Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and AL Kharj Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and AL Kharj

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $947 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,491 in AL Kharj, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $2,036 in AL Kharj, rent included.

Medellin costs about 6% more than AL Kharj, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Medellin and AL Kharj are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, AL Kharj 29% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.6K

$6.58 SAR 24.71

-10.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 103.8K

$26.48 SAR 99.5

24.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.4K

$8.04 SAR 30.18

-7.59%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 SAR 6.61

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.32 SAR 4.94

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,207

$2.47 SAR 9.27

-33.20%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,468

$0.79 SAR 2.97

39.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,458

$0.12 SAR 0.44

550.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,412

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,474

$1.70 SAR 6.40

-35.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 3,962

$0.26 SAR 0.96

384.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,349

$2.34 SAR 8.80

-41.03%

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,858

$2.05 SAR 7.69

6.34%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.1K

$8.32 SAR 31.23

-46.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.2K

$5.12 SAR 19.21

13.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.2K

$13.34 SAR 50.1

-32.76%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,308

$2.04 SAR 7.64

13.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,352

$1.21 SAR 4.54

-12.40%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,774

$0.88 SAR 3.32

72.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,270

$1.37 SAR 5.13

-0.73%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,552

$0.89 SAR 3.36

26.97%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,689

$0.91 SAR 3.41

28.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,838

$0.78 SAR 2.95

15.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,823

$0.55 SAR 2.08

63.64%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.15 SAR 8.09

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 SAR 5.04

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 SAR 8.70

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,034

$6.52 SAR 24.47

-65.80%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,743

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,815

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,687

$1.06 SAR 3.98

-19.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 131.0K

$39.80 SAR 149

4.57%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,459

$2.63 SAR 9.88

-46.01%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,141

$0.52 SAR 1.95

275.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 24.8K

$13.41 SAR 50.4

-41.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,118

$0.62 SAR 2.34

59.68%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 55.4M

$35.0K SAR 131.3K

-49.66%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 84.4M

$23.7K SAR 88.9K

13.23%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$83.0 COP 261.4K

$106 SAR 398

-21.64%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.70 COP 30.5K

$26.41 SAR 99.2

-63.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 74.1K

$50.1 SAR 188

-53.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 79.5K

$66.9 SAR 251

-62.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.1K

$39.65 SAR 149

-51.83%

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.4K

$16.07 SAR 60.3

-75.42%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$316 COP 994.2K

$179 SAR 672

76.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.8M

$3,742 SAR 14.1K

59.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 188.9K

$58.9 SAR 221

1.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 100.2K

$53.8 SAR 202

-40.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 320.1K

$53.4 SAR 200

90.57%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 338.3K

$80.0 SAR 300

34.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

$644 SAR 2,420

-26.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

$230 SAR 863

62.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

$480 SAR 1,803

76.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

$498 SAR 1,868

44.59%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

$2,809 SAR 10.6K

-77.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

5.31

152.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Last update for AL Kharj: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $644 in AL Kharj. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 350% higher in AL Kharj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $26.00 in AL Kharj. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $170 – making AL Kharj 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 Kharj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $947 in AL Kharj – roughly 6% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,420 in AL Kharj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in AL Kharj, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $316 per month in Medellin and $179 in AL Kharj. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 14% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in AL Kharj, where all-in costs run around $947, than in Medellin at $1,003. In AL Kharj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $947 in AL Kharj to $1,003 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with AL Kharj. 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.