😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $569 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $867 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $1,166 in Bandar Lampung.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 76% more expensive than in Bandar Lampung, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin25% lower, Bandar Lampung57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$1.70Rp 30.7K
247.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$12.08Rp 218.1K
172.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$3.27Rp 59.0K
127.22%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$1.00Rp 18.1K
65.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$0.36Rp 6,557
205.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$0.26Rp 4,725
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$1.94Rp 35.1K
-11.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$3.27Rp 59.0K
-2.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.22Rp 22.0K
-9.84%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$0.95Rp 17.2K
32.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$0.77Rp 14.0K
79.22%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$1.39Rp 25.1K
56.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$6.62Rp 119.6K
-32.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$2.93Rp 53.0K
97.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$6.20Rp 111.8K
44.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$1.94Rp 35.0K
19.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.09Rp 19.7K
-2.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$1.42Rp 25.6K
7.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$1.42Rp 25.7K
-4.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$1.16Rp 21.0K
-2.59%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$1.69Rp 30.4K
-30.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$0.61Rp 11.0K
47.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$0.42Rp 7,610
114.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$1.83Rp 33.0K
21.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$20.71Rp 373.8K
-41.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$1.56Rp 28.2K
-23.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$3.18Rp 57.4K
-22.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$0.61Rp 11.0K
39.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
$9.68Rp 174.7K
329.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$0.58Rp 10.4K
144.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$0.38Rp 6,783
413.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$3.11Rp 56.2K
153.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.72Rp 13.0K
37.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$24.3KRp 439.4M
-27.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$24.7KRp 446.1M
8.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$42.68Rp 770.5K
94.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$6.78Rp 122.3K
43.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$27.15Rp 490.2K
-13.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$23.25Rp 419.7K
8.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
$9.14Rp 165.0K
108.97%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$2.78Rp 50.2K
42.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$30.23Rp 545.8K
944.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$9,870Rp 178.2M
-39.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$23.07Rp 416.4K
160.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$20.80Rp 375.4K
52.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$21.39Rp 386.2K
375.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$41.21Rp 743.9K
160.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$259Rp 4.7M
83.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$157Rp 2.8M
138.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$588Rp 10.6M
44.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$331Rp 6.0M
117.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$1,151Rp 20.8M
183.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$689Rp 12.4M
108.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$181Rp 3.3M
244.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
9.59
40.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Bandar Lampung: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $259 in Bandar Lampung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 245% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $12.00 in Bandar Lampung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $182 per month, with Bandar Lampung 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 Bandar Lampung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Bandar Lampung?
Bandar Lampung wins on cost – living expenses run 76% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bandar Lampung the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or in Bandar Lampung?
Average pay runs 245% higher in Medellin, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Bandar Lampung?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $259 in Bandar Lampung. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Bandar Lampung?
Dining out is cheaper in Bandar Lampung – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Bandar Lampung?
All in, you'll spend $1,003 per month in Medellin versus $569 in Bandar Lampung – a 76% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Bandar Lampung?
At $569 in Bandar Lampung versus $1,003 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Bandar Lampung but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Bandar Lampung the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Bandar Lampung?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bandar Lampung delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $569 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bandar Lampung hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bandar Lampung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 76% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.