Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Astana Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Astana

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,014 per month in Medellin vs $898 in Astana, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,596 per month in Medellin vs $1,407 in Astana, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,178 per month in Medellin vs $1,916 in Astana, rent included.

Medellin costs about 13% more than Astana, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Medellin and Astana are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Astana 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.14 COP 22.2K

$8.23 ₸3,868

-25.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.05 COP 119.3K

$29.11 ₸13.7K

13.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.32 COP 26.4K

$5.95 ₸2,797

23.03%

Cappuccino

$1.66 COP 5,987

$2.15 ₸1,009

-22.79%

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

$1.10 COP 3,987

$0.94 ₸442

17.02%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,822

$0.54 ₸252

44.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 COP 6,188

$1.19 ₸559

43.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 COP 11.5K

$2.92 ₸1,371

8.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 COP 4,012

$0.93 ₸439

19.35%

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 COP 4,719

$0.47 ₸221

178.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,980

$1.40 ₸660

-1.43%

Eggs

$2.22 COP 8,009

$1.71 ₸804

29.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.34 COP 15.7K

$9.33 ₸4,386

-53.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.80 COP 20.9K

$4.74 ₸2,229

22.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.98 COP 32.4K

$7.10 ₸3,339

26.48%

Apples (1kg)

$2.26 COP 8,164

$1.32 ₸622

71.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 COP 4,023

$1.83 ₸862

-39.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.46 COP 5,284

$1.98 ₸930

-26.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.37 COP 4,929

$1.95 ₸919

-29.74%

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 COP 4,009

$0.59 ₸276

88.14%

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 COP 4,199

$0.37 ₸176

213.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,211

$1.03 ₸483

-13.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.87 COP 3,124

$0.75 ₸351

16.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.35 COP 8,495

$1.81 ₸850

29.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.86 COP 39.2K

$8.47 ₸3,980

28.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 COP 4,330

$0.99 ₸467

21.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 8,946

$1.65 ₸774

50.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 COP 2,842

$0.21 ₸98.3

276.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.77 COP 147.2K

$14.43 ₸6,785

182.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 5,137

$1.71 ₸804

-16.96%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 COP 6,900

$0.68 ₸318

180.88%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.65 COP 27.6K

$4.39 ₸2,064

74.26%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 COP 3,490

$0.51 ₸238

90.20%

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

$18.1K COP 65.3M

$20.5K ₸9.6M

-11.80%

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

$26.3K COP 95.0M

$25.4K ₸11.9M

3.74%

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

$81.3 COP 293.5K

$54.5 ₸25.6K

49.22%

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

$9.63 COP 34.8K

$8.14 ₸3,826

18.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.36 COP 88.0K

$13.70 ₸6,442

77.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.02 COP 93.9K

$50.0 ₸23.5K

-47.96%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.92 COP 68.3K

$11.30 ₸5,312

67.43%

Cinema Ticket

$3.89 COP 14.0K

$5.20 ₸2,446

-25.19%

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

$304 COP 1.1M

$235 ₸110.3K

29.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,902 COP 21.3M

$4,809 ₸2.3M

22.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.7 COP 211.8K

$56.2 ₸26.4K

4.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.48 COP 117.2K

$34.80 ₸16.4K

-6.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 367.3K

$87.4 ₸41.1K

16.47%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 COP 390.4K

$87.9 ₸41.3K

23.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$474 COP 1.7M

$481 ₸225.9K

-1.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$371 COP 1.3M

$324 ₸152.2K

14.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$848 COP 3.1M

$851 ₸399.9K

-0.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$716 COP 2.6M

$605 ₸284.6K

18.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,871 COP 10.4M

$1,292 ₸607.1K

122.33%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,375 COP 5.0M

$943 ₸443.5K

45.80%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$542 COP 2.0M

$723 ₸339.8K

-25.08%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

16.12

-16.69%

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

Last update for Medellin: April 13, 2026

Last update for Astana: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $474 in Medellin versus $481 in Astana. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 33% higher in Astana, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Medellin versus $29 in Astana. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $176 – making Astana the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Astana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,014 in Medellin, $898 in Astana – roughly 13% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,522 per month in Medellin and $1,346 in Astana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Astana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $304 per month in Medellin and $235 in Astana. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Astana, where all-in costs run around $898, than in Medellin at $1,014. In Astana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $898 in Astana to $1,014 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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 Astana. 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.