Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Banjarmasin

For one person, living is cheaper in Banjarmasin: $576 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $12,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Banjarmasin, Indonesia
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Banjarmasin
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$576
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Banjarmasin

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Banjarmasin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $576 in Banjarmasin, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Banjarmasin $576

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $878 in Banjarmasin, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Banjarmasin $878

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $1,180 in Banjarmasin, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Banjarmasin $1,180

Medellin costs about 185% more than Banjarmasin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Banjarmasin is 58% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$1.07 Rp 19.5K
656.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.8K
$13.36 Rp 242.7K
252.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.7K
$3.28 Rp 59.5K
189.63%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,729
$1.22 Rp 22.1K
146.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,806
$0.83 Rp 15.1K
116.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,558
$0.31 Rp 5,570
354.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.2K
$5.10 Rp 92.6K
-37.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.6K
$3.53 Rp 64.2K
62.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,873
$1.29 Rp 23.4K
17.05%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,673
$0.95 Rp 17.2K
150.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,716
$0.81 Rp 14.8K
118.52%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,327
$1.52 Rp 27.7K
90.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$7.35 Rp 133.5K
38.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.9K
$2.04 Rp 37.0K
383.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.1K
$3.20 Rp 58.2K
337.19%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$1.92 Rp 34.8K
106.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,009
$1.16 Rp 21.1K
33.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,044
$0.91 Rp 16.5K
139.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,047
$1.16 Rp 21.1K
87.93%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,333
$1.20 Rp 21.7K
63.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,129
$0.94 Rp 17.1K
69.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,696
$0.80 Rp 14.5K
43.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,012
$0.39 Rp 7,138
217.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$1.92 Rp 34.8K
106.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.2K
$20.44 Rp 371.1K
-33.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,356
$1.60 Rp 29.0K
3.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,286
$3.16 Rp 57.4K
-28.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,769
$0.23 Rp 4,250
408.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.7K
$11.46 Rp 208.1K
575.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,092
$0.50 Rp 8,991
154.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,608
$0.34 Rp 6,180
502.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$3.04 Rp 55.3K
181.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,346
$0.81 Rp 14.7K
66.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.9M
$24.5K Rp 445.7M
38.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.9M
$32.8K Rp 595.2M
5.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.5K
$40.61 Rp 737.6K
317.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$2.73 Rp 49.6K
396.34%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.6K
$17.09 Rp 310.4K
64.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 141.0K
$18.17 Rp 330.0K
140.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.5K
$7.90 Rp 143.5K
117.59%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$5.63 Rp 102.3K
22.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$91.6 Rp 1.7M
769.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$7,191 Rp 130.6M
26.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.4K
$43.57 Rp 791.3K
94.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 187.0K
$27.00 Rp 490.3K
114.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.5K
$52.1 Rp 945.8K
159.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 315.8K
$31.79 Rp 577.4K
207.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$204 Rp 3.7M
493.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$164 Rp 3.0M
291.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$501 Rp 9.1M
304.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$315 Rp 5.7M
221.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.5M
$998 Rp 18.1M
317.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$762 Rp 13.8M
150.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Banjarmasin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$195 Rp 3.5M
237.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
9.46
15.64%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Banjarmasin: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Banjarmasin
$164 74.5% $478
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Banjarmasin
$168 43.4% $129
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Banjarmasin
$60 71.4% $151
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Banjarmasin
$70 58.6% $99
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Banjarmasin
$70 58.9% $99
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Banjarmasin
$15 84.4% $79
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Banjarmasin
$29 48.8% $28

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $204 in Banjarmasin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Medellin are about 3.4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $13 in Banjarmasin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $168 – making Banjarmasin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇮🇩 Banjarmasin
🕒 Local time
00:33 12:33 AM
13:33 1:33 PM
13 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
715,703
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 3,227 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,617 COP (10,000 COP = 2.76 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 18,161 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,355 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.91 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Banjarmasin 18,840 km ≈ 24 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Banjarmasin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Banjarmasin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banjarmasin cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 185%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $864 in Banjarmasin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Banjarmasin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $204 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Banjarmasin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $13 in Banjarmasin. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Banjarmasin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $576 in Banjarmasin. That makes Banjarmasin about 65% cheaper.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Banjarmasin?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Banjarmasin, where all-in costs run around $576, than in Medellin at $1,639. In Banjarmasin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Banjarmasin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Banjarmasin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Banjarmasin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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