Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and 'ibriCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and 'ibri
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $839 in 'ibri.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,311 in 'ibri.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,783 in 'ibri.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 21% more expensive than 'ibri, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, 'ibri37% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$2.66OMRΒ 1.02
125.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$25.59OMRΒ 9.85
28.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$6.63OMRΒ 2.55
6.94%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$3.11OMRΒ 1.20
-45.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.67OMRΒ 0.26
64.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.25OMRΒ 0.10
212.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$5.32OMRΒ 2.05
-68.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$11.50OMRΒ 4.43
-73.30%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.15OMRΒ 0.44
-5.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$0.80OMRΒ 0.31
57.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.72OMRΒ 0.66
-19.77%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.40OMRΒ 0.93
-8.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$3.83OMRΒ 1.48
14.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$3.73OMRΒ 1.44
50.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$8.58OMRΒ 3.30
3.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$2.57OMRΒ 0.99
-8.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.41OMRΒ 0.54
-24.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.79OMRΒ 0.69
-16.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$0.90OMRΒ 0.34
53.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$1.00OMRΒ 0.39
15.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.57OMRΒ 0.22
103.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$0.77OMRΒ 0.29
15.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.50OMRΒ 0.19
68.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$5.62OMRΒ 2.16
-59.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$15.53OMRΒ 5.98
-31.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$4.26OMRΒ 1.64
-71.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$7.92OMRΒ 3.05
-68.81%
π Getting Around
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$2.55OMRΒ 0.98
-42.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.80OMRΒ 0.31
145.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$10.30OMRΒ 3.97
-24.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$0.61OMRΒ 0.24
55.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$23.1KOMRΒ 8,879
-21.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$21.6KOMRΒ 8,302
22.82%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$79.2OMRΒ 30.50
3.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$38.52OMRΒ 14.83
-75.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$69.6OMRΒ 26.80
-65.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$59.4OMRΒ 22.87
-56.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$9.01OMRΒ 3.47
-56.38%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$193OMRΒ 74.1
60.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$9,783OMRΒ 3,766
-39.02%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$51.2OMRΒ 19.71
14.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$38.98OMRΒ 15.01
-17.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$77.6OMRΒ 29.86
32.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$87.8OMRΒ 33.79
23.54%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$207OMRΒ 79.7
130.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$129OMRΒ 49.52
194.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$491OMRΒ 189
70.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$343OMRΒ 132
111.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
'ibri
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$2,981OMRΒ 1,148
-82.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.15
160.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for 'ibri: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $207 in 'ibri. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°'ibri pays 482% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $26.00 in 'ibri. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 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 'ibri?
Medellin and 'ibri differ by about 21% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $839 including rent). 'ibri is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, 'ibri earns 482% less. 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 'ibri?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $207 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 9% 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 $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $839 in 'ibri β a 21% 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 $839 in 'ibri versus $1,013 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 β 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 β expenses run 21% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.