πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $223 in Matrah versus $1,017 in Medellin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $364 in Matrah versus $1,602 in Medellin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $506 in Matrah versus $2,188 in Medellin.
πLiving in Matrah costs roughly 78% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Matrah83% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-
π Groceries & Markets
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.52OMRΒ 0.97
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
140.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.02OMRΒ 0.39
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
-20.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.67OMRΒ 1.03
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
102.27%
Eggs
$4.63OMRΒ 1.78
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
103.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.84OMRΒ 1.86
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
11.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.11OMRΒ 1.97
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
-13.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.65OMRΒ 2.95
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
-11.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.31OMRΒ 0.50
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
-41.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80OMRΒ 0.69
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
68.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.38OMRΒ 0.91
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
56.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.24OMRΒ 0.48
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
-12.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.07OMRΒ 0.41
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
-8.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02OMRΒ 0.39
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
-12.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.50OMRΒ 0.19
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
-43.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.04OMRΒ 1.56
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
254.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$15.49OMRΒ 5.96
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
550.84%
π Getting Around
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-
π Accommodation & Living
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Matrah
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Matrah: June 9, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
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
Matrah vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Matrah or Medellin?
Matrah wins on cost β living expenses run 356% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Matrah the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Matrah vs Medellin?
You'd need roughly $334 in Matrah and $1,525 in Medellin to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Are groceries more expensive in Matrah or Medellin?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 16% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Matrah compared to Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $223 per month in Matrah versus $1,017 in Medellin β a 356% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Matrah or Medellin?
At $223 in Matrah versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Matrah but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Matrah the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Matrah or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Matrah delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $223 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Matrah hard to pass up.
How safe is Matrah compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Matrah 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Matrah gentler on the wallet β expenses run 356% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.