πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $576 in Adigeni.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,091 in Adigeni.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,606 in Adigeni.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 76% more expensive than Adigeni, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Adigeni57% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$5.38βΎ14.29
11.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$29.79βΎ79.2
10.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.39βΎ16.99
10.95%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.62βΎ6.97
-34.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.71βΎ1.88
54.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.23βΎ0.61
239.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.49βΎ3.95
12.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.48βΎ3.94
107.43%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.76βΎ4.68
-38.07%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.36βΎ0.94
250.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.43βΎ3.80
-3.50%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.80βΎ4.79
21.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$4.66βΎ12.37
-5.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.35βΎ11.57
29.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$7.15βΎ19.00
24.34%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.06βΎ2.81
120.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.41βΎ3.75
-24.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.26βΎ3.34
19.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.31βΎ3.49
5.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.28βΎ0.74
310.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.35βΎ0.93
231.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.34βΎ3.56
-33.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.59βΎ1.57
42.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.00βΎ7.97
-24.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.48βΎ14.55
94.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.27βΎ3.36
-5.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.00βΎ5.32
23.50%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Adigeni
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
$0.76βΎ2.02
93.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.28βΎ0.74
600.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$3.02βΎ8.01
156.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.10βΎ2.94
-13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$14.7KβΎ39.1K
23.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$18.6KβΎ49.3K
42.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$75.1βΎ200
9.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$3.56βΎ9.47
166.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$15.49βΎ41.16
56.42%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$28.84βΎ76.6
-10.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.55βΎ14.75
-29.19%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$242βΎ644
27.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,847βΎ4,909
222.92%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$43.30βΎ115
35.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$25.17βΎ66.9
28.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$48.26βΎ128
112.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$55.1βΎ146
96.72%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$185βΎ491
157.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$108βΎ288
249.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$633βΎ1,683
32.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$559βΎ1,486
29.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Adigeni
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$758βΎ2,013
-32.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12.17
10.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Adigeni: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $185 in Adigeni. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Adigeni pays 48% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $30.00 in Adigeni for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $152 per month, with Adigeni 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 Adigeni: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Adigeni?
Medellin and Adigeni differ by about 76% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $576 including rent). Adigeni 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, Adigeni earns 48% 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 Adigeni?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $185 in Adigeni. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 24% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Adigeni?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $576 in Adigeni β a 76% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $576 in Adigeni versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Adigeni but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Adigeni the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Adigeni?
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 Adigeni safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Adigeni 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 Adigeni?
Expats usually find Adigeni gentler on the wallet β expenses run 76% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.