πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,231 in Aomori.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,931 in Aomori.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $2,630 in Aomori.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 18% less than in Aomori, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Aomori8% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$7.05Β₯1,130
-15.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$35.28Β₯5,655
-6.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$5.40Β₯865
31.30%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,155
$3.11Β₯498
-45.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,950
$1.10Β₯176
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,799
$0.75Β₯120
4.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,037
$2.64Β₯423
-36.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$3.15Β₯505
-2.54%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,931
$1.59Β₯255
-31.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,537
$1.54Β₯247
-18.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$4.72Β₯756
-70.76%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,878
$2.21Β₯354
-0.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$10.11Β₯1,620
-56.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$6.28Β₯1,007
-10.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$15.42Β₯2,472
-42.35%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,403
$5.41Β₯867
-56.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,802
$2.61Β₯419
-59.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,409
$4.07Β₯653
-63.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,956
$6.02Β₯964
-77.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,138
$3.15Β₯505
-63.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,183
$2.64Β₯423
-56.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,203
$1.39Β₯223
-35.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$0.90Β₯144
-6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,198
$4.26Β₯683
-46.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.3K
$8.27Β₯1,326
28.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,312
$1.90Β₯305
-36.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,882
$2.23Β₯357
10.76%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,076
$1.66Β₯266
-48.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
$56.4Β₯9,045
-26.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,298
$3.49Β₯559
-57.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,055
$2.97Β₯477
-34.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$20.58Β₯3,298
-62.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,431
$1.12Β₯179
-15.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$23.5KΒ₯3.8M
-23.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$17.1KΒ₯2.7M
54.72%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.7K
$142Β₯22.7K
-41.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.2K
$27.60Β₯4,424
-65.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$33.71Β₯5,404
-28.12%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$56.2Β₯9,013
-53.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
$13.86Β₯2,221
37.09%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$12.63Β₯2,025
-68.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$278Β₯44.5K
11.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$13.2KΒ₯2.1M
-54.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$42.77Β₯6,856
37.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.3K
$29.97Β₯4,804
7.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.8K
$58.9Β₯9,442
74.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.7K
$92.5Β₯14.8K
17.23%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$461Β₯74.0K
3.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$334Β₯53.6K
13.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$868Β₯139.1K
-3.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$667Β₯106.9K
8.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$4,076Β₯653.4K
-31.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$2,639Β₯423.0K
-54.10%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Aomori
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
1.78
654.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Aomori: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $461 in Aomori. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $35.00 in Aomori for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $318 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 Aomori: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Aomori?
Medellin and Aomori differ by about 22% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $1,231 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Aomori?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $1,847 in Aomori 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Aomori?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $461 in Aomori. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Aomori?
Childcare runs $309 in Medellin versus $278 in Aomori. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Aomori. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,231 in Aomori, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Aomori. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Aomori?
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.
Is Medellin or Aomori safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Aomori are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Aomori?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 22% less than in Aomori. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.