😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $564 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $880 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,197 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Living in Medellin is roughly 80% more expensive than Bandar Lampung, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Bandar Lampung58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COP 20.8K
$1.76Rp 31.4K
238.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COP 116.3K
$12.46Rp 223.3K
167.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COP 25.2K
$3.31Rp 59.2K
118.43%
Cappuccino
$1.63COP 5,687
$0.97Rp 17.4K
68.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COP 3,821
$0.34Rp 6,006
220.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COP 2,548
$0.26Rp 4,690
180.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COP 6,065
$1.95Rp 34.9K
-10.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COP 11.3K
$3.14Rp 56.2K
2.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,662
$1.22Rp 21.8K
-13.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COP 4,515
$0.88Rp 15.8K
46.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COP 4,617
$0.74Rp 13.2K
78.38%
Eggs
$2.27COP 7,927
$1.41Rp 25.2K
60.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COP 15.2K
$6.32Rp 113.2K
-31.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 20.5K
$2.96Rp 53.1K
98.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COP 30.0K
$6.12Rp 109.7K
40.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,844
$1.88Rp 33.8K
19.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COP 3,733
$1.10Rp 19.8K
-2.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 5,322
$1.41Rp 25.2K
7.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COP 4,964
$1.42Rp 25.4K
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COP 4,084
$1.18Rp 21.2K
-0.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 4,077
$1.67Rp 29.9K
-29.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COP 3,096
$0.61Rp 10.9K
45.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 3,146
$0.45Rp 8,074
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COP 7,837
$1.89Rp 33.8K
19.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COP 38.5K
$20.64Rp 369.8K
-46.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COP 3,977
$1.59Rp 28.4K
-28.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COP 8,301
$3.12Rp 55.9K
-23.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,916
$0.55Rp 9,891
52.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COP 146.4K
$9.66Rp 173.1K
334.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COP 4,912
$0.54Rp 9,652
161.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COP 6,634
$0.34Rp 6,168
458.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COP 27.0K
$3.09Rp 55.3K
150.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COP 3,509
$0.66Rp 11.8K
53.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 61.4M
$24.3KRp 436.2M
-27.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOP 92.5M
$25.0KRp 448.8M
5.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COP 292.1K
$42.38Rp 759.3K
97.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COP 33.0K
$6.54Rp 117.2K
44.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COP 84.1K
$27.49Rp 492.6K
-12.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COP 88.3K
$23.47Rp 420.4K
7.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COP 66.8K
$9.47Rp 169.7K
102.11%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COP 14.3K
$2.79Rp 49.9K
46.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COP 1.1M
$31.05Rp 556.3K
904.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COP 20.9M
$9,601Rp 172.0M
-37.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COP 202.6K
$23.67Rp 424.0K
145.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COP 113.6K
$20.49Rp 367.0K
58.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COP 347.7K
$21.68Rp 388.4K
359.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 378.8K
$39.93Rp 715.4K
171.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COP 1.7M
$257Rp 4.6M
87.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COP 1.3M
$159Rp 2.8M
139.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COP 2.9M
$585Rp 10.5M
43.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COP 2.5M
$339Rp 6.1M
113.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COP 9.9M
$1,164Rp 20.9M
144.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COP 4.3M
$684Rp 12.3M
78.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COP 1.9M
$182Rp 3.3M
196.63%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bandar Lampung: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $257 in Bandar Lampung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 197% 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 $190 vs $181 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 80% 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 Bandar Lampung?
Medellin pays 197% more on average, 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 vs Bandar Lampung?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $257 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 vs 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 $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $564 in Bandar Lampung – a 80% 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 Bandar Lampung?
At $564 in Bandar Lampung versus $1,017 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 $564 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 80% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.