πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $673 in Ait Melloul.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,062 in Ait Melloul.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,450 in Ait Melloul.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 51% more expensive than Ait Melloul, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Ait Melloul50% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 21.4K
$4.42MADΒ 40.86
34.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 119.6K
$25.47MADΒ 236
30.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 26.0K
$7.11MADΒ 65.7
1.69%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,848
$2.13MADΒ 19.68
-23.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,929
$0.63MADΒ 5.80
73.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,621
$0.33MADΒ 3.02
121.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,237
$3.78MADΒ 34.96
-53.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.6K
$3.70MADΒ 34.19
-12.70%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,766
$0.94MADΒ 8.73
11.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,643
$0.50MADΒ 4.60
158.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,748
$1.63MADΒ 15.08
-19.02%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 8,152
$1.88MADΒ 17.43
20.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.6K
$9.50MADΒ 87.9
-54.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 21.1K
$5.08MADΒ 46.96
15.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.9K
$11.13MADΒ 103
-22.64%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 8,066
$1.43MADΒ 13.20
57.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,839
$1.27MADΒ 11.76
-15.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,473
$0.90MADΒ 8.36
68.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 5,105
$0.83MADΒ 7.65
71.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,199
$0.74MADΒ 6.83
58.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,193
$0.79MADΒ 7.33
48.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,183
$0.39MADΒ 3.61
128.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,235
$0.63MADΒ 5.86
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 8,059
$4.04MADΒ 37.40
-44.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 39.6K
$7.13MADΒ 65.9
54.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 4,089
$2.71MADΒ 25.07
-57.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,537
$2.92MADΒ 27.05
-18.49%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,998
$0.51MADΒ 4.70
64.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 150.6K
$16.18MADΒ 150
159.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 5,051
$0.67MADΒ 6.22
110.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,823
$0.52MADΒ 4.85
265.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.8K
$5.40MADΒ 49.97
43.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,608
$1.59MADΒ 14.71
-36.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 63.1M
$36.9KMADΒ 341.3K
-52.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.1M
$20.4KMADΒ 189.0K
29.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 300.3K
$28.46MADΒ 263
194.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.9K
$10.82MADΒ 100
-12.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 86.5K
$28.00MADΒ 259
-13.89%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 90.8K
$24.12MADΒ 223
4.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 68.7K
$22.92MADΒ 212
-16.49%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.7K
$6.76MADΒ 62.5
-39.35%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$75.7MADΒ 701
311.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 21.5M
$1,959MADΒ 18.1K
205.99%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 208.3K
$43.21MADΒ 400
34.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 116.9K
$39.80MADΒ 368
-18.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 357.6K
$47.57MADΒ 440
109.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 389.6K
$47.11MADΒ 436
130.40%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$280MADΒ 2,588
72.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$174MADΒ 1,612
117.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 3.0M
$513MADΒ 4,747
63.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.6M
$311MADΒ 2,873
132.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 10.2M
$1,591MADΒ 14.7K
78.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.4M
$947MADΒ 8,763
29.11%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ait Melloul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$376MADΒ 3,481
43.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.75
182.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Ait Melloul: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $280 in Ait Melloul. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 44% 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 $25.00 in Ait Melloul for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $185 per month, with Ait Melloul 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 Ait Melloul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ait Melloul cheaper than Medellin?
Ait Melloul is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 51% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Ait Melloul?
Medellin pays 44% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Ait Melloul?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $280 in Ait Melloul. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $75.7 in Ait Melloul. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Ait Melloul?
Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Ait Melloul?
At $673 in Ait Melloul versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Ait Melloul but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Ait Melloul the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Ait Melloul more family-friendly?
For families, Ait Melloul is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Ait Melloul?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Ait Melloul are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Ait Melloul gentler on the wallet β expenses run 51% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.