πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $4,021 in 's-Hertogenbosch, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $5,539 in 's-Hertogenbosch, rent included.
πMedellin is about 60% cheaper than 's-Hertogenbosch, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while 's-Hertogenbosch is 87% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$25.22β¬21.71
-76.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$85.7β¬73.8
-61.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$11.35β¬9.77
-37.53%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$3.92β¬3.37
-56.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$3.31β¬2.85
-66.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$2.95β¬2.54
-73.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$5.67β¬4.88
-70.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$4.29β¬3.70
-28.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.25β¬1.07
-12.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$2.12β¬1.82
-40.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$3.68β¬3.17
-62.50%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$4.77β¬4.10
-54.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$13.80β¬11.88
-68.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$17.12β¬14.74
-67.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$18.06β¬15.55
-50.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.55β¬2.20
-8.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$2.63β¬2.26
-59.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.18β¬1.88
-31.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$4.60β¬3.96
-70.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$2.12β¬1.83
-45.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$2.24β¬1.93
-48.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.31β¬1.13
-32.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.99β¬0.86
-15.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$11.66β¬10.04
-80.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.49β¬6.45
42.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.56β¬1.35
-23.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$3.40β¬2.93
-27.35%
π Getting Around
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$3.18β¬2.74
-72.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$66.1β¬56.9
-37.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$3.58β¬3.08
-58.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$2.08β¬1.79
-5.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$29.96β¬25.80
-74.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$2.21β¬1.90
-57.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$33.0Kβ¬28.4K
-44.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$31.5Kβ¬27.1K
-15.98%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$185β¬159
-55.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$24.13β¬20.78
-60.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$41.11β¬35.40
-41.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$45.09β¬38.82
-42.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$15.69β¬13.51
21.10%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$14.64β¬12.60
-73.16%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$2,383β¬2,052
-87.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$6,815β¬5,868
-12.47%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$75.2β¬64.7
-21.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$58.7β¬50.5
-44.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$114β¬98.2
-10.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$186β¬160
-41.76%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,643β¬1,415
-71.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,222β¬1,053
-69.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,679β¬2,306
-68.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$2,525β¬2,174
-71.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$6,703β¬5,772
-58.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$4,964β¬4,275
-75.60%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
's-Hertogenbosch
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,761β¬3,239
-86.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.46
201.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for 's-Hertogenbosch: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,643 in 's-Hertogenbosch. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 635% higher in 's-Hertogenbosch, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $86.0 in 's-Hertogenbosch. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $366 β making Medellin 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
Medellin vs 's-Hertogenbosch: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and 's-Hertogenbosch compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch β roughly 147% apart. 's-Hertogenbosch costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to 's-Hertogenbosch?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $3,754 in 's-Hertogenbosch. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and 's-Hertogenbosch?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, 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 94% more in 's-Hertogenbosch, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in 's-Hertogenbosch at $2,502. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in 's-Hertogenbosch it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and 's-Hertogenbosch?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or 's-Hertogenbosch 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and 's-Hertogenbosch?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, 's-Hertogenbosch makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.