Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and BangiCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Bangi
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $857 in Bangi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,193 in Bangi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,529 in Bangi.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 19% more expensive than Bangi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Bangi36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$3.28MYRΒ 13.29
81.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$12.71MYRΒ 51.5
162.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.04MYRΒ 12.31
137.83%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.97MYRΒ 12.04
-45.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.78MYRΒ 3.18
39.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.49MYRΒ 1.98
48.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$4.74MYRΒ 19.21
-63.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.64MYRΒ 26.91
-51.36%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.48MYRΒ 6.01
-29.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.69MYRΒ 2.81
86.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$0.60MYRΒ 2.44
120.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.81MYRΒ 7.36
25.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$15.36MYRΒ 62.3
-71.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$2.38MYRΒ 9.66
147.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.24MYRΒ 37.45
-6.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.75MYRΒ 15.20
-40.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.51MYRΒ 6.14
-29.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.55MYRΒ 10.33
-40.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.73MYRΒ 2.95
94.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.48MYRΒ 5.99
-20.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.37MYRΒ 1.48
216.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.33MYRΒ 5.37
-33.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.55MYRΒ 2.23
63.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.28MYRΒ 17.36
-47.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$14.23MYRΒ 57.7
-22.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.79MYRΒ 11.31
-59.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.99MYRΒ 12.12
-20.40%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.68MYRΒ 2.76
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$11.59MYRΒ 47.00
261.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.42MYRΒ 5.77
-0.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.03MYRΒ 4.16
84.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$5.76MYRΒ 23.37
34.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.46MYRΒ 1.88
119.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$35.1KMYRΒ 142.3K
-49.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$38.1KMYRΒ 154.6K
-30.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$45.28MYRΒ 184
84.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.27MYRΒ 37.60
1.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$30.74MYRΒ 125
-21.57%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$37.52MYRΒ 152
-32.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$6.04MYRΒ 24.49
216.89%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.92MYRΒ 19.93
-16.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$190MYRΒ 769
64.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,988MYRΒ 28.3K
-14.24%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$64.8MYRΒ 263
-10.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$18.79MYRΒ 76.2
73.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$73.6MYRΒ 298
35.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$40.64MYRΒ 165
167.08%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$471MYRΒ 1,910
2.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$288MYRΒ 1,170
31.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$515MYRΒ 2,087
62.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$326MYRΒ 1,323
121.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,651MYRΒ 6,696
71.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$882MYRΒ 3,575
38.71%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bangi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,242MYRΒ 5,036
-56.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.07
229.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bangi: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $471 in Bangi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Bangi pays 130% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $13.00 in Bangi. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $224, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Bangi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Bangi?
Bangi wins on cost β living expenses run 19% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bangi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or Bangi?
On paper, Bangi earns 130% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Bangi?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $471 in Bangi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Bangi?
Dining out is cheaper in Bangi β 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 Bangi?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $857 in Bangi β a 19% 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 Bangi?
At $857 in Bangi versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Bangi but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Bangi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Bangi?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bangi delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $857 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bangi hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Bangi?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Bangi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bangi gentler on the wallet β expenses run 19% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.