😐A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $645 in Abasha, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $1,096 in Abasha, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $1,547 in Abasha, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 60% more than Abasha, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Medellin and Abasha are more affordable than the global median – Medellin23% lower, Abasha52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$10.87₾28.50
-43.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$43.40₾114
-24.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$8.31₾21.80
-11.67%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
$2.98₾7.81
-42.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$0.80₾2.10
31.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$0.45₾1.18
71.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
$2.25₾5.91
-24.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$2.98₾7.80
6.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$1.92₾5.04
-45.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$0.72₾1.88
80.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$1.87₾4.90
-25.13%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$2.54₾6.66
-14.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$7.79₾20.44
-43.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$6.18₾16.20
-4.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$9.70₾25.44
-10.93%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$1.16₾3.04
96.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.58₾4.15
-29.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$1.80₾4.71
-15.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$2.31₾6.05
-41.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$0.71₾1.86
59.15%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$0.65₾1.70
73.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$1.19₾3.12
-28.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$0.66₾1.73
37.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$2.94₾7.72
-20.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$7.38₾19.36
67.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$1.52₾3.99
-21.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$2.32₾6.09
7.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Abasha
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
$1.44₾3.78
-1.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$0.69₾1.82
178.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$7.10₾18.61
7.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$1.11₾2.90
-10.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$18.1K₾47.3K
-0.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$20.0K₾52.4K
33.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$71.9₾188
12.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$11.71₾30.72
-15.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$18.11₾47.49
33.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$6.46₾16.94
-38.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$267₾701
14.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$5,147₾13.5K
17.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$75.0₾197
-22.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$44.64₾117
-27.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$117₾307
-13.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$112₾295
-4.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Abasha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
$356₾935
73.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.89
12.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Abasha: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 73% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $43.00 in Abasha. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $205 – 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 in Abasha compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,031 in Medellin, $645 in Abasha – roughly 60% 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 $1,546 per month in Medellin and $967 in Abasha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Abasha?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,031 in Medellin and $645 in Abasha. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Abasha?
Kindergarten costs $305 per month in Medellin and $267 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 $645, than in Medellin at $1,031. 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 $645 in Abasha to $1,031 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 – 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.