Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Abovyan

For one person, living is cheaper in Abovyan: $817 a month against $1,625 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $9,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Abovyan
🇦🇲 Armenia
$817
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Abovyan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Abovyan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $817 in Abovyan, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Abovyan $817

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $1,343 in Abovyan, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Abovyan $1,343

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $1,870 in Abovyan, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Abovyan $1,870

Medellin costs about 99% more than Abovyan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Abovyan is 40% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.3K
$11.14 ֏4,032
-25.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 148.7K
$51.5 ֏18.6K
-8.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.3K
$10.37 ֏3,753
-10.90%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,676
$3.79 ֏1,371
-19.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,707
$1.15 ֏418
56.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,382
$0.72 ֏261
91.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.3K
$2.69 ֏975
20.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.6K
$3.55 ֏1,284
56.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,760
$1.62 ֏587
-7.41%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,508
$0.97 ֏350
144.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,377
$2.11 ֏764
-19.43%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,379
$2.80 ֏1,013
5.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.4K
$8.35 ֏3,022
22.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.9K
$7.48 ֏2,706
30.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 44.1K
$13.94 ֏5,043
-0.29%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.1K
$1.47 ֏530
180.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,839
$1.75 ֏633
-12.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 7,052
$1.98 ֏715
12.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,194
$2.48 ֏899
-8.47%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,311
$0.67 ֏243
197.01%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,285
$0.68 ֏246
145.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,742
$0.96 ֏348
22.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,919
$0.71 ֏259
74.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.3K
$2.82 ֏1,022
37.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.7K
$9.58 ֏3,467
43.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,256
$1.49 ֏539
11.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,615
$2.01 ֏726
19.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,944
$0.57 ֏207
117.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 248.0K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,044
$1.35 ֏489
-5.19%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,803
$0.59 ֏215
264.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.5K
$12.91 ֏4,670
-35.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,288
$1.48 ֏535
-8.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 110.2M
$34.7K ֏12.6M
0.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 110.0M
$33.8K ֏12.2M
2.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 528.4K
$124 ֏44.9K
34.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 43.2K
$9.03 ֏3,269
50.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 92.3K
$24.50 ֏8,866
18.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 143.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 22.1K
$8.37 ֏3,028
-16.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$365 ֏132.1K
116.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.7M
$10.2K ֏3.7M
-11.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 278.4K
$104 ֏37.6K
-15.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 184.4K
$56.8 ֏20.5K
2.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 440.7K
$138 ֏49.8K
0.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 313.5K
$165 ֏59.6K
-39.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 6.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Abovyan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
$984 ֏356.0K
-32.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
13.54
-19.20%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Abovyan: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Abovyan
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Abovyan
$234 21.3% $64
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Abovyan
$157 24.8% $52
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Abovyan
$208 20.6% $36
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Abovyan
$194 13.4% $23
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Abovyan
$6.6 * 93.1% $89
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Abovyan
$17 * 71.6% $42

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 48% higher in Abovyan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin versus $52.0 in Abovyan. Groceries tell a different story – $298 in Medellin vs $234 in Abovyan – so Abovyan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇦🇲 Abovyan
🕒 Local time
19:21 7:21 PM
04:21 4:21 AM
9 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
60,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

AMD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

Armenian Dram exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 362 AMD (1,000 AMD = 2.76 USD). 1 EUR = 407 AMD (1,000 AMD = 2.46 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Abovyan 12,020 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Abovyan

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Abovyan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abovyan cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 99%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $1,226 in Abovyan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Abovyan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin and $52.0 in Abovyan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Abovyan?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Abovyan?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Abovyan, where all-in costs run around $817, than in Medellin at $1,625. In Abovyan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Abovyan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Abovyan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Abovyan?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Abovyan. 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.

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