πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $932 in Al Jubayhah, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,457 in Al Jubayhah, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,981 in Al Jubayhah, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 9% more than Al Jubayhah, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Al Jubayhah are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Al Jubayhah30% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$7.24JODΒ 5.12
-17.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$48.88JODΒ 34.59
-32.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.08JODΒ 5.01
0.14%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$4.08JODΒ 2.89
-58.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.47JODΒ 0.33
134.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.38JODΒ 0.27
105.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$5.68JODΒ 4.02
-70.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$7.19JODΒ 5.09
-57.30%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.42JODΒ 1.01
-23.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.54JODΒ 0.38
133.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.63JODΒ 1.16
-15.34%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.45JODΒ 1.74
-10.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.75JODΒ 4.78
-34.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.19JODΒ 2.96
34.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$11.30JODΒ 8.00
-21.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.99JODΒ 1.41
17.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.79JODΒ 1.26
-40.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.42JODΒ 1.00
5.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.81JODΒ 0.57
70.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.88JODΒ 0.62
30.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.74JODΒ 0.52
56.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.60JODΒ 0.42
48.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.64JODΒ 0.45
31.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.32JODΒ 2.35
-31.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$21.31JODΒ 15.08
-50.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$4.73JODΒ 3.35
-74.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$5.32JODΒ 3.77
-53.57%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
17.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.72JODΒ 0.51
104.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
37.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.98JODΒ 4.94
10.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.44JODΒ 1.02
-34.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.4KJODΒ 19.4K
-33.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$32.2KJODΒ 22.8K
-17.86%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$105JODΒ 74.4
-21.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$16.78JODΒ 11.87
-43.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$31.29JODΒ 22.14
-22.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$11.19JODΒ 7.92
-64.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$270JODΒ 191
14.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,317JODΒ 3,763
12.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$61.4JODΒ 43.44
-4.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$55.8JODΒ 39.50
-42.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$116JODΒ 82.0
-11.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$80.7JODΒ 57.1
34.45%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$278JODΒ 197
71.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$214JODΒ 151
77.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$401JODΒ 284
109.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$353JODΒ 249
105.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Al Jubayhah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Al Jubayhah: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $278 in Al Jubayhah. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $49.00 in Al Jubayhah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $233 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Al Jubayhah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
Medellin costs about 9% more than Al Jubayhah, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Al Jubayhah?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,398 in Al Jubayhah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Al Jubayhah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Al Jubayhah?
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
Interestingly, groceries are about 23% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Jubayhah, where all-in costs run around $932, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Al Jubayhah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Al Jubayhah costs $932 versus $1,013 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to Al Jubayhah?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Medellin or Al Jubayhah?
If budget matters most, go with Al Jubayhah. 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.