πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,307 in Acharnes.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,988 in Acharnes.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,670 in Acharnes.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 22% less than in Acharnes, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Acharnes3% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$13.12β¬11.30
-54.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$57.6β¬49.63
-42.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.20β¬7.92
-21.41%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.14β¬3.57
-60.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.63β¬1.41
-33.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.56β¬0.48
30.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.94β¬5.12
-70.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$5.77β¬4.97
-44.02%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.46β¬1.26
-28.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.62β¬1.40
-20.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.20β¬1.90
-40.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.18β¬3.60
-45.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$13.78β¬11.87
-68.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$9.81β¬8.45
-40.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.93β¬11.14
-33.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.28β¬1.96
-1.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.89β¬1.63
-43.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.08β¬0.93
40.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.95β¬1.68
-27.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.12β¬0.97
4.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.27β¬1.09
-7.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.99β¬0.86
-10.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.46β¬0.39
95.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.70β¬4.05
-52.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.34β¬5.46
74.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.68β¬1.45
-32.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.44β¬2.10
-2.46%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.58β¬1.36
-46.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$45.49β¬39.20
-7.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$7.25β¬6.24
-80.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.07β¬0.92
77.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$13.76β¬11.86
-43.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$2.09β¬1.80
-51.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$34.2Kβ¬29.5K
-48.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$29.6Kβ¬25.5K
-10.61%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$143β¬123
-41.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$14.85β¬12.79
-36.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$31.61β¬27.23
-23.73%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$47.91β¬41.28
-47.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$26.70β¬23.01
-28.31%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.62β¬8.29
-57.38%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$516β¬444
-39.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,655β¬4,872
5.98%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$22.84β¬19.68
154.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$38.75β¬33.39
-15.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$70.5β¬60.7
41.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$94.5β¬81.4
14.84%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$487β¬420
-1.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$382β¬330
-0.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$778β¬670
7.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$627β¬541
15.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,721β¬2,345
4.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,150β¬1,853
-43.12%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Acharnes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,012β¬872
-46.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.34
209.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Acharnes: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $487 in Acharnes. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Acharnes pays 87% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $58.0 in Acharnes for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $264 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Acharnes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acharnes cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 29% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Acharnes?
On paper, Acharnes earns 87% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Acharnes?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $487 in Acharnes. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Acharnes?
Supermarket bills run roughly 39% higher in Acharnes. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Acharnes?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $58.0 in Acharnes. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Acharnes?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,307 in Acharnes, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Acharnes. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Acharnes more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Acharnes, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 29% less than in Acharnes. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.