😐A single person spends $1,687 per month in Medellin vs $713 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,535 per month in Medellin vs $1,077 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,383 per month in Medellin vs $1,441 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 137% more than Az-zarqa', driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Medellin sits 23% above the global median, while Az-zarqa' is 48% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89COP 24.2K
$4.25JOD 3.01
85.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53COP 136.5K
$24.91JOD 17.64
78.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.29COP 28.5K
$5.71JOD 4.04
62.70%
Cappuccino
$2.90COP 8,874
$0.84JOD 0.60
245.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81COP 5,541
$0.43JOD 0.31
320.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55COP 4,741
$0.35JOD 0.25
342.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25COP 9,962
$4.11JOD 2.91
-20.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88COP 18.0K
$11.12JOD 7.87
-47.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,230
$1.40JOD 0.99
-1.43%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45COP 7,517
$0.41JOD 0.29
497.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,617
$1.57JOD 1.11
-3.82%
Eggs
$2.78COP 8,516
$1.87JOD 1.32
48.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05COP 27.7K
$5.03JOD 3.56
79.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65COP 32.6K
$5.30JOD 3.75
100.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.63COP 44.8K
$8.57JOD 6.07
70.71%
Apples(1kg)
$3.97COP 12.2K
$1.53JOD 1.08
159.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,219
$1.32JOD 0.94
4.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,056
$1.19JOD 0.84
93.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02COP 6,185
$0.59JOD 0.42
242.37%
Potato(1kg)
$2.09COP 6,390
$0.79JOD 0.56
164.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.63COP 4,996
$0.80JOD 0.56
103.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08COP 3,313
$0.62JOD 0.44
74.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25COP 3,843
$0.51JOD 0.36
145.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03COP 12.4K
$3.71JOD 2.63
8.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47COP 41.3K
$6.91JOD 4.89
94.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60COP 4,904
$4.26JOD 3.02
-62.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00COP 9,189
$4.33JOD 3.06
-30.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,611
$0.64JOD 0.46
84.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$79.9COP 244.9K
$21.00JOD 14.87
280.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.61COP 4,920
$0.63JOD 0.45
155.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13COP 6,533
$1.44JOD 1.02
47.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.52COP 26.1K
$5.07JOD 3.59
68.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35COP 4,142
$1.44JOD 1.02
-6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
$17.0KJOD 12.0K
67.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
$22.5KJOD 16.0K
58.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151COP 463.8K
$129JOD 91.2
17.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10COP 40.1K
$12.90JOD 9.13
1.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30COP 99.0K
$27.92JOD 19.76
15.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.33COP 141.9K
$28.32JOD 20.05
63.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26COP 52.9K
$14.32JOD 10.14
20.53%
Cinema Ticket
$6.43COP 19.7K
$9.78JOD 6.92
-34.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835COP 2.6M
$214JOD 151
290.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,887COP 27.2M
$4,176JOD 2,957
112.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3COP 273.7K
$20.92JOD 14.81
327.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3COP 169.5K
$13.87JOD 9.82
298.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$137COP 418.5K
$44.60JOD 31.58
206.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 335.1K
$39.38JOD 27.88
177.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$952COP 2.9M
$163JOD 115
485.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$668COP 2.0M
$123JOD 86.9
444.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,020COP 6.2M
$312JOD 221
547.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,148COP 3.5M
$247JOD 175
364.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,696COP 11.3M
$561JOD 397
558.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,586COP 4.9M
$359JOD 254
341.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$625COP 1.9M
$509JOD 360
22.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.43
6.81
53.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Last update for Az-zarqa': August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $952 in Medellin versus $163 in Az-zarqa'. 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 23% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Medellin versus $25.00 in Az-zarqa'. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $179 – making Az-zarqa' 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 Az-zarqa': Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Az-zarqa' compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,687 in Medellin, $713 in Az-zarqa' – roughly 137% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Az-zarqa'?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,530 per month in Medellin and $1,069 in Az-zarqa'. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Az-zarqa'?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Az-zarqa', especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and in Az-zarqa'?
Public transport costs about 281% less in Az-zarqa'. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Az-zarqa'?
Kindergarten costs $835 per month in Medellin and $214 in Az-zarqa'. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Az-zarqa', where all-in costs run around $713, than in Medellin at $1,687. In Az-zarqa' 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 Az-zarqa'?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $713 in Az-zarqa' to $1,687 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Az-zarqa'?
If budget matters most, go with Az-zarqa'. 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.