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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $609 in Al Mafraq, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,043 in Al Mafraq, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,477 in Al Mafraq, rent included.

Medellin costs about 67% more than Al Mafraq, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Medellin and Al Mafraq are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 24% lower, Al Mafraq 55% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95 COPΒ 20.8K
$4.21 JODΒ 2.98
41.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33 COPΒ 116.3K
$48.42 JODΒ 34.27
-31.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.23 COPΒ 25.2K
$4.22 JODΒ 2.99
71.33%
Cappuccino
$1.63 COPΒ 5,687
$1.43 JODΒ 1.01
13.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09 COPΒ 3,821
$0.34 JODΒ 0.24
220.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 COPΒ 2,548
$0.36 JODΒ 0.26
102.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.74 COPΒ 6,065
$5.61 JODΒ 3.97
-68.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 COPΒ 11.3K
$6.85 JODΒ 4.85
-52.85%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 COPΒ 3,662
$1.04 JODΒ 0.73
0.96%
White Bread (500g)
$1.29 COPΒ 4,515
$0.29 JODΒ 0.21
344.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 COPΒ 4,617
$1.14 JODΒ 0.81
15.79%
Eggs
$2.27 COPΒ 7,927
$1.26 JODΒ 0.89
80.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.35 COPΒ 15.2K
$5.71 JODΒ 4.04
-23.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.88 COPΒ 20.5K
$3.57 JODΒ 2.53
64.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.61 COPΒ 30.0K
$4.91 JODΒ 3.47
75.36%
Apples (1kg)
$2.25 COPΒ 7,844
$0.68 JODΒ 0.48
230.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 COPΒ 3,733
$0.83 JODΒ 0.59
28.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.52 COPΒ 5,322
$1.43 JODΒ 1.01
6.29%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 COPΒ 4,964
$0.36 JODΒ 0.26
294.44%
Potato (1kg)
$1.17 COPΒ 4,084
$0.88 JODΒ 0.63
32.95%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 COPΒ 4,077
$0.58 JODΒ 0.41
101.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.89 COPΒ 3,096
$0.66 JODΒ 0.46
34.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90 COPΒ 3,146
$0.40 JODΒ 0.29
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25 COPΒ 7,837
$3.33 JODΒ 2.36
-32.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.04 COPΒ 38.5K
$20.83 JODΒ 14.74
-47.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 COPΒ 3,977
$4.79 JODΒ 3.39
-76.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 COPΒ 8,301
$5.44 JODΒ 3.85
-56.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 COPΒ 2,916
$0.36 JODΒ 0.26
133.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.95 COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 COPΒ 4,912
$0.68 JODΒ 0.48
107.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 COPΒ 6,634
$1.43 JODΒ 1.01
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.75 COPΒ 27.0K
$6.94 JODΒ 4.91
11.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 COPΒ 3,509
$1.44 JODΒ 1.02
-29.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K COPΒ 61.4M
$27.0K JODΒ 19.1K
-34.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K COPΒ 92.5M
$32.3K JODΒ 22.8K
-17.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.7 COPΒ 292.1K
$105 JODΒ 74.5
-20.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45 COPΒ 33.0K
$16.94 JODΒ 11.99
-44.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11 COPΒ 84.1K
$28.63 JODΒ 20.26
-15.79%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.31 COPΒ 88.3K
$28.48 JODΒ 20.16
-11.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14 COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10 COPΒ 14.3K
$11.19 JODΒ 7.92
-63.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$312 COPΒ 1.1M
$70.6 JODΒ 49.94
342.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,993 COPΒ 20.9M
$5,405 JODΒ 3,826
10.88%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0 COPΒ 202.6K
$27.78 JODΒ 19.66
108.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56 COPΒ 113.6K
$48.72 JODΒ 34.48
-33.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.6 COPΒ 347.7K
$112 JODΒ 79.4
-11.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 COPΒ 378.8K
$41.57 JODΒ 29.42
161.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 COPΒ 1.7M
$70.6 JODΒ 49.94
583.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$379 COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$837 COPΒ 2.9M
$288 JODΒ 204
191.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$723 COPΒ 2.5M
$141 JODΒ 99.4
414.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,840 COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,223 COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$541 COPΒ 1.9M
$1,055 JODΒ 747
-48.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%

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

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Last update for Al Mafraq: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $70.6 in Al Mafraq. 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 95% higher in Al Mafraq, 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 $48.00 in Al Mafraq. Groceries tell a different story – $190 in Medellin vs $176 in Al Mafraq – so Al Mafraq wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Mafraq: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Mafraq cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 67%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $913 in Al Mafraq. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Al Mafraq, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Al Mafraq?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $48.00 in Al Mafraq. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafΓ© pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Al Mafraq?
Groceries cost about 8% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Al Mafraq?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Al Mafraq, where all-in costs run around $609, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Al Mafraq it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Al Mafraq more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Al Mafraq – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Al Mafraq?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Al Mafraq. 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.

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