πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,814 in Albury.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,766 in Albury.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $3,717 in Albury.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 44% less than in Albury, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Albury is 35% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$16.04A$22.35
-62.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$86.7A$121
-62.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$9.92A$13.82
-28.53%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$3.48A$4.85
-50.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$2.65A$3.70
-58.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$2.35A$3.27
-66.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$6.53A$9.10
-74.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$6.44A$8.97
-52.33%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.41A$1.97
-22.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$2.56A$3.57
-50.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.78A$2.49
-22.47%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$4.12A$5.74
-46.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.06A$11.23
-45.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$8.95A$12.48
-37.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$11.62A$16.19
-23.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$3.14A$4.38
-25.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.82A$3.93
-62.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$3.07A$4.28
-51.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$4.88A$6.80
-71.72%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$2.32A$3.23
-50.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.94A$2.70
-40.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$2.12A$2.95
-58.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$1.35A$1.88
-37.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$23.51A$32.77
-90.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$14.85A$20.70
-28.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$4.13A$5.75
-70.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$5.63A$7.85
-56.13%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Albury
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$2.54A$3.53
-66.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$66.0A$91.9
-37.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.29A$4.58
-55.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.72A$2.40
13.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$38.75A$54.0
-80.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.14A$1.58
-16.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$28.3KA$39.5K
-35.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$22.9KA$31.9K
15.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$221A$308
-62.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$29.26A$40.78
-67.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$53.1A$73.9
-54.33%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$49.44A$68.9
-47.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$15.64A$21.79
21.48%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$11.99A$16.71
-67.22%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$1,771A$2,468
-82.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$13.4KA$18.7K
-55.58%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$61.7A$86.0
-4.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$39.77A$55.4
-18.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$89.3A$124
14.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$101A$140
7.84%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Albury
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$810A$1,128
-41.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$616A$858
-38.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,311A$1,827
-36.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$960A$1,337
-24.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Albury
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,682A$5,131
-86.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.29
113.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Albury: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $810 in Albury. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Albury pays 619% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $87.0 in Albury for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $334 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Albury: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Albury?
Medellin wins on cost β living expenses run 79% lower than in Albury. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or Albury?
On paper, Albury earns 619% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Albury?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $810 in Albury. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Albury?
Supermarket bills run roughly 77% higher in Albury. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Albury?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $87.0 in Albury. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Albury?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,814 in Albury, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Albury. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Albury?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,013 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Albury?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Albury 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 79% less than in Albury. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.