πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $708 in Aleppo.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,121 in Aleppo.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,534 in Aleppo.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 43% more expensive than Aleppo, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Aleppo47% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.04SYPΒ 336
97.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$20.16SYPΒ 2,228
63.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$2.54SYPΒ 280
179.13%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.18SYPΒ 131
44.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.35SYPΒ 149
-18.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.56SYPΒ 61.6
39.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$8.43SYPΒ 931
-80.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.28SYPΒ 142
139.84%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$0.98SYPΒ 109
11.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.89SYPΒ 97.8
41.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$3.05SYPΒ 337
-54.75%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.05SYPΒ 226
6.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$4.70SYPΒ 520
-6.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.37SYPΒ 704
-11.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$21.40SYPΒ 2,365
-58.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.40SYPΒ 265
-2.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.47SYPΒ 272
-57.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.29SYPΒ 253
-34.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.69SYPΒ 76.1
100.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.66SYPΒ 73.1
74.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.04SYPΒ 115
11.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.29SYPΒ 31.81
206.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.74SYPΒ 81.9
13.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.18SYPΒ 351
-28.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.01SYPΒ 553
112.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.98SYPΒ 219
-39.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.58SYPΒ 285
-4.26%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.16SYPΒ 17.27
437.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$3.03SYPΒ 335
1266.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$2.76SYPΒ 305
-46.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$2.04SYPΒ 225
-3.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$5.91SYPΒ 653
30.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.33SYPΒ 147
-28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$28.3KSYPΒ 3.1M
-35.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$39.2KSYPΒ 4.3M
-32.49%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$62.1SYPΒ 6,864
32.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$36.18SYPΒ 3,997
-73.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$20.26SYPΒ 2,239
19.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$15.38SYPΒ 1,699
68.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$12.76SYPΒ 1,410
48.90%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.08SYPΒ 341
27.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$68.7SYPΒ 7,586
350.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,198SYPΒ 353.4K
86.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$24.75SYPΒ 2,735
137.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$61.9SYPΒ 6,838
-47.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$114SYPΒ 12.6K
-9.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$119SYPΒ 13.1K
-8.57%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$90.2SYPΒ 9,971
427.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$77.4SYPΒ 8,549
389.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$195SYPΒ 21.5K
330.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$156SYPΒ 17.2K
365.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$802SYPΒ 88.6K
248.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$298SYPΒ 32.9K
306.74%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Aleppo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$62.4SYPΒ 6,893
720.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Aleppo: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $90.2 in Aleppo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 720% 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 $20.00 in Aleppo. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $228, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Aleppo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Aleppo?
Medellin and Aleppo differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $708 including rent). Aleppo is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Aleppo?
Medellin pays 720% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Aleppo?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $90.2 in Aleppo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Aleppo?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $708 in Aleppo β a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Aleppo?
A monthly transit pass in Aleppo runs roughly 1266% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $708 in Aleppo versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Aleppo but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Aleppo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Aleppo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Aleppo?
Expats usually find Aleppo gentler on the wallet β expenses run 43% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.