
-76.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 SZL 9.59
$1.66 COP 5,252
-65.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 SZL 12.61
$2.26 COP 7,145
-66.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.59 SZL 9.72
$1.17 COP 3,696
-49.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$77.4 COP 244.8K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.27 COP 4,013
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$2.05 COP 6,480
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$8.55 COP 27.1K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 SZL 21.72
$1.35 COP 4,262
-2.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.0K SZL 281.3K
$34.1K COP 107.8M
-50.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.8K SZL 262.5K
$34.7K COP 109.7M
-54.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.6 SZL 1,205
$170 COP 536.8K
-57.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.79 SZL 196
$13.55 COP 42.9K
-12.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.60 SZL 491
$28.07 COP 88.8K
5.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$43.70 COP 138.3K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.19 COP 54.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.71 SZL 61.5
$6.91 COP 21.9K
-46.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$797 COP 2.5M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,112 COP 28.8M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$84.7 COP 268.1K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$58.0 COP 183.4K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$135 COP 427.1K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$97.9 COP 309.7K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$182 SZL 3,022
$1,208 COP 3.8M
-84.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$122 SZL 2,031
$642 COP 2.0M
-80.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,028 COP 6.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,012 COP 3.2M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,170 COP 13.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,910 COP 6.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manzini
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$490 SZL 8,136
$657 COP 2.1M
-25.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10
10.94
-8.59%

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

Last update for Manzini: October 24, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Manzini
–
Medellin
$642
Groceries & Markets
Manzini
–
Medellin
$297
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manzini
–
Medellin
$211
Eating Out
Manzini
–
Medellin
$170
Clothing & Footwear
Manzini
–
Medellin
$169
Getting Around
Manzini
–
Medellin
$94
Sport & Entertainment
Manzini
–
Medellin
$58

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $182 in Manzini versus $1,208 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 34% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know
🇸🇿 Manzini
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
08:51 8:51 AM
01:51 1:51 AM
7 h behind Manzini
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
110,508
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to SZL – Eswatini Lilangeni Converter

Eswatini Lilangeni exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 16.59 SZL (100 SZL = 6.03 USD). 1 EUR = 18.47 SZL (100 SZL = 5.41 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3,164 COP (10,000 COP = 3.16 USD). 1 EUR = 3,523 COP (10,000 COP = 2.84 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Manzini Medellin 12,010 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Manzini
  • Medellin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Manzini vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manzini or Medellin?
Medellin costs about 353% more than Manzini, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Manzini and in Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $543 per month in Manzini and $2,459 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Manzini or Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Manzini, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $182 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
How much does it cost to live in Manzini compared to Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $362 in Manzini and $1,639 in Medellin. That makes Manzini about 78% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Manzini or in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 156% more in Medellin, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Manzini or in Medellin?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Manzini, where all-in costs run around $362, than in Medellin at $1,639. In Manzini it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Manzini or Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $362 in Manzini to $1,639 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Manzini or to Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Manzini. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Manzini vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?