Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Al Kut Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Al Kut

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,641 per month in Medellin vs $391 in Al Kut, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,447 per month in Medellin vs $596 in Al Kut, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,253 per month in Medellin vs $801 in Al Kut, rent included.

Medellin costs about 320% more than Al Kut, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medellin sits 19% above the global median, while Al Kut is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.04 COP 24.9K

$1.83 IQD 2,391

339.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.29 COP 149.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 COP 29.2K

Cappuccino

$2.94 COP 9,105

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

$1.86 COP 5,776

$0.31 IQD 407

500.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 COP 4,511

$0.15 IQD 200

873.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.21 COP 9,953

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.71 COP 17.7K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 COP 4,460

$1.17 IQD 1,526

23.08%

White Bread (500g)

$2.40 COP 7,442

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 COP 5,265

$1.56 IQD 2,043

8.97%

Eggs

$2.89 COP 8,960

$1.55 IQD 2,021

86.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.06 COP 31.2K

$2.24 IQD 2,929

349.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.97 COP 30.9K

$3.57 IQD 4,666

179.27%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.20 COP 44.0K

$9.17 IQD 12.0K

54.85%

Apples (1kg)

$3.98 COP 12.3K

$0.84 IQD 1,095

373.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 COP 4,913

$1.05 IQD 1,375

50.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 COP 6,671

$0.86 IQD 1,121

150.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.30 COP 7,129

$0.52 IQD 679

342.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.00 COP 6,213

$0.46 IQD 604

334.78%

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 COP 4,679

$0.47 IQD 609

221.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 COP 3,727

$0.42 IQD 547

185.71%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 COP 3,974

$0.29 IQD 378

341.38%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 COP 11.9K

$0.98 IQD 1,276

291.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.01 COP 43.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 COP 5,294

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 COP 8,500

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.25 COP 3,861

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$77.9 COP 241.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 COP 4,045

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.17 COP 6,728

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.29 COP 25.7K

$10.07 IQD 13.2K

-17.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 COP 4,202

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

$27.5K COP 85.2M

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

$36.5K COP 113.2M

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

$169 COP 523.0K

$170 IQD 222.3K

-0.73%

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

$13.57 COP 42.1K

$14.95 IQD 19.6K

-9.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.32 COP 87.8K

$25.30 IQD 33.1K

11.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.71 COP 141.7K

$16.82 IQD 22.0K

171.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.22 COP 53.4K

Cinema Ticket

$6.65 COP 20.6K

$4.93 IQD 6,453

34.89%

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

$803 COP 2.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,190 COP 28.5M

$1,393 IQD 1.8M

559.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.4 COP 270.8K

$20.38 IQD 26.7K

328.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.4 COP 184.0K

$25.32 IQD 33.1K

134.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$139 COP 430.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 COP 316.3K

$30.06 IQD 39.3K

239.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,071 COP 3.3M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$653 COP 2.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,925 COP 6.0M

$254 IQD 332.2K

657.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,048 COP 3.2M

$172 IQD 225.0K

509.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,123 COP 12.8M

$1,012 IQD 1.3M

307.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,697 COP 5.3M

$495 IQD 648.0K

242.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$655 COP 2.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.94

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

Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026

Last update for Al Kut: September 6, 2026

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 Kut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,641 in Medellin, $391 in Al Kut – roughly 320% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,462 per month in Medellin and $586 in Al Kut. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,641 in Medellin and $391 in Al Kut. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 200% 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 Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Medellin at $1,641. In Al Kut 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 $391 in Al Kut to $1,641 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. 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.