πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $682 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,061 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,440 in Az-zarqa', rent included.
πMedellin costs about 49% more than Az-zarqa', driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Az-zarqa' are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Az-zarqa'49% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.27JODΒ 3.02
39.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$25.08JODΒ 17.76
32.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.47JODΒ 3.87
32.18%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.81JODΒ 0.57
101.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.45JODΒ 0.32
142.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$4.17JODΒ 2.95
-58.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.01JODΒ 4.96
-53.92%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.45JODΒ 1.03
-27.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.51JODΒ 0.36
152.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.68JODΒ 1.19
-21.43%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.88JODΒ 1.33
20.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$6.55JODΒ 4.64
-33.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.27JODΒ 3.02
37.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.49JODΒ 6.71
-9.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.61JODΒ 1.14
39.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.33JODΒ 0.94
-19.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.01JODΒ 0.71
50.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
94.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.80JODΒ 0.57
46.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.72JODΒ 0.51
62.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.49JODΒ 0.35
81.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.55JODΒ 0.39
63.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.45JODΒ 2.44
-34.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.90JODΒ 4.89
60.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$4.12JODΒ 2.91
-72.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$4.32JODΒ 3.06
-44.91%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.61JODΒ 0.43
37.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$21.18JODΒ 14.99
98.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.74JODΒ 0.52
90.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.96JODΒ 0.68
97.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.93JODΒ 3.49
57.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.36JODΒ 0.96
-25.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.6KJODΒ 19.5K
-36.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.8KJODΒ 19.7K
-4.72%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$97.6JODΒ 69.1
-14.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.18JODΒ 9.33
-28.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$22.84JODΒ 16.17
5.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$29.63JODΒ 20.97
-14.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$9.34JODΒ 6.61
104.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.97JODΒ 7.06
-58.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$81.8JODΒ 57.9
281.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,796JODΒ 1,979
114.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$22.54JODΒ 15.95
157.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$25.75JODΒ 18.23
26.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$45.18JODΒ 31.98
120.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$56.9JODΒ 40.29
90.66%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$161JODΒ 114
199.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$121JODΒ 85.6
213.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$275JODΒ 195
204.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$230JODΒ 163
214.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$564JODΒ 399
403.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$357JODΒ 253
242.41%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Az-zarqa'
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$503JODΒ 356
7.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Az-zarqa': June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $161 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.
π°Salaries run about 8% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $25.00 in Az-zarqa'. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $183 β 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 Az-zarqa' compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $682 in Az-zarqa' β roughly 49% 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,023 in Az-zarqa'. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β 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 Az-zarqa'?
Public transport costs about 98% 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 $312 per month in Medellin and $81.8 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 $682, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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 $682 in Az-zarqa' to $1,017 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.