😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $82.4 in Abadan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $104 in Abadan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $126 in Abadan.
😐Living in Medellin is roughly 1154% more expensive than Abadan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Abadan94% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
-
-
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
$41.04TMT 144
-72.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,385
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Abadan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Abadan: April 28, 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
Medellin vs Abadan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abadan cheaper than Medellin?
Abadan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 1154% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,550 in Medellin and $124 in Abadan 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Abadan?
Supermarket bills run roughly 131% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Abadan?
All in, you'll spend $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $82.4 in Abadan – a 1154% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Abadan?
At $82.4 in Abadan versus $1,034 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Abadan but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Abadan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Abadan more family-friendly?
For families, Abadan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Abadan?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Abadan 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Abadan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1154% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.