Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Amwaj Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Amwaj

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $633 in Amwaj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,926 in Amwaj, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,218 in Amwaj, rent included.

Medellin costs about 60% more than Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and Amwaj are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 24% lower, Amwaj 53% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.99 COP 21.4K

$5.41 BHD 2.04

10.72%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.86 COP 117.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.09 COP 25.3K

$9.10 BHD 3.43

-22.09%

Cappuccino

$1.71 COP 6,115

$2.69 BHD 1.01

-36.43%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,924

$1.05 BHD 0.40

4.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,781

$0.64 BHD 0.24

21.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.68 COP 5,997

$8.06 BHD 3.04

-79.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 COP 11.0K

$10.44 BHD 3.94

-70.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 COP 3,906

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 4,508

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,922

Eggs

$2.19 COP 7,827

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 COP 15.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.63 COP 20.1K

$10.18 BHD 3.84

-44.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.89 COP 31.8K

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 COP 8,349

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,777

Oranges (1kg)

$1.50 COP 5,374

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,924

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 COP 4,111

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 COP 4,155

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,182

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 COP 2,997

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.28 COP 8,145

$5.26 BHD 1.98

-56.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.64 COP 38.0K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 COP 4,284

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 COP 8,824

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.86 COP 3,056

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.40 COP 147.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 COP 5,264

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 COP 7,009

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.74 COP 27.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 COP 3,409

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.1K COP 64.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K COP 94.6M

$36.6K BHD 13.8K

-27.64%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$82.3 COP 293.7K

$160 BHD 60.2

-48.45%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.50 COP 33.9K

$26.99 BHD 10.17

-64.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.23 COP 86.5K

$67.5 BHD 25.46

-64.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.89 COP 92.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.00 COP 67.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.93 COP 14.0K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$309 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,965 COP 21.3M

$13.1K BHD 4,925

-54.34%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.7 COP 209.5K

$65.3 BHD 24.63

-10.20%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.35 COP 115.5K

$65.9 BHD 24.86

-50.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 COP 366.4K

$94.0 BHD 35.44

9.14%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 COP 387.2K

$117 BHD 44.18

-7.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$476 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$838 COP 3.0M

$2,377 BHD 896

-64.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$724 COP 2.6M

$2,135 BHD 805

-66.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,791 COP 10.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,211 COP 4.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$512 COP 1.8M

$3,939 BHD 1,485

-87.01%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

5.75

133.57%

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

Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026

Last update for Amwaj: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 670% higher in Amwaj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Amwaj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Medellin costs about 60% more than Amwaj, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $949 in Amwaj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $633 in Amwaj. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 270% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Amwaj, where all-in costs run around $633, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Amwaj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Amwaj costs $633 versus $1,013 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Amwaj. 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.