πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $609 in Al Mafraq, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,043 in Al Mafraq, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,477 in Al Mafraq, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 67% more than Al Mafraq, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Al Mafraq are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Al Mafraq55% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.21JODΒ 2.98
41.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$48.42JODΒ 34.27
-31.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.22JODΒ 2.99
71.33%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
13.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.34JODΒ 0.24
220.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.61JODΒ 3.97
-68.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.85JODΒ 4.85
-52.85%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.04JODΒ 0.73
0.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.29JODΒ 0.21
344.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.14JODΒ 0.81
15.79%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.26JODΒ 0.89
80.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$5.71JODΒ 4.04
-23.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.57JODΒ 2.53
64.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$4.91JODΒ 3.47
75.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
230.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$0.83JODΒ 0.59
28.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
6.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
294.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.88JODΒ 0.63
32.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.58JODΒ 0.41
101.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.66JODΒ 0.46
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.40JODΒ 0.29
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.33JODΒ 2.36
-32.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$20.83JODΒ 14.74
-47.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$4.79JODΒ 3.39
-76.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$5.44JODΒ 3.85
-56.25%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
133.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
107.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.94JODΒ 4.91
11.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.44JODΒ 1.02
-29.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.0KJODΒ 19.1K
-34.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$32.3KJODΒ 22.8K
-17.85%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$105JODΒ 74.5
-20.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.94JODΒ 11.99
-44.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$28.63JODΒ 20.26
-15.79%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$28.48JODΒ 20.16
-11.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.19JODΒ 7.92
-63.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$70.6JODΒ 49.94
342.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,405JODΒ 3,826
10.88%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$27.78JODΒ 19.66
108.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$48.72JODΒ 34.48
-33.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$112JODΒ 79.4
-11.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$41.57JODΒ 29.42
161.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$70.6JODΒ 49.94
583.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$288JODΒ 204
191.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$141JODΒ 99.4
414.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Al Mafraq
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,055JODΒ 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 β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Al Mafraq: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π 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.
π°Salaries run about 95% higher in Al Mafraq, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $48.00 in Al Mafraq. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $176 in Al Mafraq β 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 β 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 β 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.
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 β 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 β 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.