πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $880 in Atyrau, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,505 in Atyrau, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $2,130 in Atyrau, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 17% more than Atyrau, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and Atyrau are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Atyrau34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$9.02βΈ4,170
-34.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$32.22βΈ14.9K
1.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$6.19βΈ2,864
16.32%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.81βΈ836
-6.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.12βΈ520
-1.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.77βΈ355
-6.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.48βΈ687
12.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$1.88βΈ868
64.89%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.48βΈ686
-28.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.37βΈ172
237.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.58βΈ731
-12.03%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.48βΈ684
52.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$9.10βΈ4,208
-52.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$7.46βΈ3,449
-21.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$7.19βΈ3,324
22.81%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.46βΈ676
53.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$2.39βΈ1,103
-54.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.93βΈ893
-20.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.45βΈ671
-5.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.58βΈ269
94.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.37βΈ170
202.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.14βΈ528
-25.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$1.30βΈ601
-30.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.10βΈ969
10.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$9.22βΈ4,262
20.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.22βΈ566
-2.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.23βΈ570
92.68%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.28βΈ129
182.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$19.32βΈ8,933
112.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.40βΈ645
2.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.25βΈ116
664.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$6.01βΈ2,778
33.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.49βΈ228
91.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$15.8KβΈ7.3M
13.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$23.7KβΈ10.9M
13.23%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$46.89βΈ21.7K
79.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$9.41βΈ4,350
2.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$12.79βΈ5,913
88.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$58.6βΈ27.1K
-55.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$5.40βΈ2,499
-27.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$254βΈ117.6K
20.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$3,045βΈ1.4M
94.35%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$29.31βΈ13.6K
97.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$39.32βΈ18.2K
-19.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$79.5βΈ36.8K
25.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$78.9βΈ36.5K
35.74%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$449βΈ207.5K
8.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$296βΈ136.8K
24.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$975βΈ450.9K
-15.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$786βΈ363.5K
-8.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$913βΈ422.0K
220.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$689βΈ318.5K
104.25%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Atyrau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$695βΈ321.5K
-21.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
30
-55.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Atyrau: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $449 in Atyrau. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 27% higher in Atyrau, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $32.00 in Atyrau. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $203 in Atyrau β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Atyrau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Atyrau compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,034 in Medellin, $880 in Atyrau β roughly 17% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Atyrau?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,321 in Atyrau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Atyrau?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Atyrau, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Atyrau?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $254 in Atyrau. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Atyrau, where all-in costs run around $880, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Atyrau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Atyrau?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $880 in Atyrau to $1,034 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Atyrau safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Atyrau?
If budget matters most, go with Atyrau. 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.