Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Al-qabil Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Al-qabil

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $46.33 in Al-qabil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $70.0 in Al-qabil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $94.5 in Al-qabil.

Living in Medellin is roughly 2094% more expensive than Al-qabil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin 24% lower, Al-qabil 97% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95 COPΒ 20.8K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33 COPΒ 116.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.23 COPΒ 25.2K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.63 COPΒ 5,687
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09 COPΒ 3,821
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 COPΒ 2,548
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.74 COPΒ 6,065
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 COPΒ 11.3K
-
-
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 COPΒ 3,662
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.29 COPΒ 4,515
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 COPΒ 4,617
-
-
Eggs
$2.27 COPΒ 7,927
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.35 COPΒ 15.2K
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.88 COPΒ 20.5K
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.61 COPΒ 30.0K
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.25 COPΒ 7,844
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 COPΒ 3,733
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.52 COPΒ 5,322
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 COPΒ 4,964
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.17 COPΒ 4,084
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 COPΒ 4,077
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.89 COPΒ 3,096
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90 COPΒ 3,146
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25 COPΒ 7,837
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$11.04 COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 COPΒ 3,977
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 COPΒ 8,301
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.95 COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 COPΒ 4,912
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 COPΒ 6,634
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.75 COPΒ 27.0K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 COPΒ 3,509
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K COPΒ 61.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K COPΒ 92.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.7 COPΒ 292.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45 COPΒ 33.0K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11 COPΒ 84.1K
-
-
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.31 COPΒ 88.3K
$26.31 OMRΒ 10.13
-3.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14 COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10 COPΒ 14.3K
$10.51 OMRΒ 4.05
-60.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$312 COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,993 COPΒ 20.9M
-
-
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0 COPΒ 202.6K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56 COPΒ 113.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.6 COPΒ 347.7K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 COPΒ 378.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Al-qabil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$379 COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$837 COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$723 COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
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-qabil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$541 COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
0
-

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

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Last update for Al-qabil: June 8, 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-qabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al-qabil cheaper than Medellin?
Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 2094% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $69.5 in Al-qabil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Al-qabil?
At $46.33 in Al-qabil versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al-qabil but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Al-qabil the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Al-qabil more family-friendly?
For families, Al-qabil is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Al-qabil?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Al-qabil are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al-qabil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2094% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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