😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $566 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $877 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $1,187 in Bandar Lampung.
😐Living in Medellin is roughly 83% more expensive than Bandar Lampung, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Bandar Lampung58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
$1.70Rp 29.5K
248.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
$12.52Rp 217.1K
161.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
$3.17Rp 55.0K
127.13%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
$0.94Rp 16.3K
80.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
$0.37Rp 6,337
197.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
$0.26Rp 4,540
176.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
$2.02Rp 35.1K
-17.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
$3.22Rp 55.8K
-3.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
$1.21Rp 21.0K
-12.40%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
$0.89Rp 15.4K
40.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
$0.73Rp 12.6K
90.41%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
$1.37Rp 23.7K
64.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
$6.51Rp 112.9K
-33.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
$3.03Rp 52.5K
92.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
$5.96Rp 103.3K
48.15%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
$1.96Rp 34.0K
14.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
$1.05Rp 18.3K
2.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
$1.34Rp 23.2K
14.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
$1.48Rp 25.6K
-7.43%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
$1.18Rp 20.5K
-4.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
$1.70Rp 29.5K
-34.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
$0.61Rp 10.5K
39.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
$0.43Rp 7,380
111.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
$1.81Rp 31.3K
28.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
$20.13Rp 349.0K
-44.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
$1.50Rp 26.1K
-20.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
$3.07Rp 53.3K
-22.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
$0.60Rp 10.5K
31.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
$9.82Rp 170.2K
318.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
$0.54Rp 9,350
166.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
$0.38Rp 6,544
402.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
$3.13Rp 54.3K
156.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,385
$0.67Rp 11.7K
40.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
$24.2KRp 419.2M
-25.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
$25.0KRp 433.1M
7.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
$43.55Rp 754.8K
92.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
$6.79Rp 117.6K
41.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
$27.45Rp 475.7K
-11.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
$23.19Rp 402.0K
11.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
$9.19Rp 159.3K
107.18%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
$2.79Rp 48.4K
40.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$30.48Rp 528.2K
905.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
$9,916Rp 171.9M
-40.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
$23.70Rp 410.7K
144.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
$21.05Rp 364.9K
51.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
$21.85Rp 378.8K
357.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
$39.94Rp 692.3K
168.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$262Rp 4.5M
85.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$155Rp 2.7M
137.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$577Rp 10.0M
43.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$337Rp 5.8M
112.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$1,212Rp 21.0M
141.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$767Rp 13.3M
83.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bandar Lampung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
$191Rp 3.3M
186.28%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Bandar Lampung: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $262 in Bandar Lampung. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 186% 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 $13.00 in Bandar Lampung for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $179 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 83% 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 186% 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: $487 in Medellin versus $262 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 $13.00 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 $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $566 in Bandar Lampung – a 83% 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 $566 in Bandar Lampung versus $1,034 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 $566 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 83% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.