πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $662 in Abasha, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,114 in Abasha, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,566 in Abasha, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 53% more than Abasha, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Abasha are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Abasha51% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$10.80βΎ28.69
-44.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$44.08βΎ117
-25.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.18βΎ21.74
-13.33%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$3.13βΎ8.31
-45.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.79βΎ2.11
39.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.42βΎ1.12
85.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$2.17βΎ5.77
-22.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.87βΎ7.64
6.97%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.97βΎ5.25
-44.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.72βΎ1.92
75.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.89βΎ5.01
-26.98%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.57βΎ6.82
-14.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.48βΎ19.87
-41.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.49βΎ17.24
-13.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$9.60βΎ25.52
-7.40%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.21βΎ3.21
93.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.63βΎ4.33
-34.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.84βΎ4.89
-18.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.27βΎ6.04
-39.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.71βΎ1.89
61.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.64βΎ1.69
81.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.22βΎ3.24
-27.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.71βΎ1.89
18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.03βΎ8.06
-24.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.47βΎ19.86
42.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.60βΎ4.25
-25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.22βΎ5.89
11.26%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.42βΎ3.78
3.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.74βΎ1.96
164.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.27βΎ19.33
6.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.10βΎ2.91
-13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$18.0KβΎ47.8K
0.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$20.0KβΎ53.1K
32.52%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$74.5βΎ198
10.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$11.98βΎ31.84
-20.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$17.99βΎ47.81
34.69%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.69βΎ17.77
-41.26%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$269βΎ714
15.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,075βΎ13.5K
17.55%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$75.6βΎ201
-22.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$43.47βΎ116
-25.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$121βΎ321
-14.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$113βΎ300
-4.03%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$354βΎ941
44.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.89
12.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Abasha: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Salaries run about 45% higher in Medellin, 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 $44.00 in Abasha. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $207 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 Abasha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Abasha compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $662 in Abasha β roughly 53% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Abasha?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $993 in Abasha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Abasha?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $662 in Abasha. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Abasha?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $269 in Abasha. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Abasha, where all-in costs run around $662, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Abasha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Abasha?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $662 in Abasha to $1,013 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Abasha 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 Abasha?
If budget matters most, go with Abasha. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.