πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,088 in Adapazari.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,660 in Adapazari.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,232 in Adapazari.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 7% less than in Adapazari, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Adapazari19% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.42βΊ343
-19.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$26.77βΊ1,238
24.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.46βΊ345
-3.08%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.24βΊ150
-49.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.37βΊ63.3
-20.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.54βΊ24.99
35.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$4.81βΊ222
-63.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.39βΊ295
-49.45%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.79βΊ36.36
32.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.78βΊ36.08
65.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.79βΊ129
-52.69%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.92βΊ89.0
18.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.72βΊ357
-43.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.65βΊ169
61.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.48βΊ716
-44.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.55βΊ71.9
45.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.72βΊ126
-60.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.91βΊ41.88
67.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.25βΊ57.7
13.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.53βΊ24.35
120.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.59βΊ27.23
98.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.85βΊ39.39
4.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.57βΊ26.44
57.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.22βΊ103
1.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$13.76βΊ637
-19.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.63βΊ122
-56.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$3.45βΊ160
-31.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.63βΊ29.11
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$31.07βΊ1,437
35.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.14βΊ99.0
-34.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.60βΊ27.82
216.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.41βΊ343
4.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.20βΊ55.6
-15.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$46.8KβΊ2.2M
-62.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$48.2KβΊ2.2M
-45.07%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$40.87βΊ1,891
104.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$14.83βΊ686
-36.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$11.57βΊ535
108.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$34.34βΊ1,589
-26.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$12.64βΊ585
51.42%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.76βΊ220
-13.87%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$669βΊ30.9K
-53.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,800βΊ360.9K
-23.17%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$52.1βΊ2,412
11.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$74.9βΊ3,466
-56.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$113βΊ5,208
-11.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$90.6βΊ4,189
19.87%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$507βΊ23.5K
-4.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$395βΊ18.3K
-3.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$878βΊ40.6K
-4.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$723βΊ33.4K
0.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,307βΊ60.5K
117.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$734βΊ34.0K
66.66%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Adapazari
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$973βΊ45.0K
-44.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
36.83
-63.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Adapazari: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $507 in Adapazari. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Adapazari pays 80% 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 $27.00 in Adapazari. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $217, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Adapazari: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Adapazari?
Medellin and Adapazari differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $1,088 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Adapazari earns 80% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Adapazari?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $507 in Adapazari. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $27.00 in Adapazari. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Adapazari?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,088 in Adapazari β a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,088 in Adapazari, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Adapazari. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Adapazari?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Adapazari safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Adapazari are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Adapazari?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 7% less than in Adapazari. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.