Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and 'ibriCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and 'ibri
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,031 in Medellin versus $841 in 'ibri.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,599 in Medellin versus $1,335 in 'ibri.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,167 in Medellin versus $1,829 in 'ibri.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 23% more expensive than in 'ibri, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, 'ibri37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$2.54OMR 0.98
142.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$25.56OMR 9.84
27.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$6.67OMR 2.57
10.04%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
$3.20OMR 1.23
-46.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$0.64OMR 0.24
64.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$0.27OMR 0.10
185.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
$5.18OMR 1.99
-67.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$11.62OMR 4.47
-72.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$1.20OMR 0.46
-12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$0.81OMR 0.31
60.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$1.73OMR 0.67
-19.08%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$2.39OMR 0.92
-9.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$3.69OMR 1.42
18.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$3.71OMR 1.43
58.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$8.66OMR 3.33
-0.23%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$2.52OMR 0.97
-9.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.40OMR 0.54
-20.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$1.86OMR 0.72
-17.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$0.87OMR 0.34
55.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$1.03OMR 0.39
9.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$0.62OMR 0.24
82.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$0.76OMR 0.29
11.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$0.53OMR 0.20
71.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$5.84OMR 2.25
-59.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$15.30OMR 5.89
-19.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$4.20OMR 1.62
-71.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$7.74OMR 2.98
-67.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,727
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$2.54OMR 0.98
-44.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$0.80OMR 0.31
140.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$10.49OMR 4.04
-26.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$0.62OMR 0.24
59.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$23.1KOMR 8,875
-21.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$22.0KOMR 8,479
20.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$79.1OMR 30.44
2.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$38.92OMR 14.97
-74.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$70.4OMR 27.07
-65.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
$58.0OMR 22.31
-56.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$8.88OMR 3.42
-55.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$193OMR 74.3
57.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$9,723OMR 3,741
-37.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$50.7OMR 19.52
14.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$39.21OMR 15.09
-17.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$78.9OMR 30.34
27.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$87.1OMR 33.51
23.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$206OMR 79.3
131.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$128OMR 49.15
194.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$491OMR 189
71.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$345OMR 133
111.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
$2,972OMR 1,144
-79.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.15
160.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for 'ibri: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $477 in Medellin and $206 in 'ibri. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰'ibri pays 382% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $26.00 in 'ibri. Groceries flip the comparison at $193 vs $206, 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
Medellin vs 'ibri: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in 'ibri?
Medellin and 'ibri differ by about 23% in total monthly costs ($1,031 vs $841 including rent). 'ibri 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 382% lower in 'ibri. 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 Medellin and in 'ibri?
Rent for a central apartment: $477 in Medellin versus $206 in 'ibri. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or 'ibri?
All in, you'll spend $1,031 per month in Medellin versus $841 in 'ibri – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $841 in 'ibri versus $1,031 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in 'ibri but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes 'ibri the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and 'ibri?
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 Medellin or 'ibri safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and 'ibri 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: Medellin or 'ibri?
Expats usually find 'ibri gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.