πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $927 in BeΔej.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,394 in BeΔej.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,861 in BeΔej.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 10% more expensive than BeΔej, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, BeΔej31% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.04RSDΒ 712
-15.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$34.45RSDΒ 3,484
-3.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.67RSDΒ 978
-25.23%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.21RSDΒ 122
34.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.45RSDΒ 146
-24.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.82RSDΒ 82.9
-10.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.51RSDΒ 153
15.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.95RSDΒ 197
65.64%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.94RSDΒ 95.4
11.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.93RSDΒ 94.2
38.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.52RSDΒ 154
-13.16%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.15RSDΒ 218
5.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.49RSDΒ 960
-54.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$7.11RSDΒ 719
-17.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.53RSDΒ 761
14.34%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.02RSDΒ 104
120.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.87RSDΒ 189
-42.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.54RSDΒ 156
-1.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.00RSDΒ 202
-29.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.71RSDΒ 71.9
64.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.36RSDΒ 36.70
225.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.66RSDΒ 67.2
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.61RSDΒ 62.1
47.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.03RSDΒ 408
-44.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$3.98RSDΒ 403
177.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.71RSDΒ 71.4
60.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.01RSDΒ 102
135.64%
π Getting Around
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.93RSDΒ 94.0
-9.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$27.49RSDΒ 2,780
52.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.91RSDΒ 194
-26.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.69RSDΒ 70.2
175.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$9.94RSDΒ 1,005
-22.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.89RSDΒ 191
-46.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$30.6KRSDΒ 3.1M
-42.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.2KRSDΒ 2.7M
-2.49%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$63.3RSDΒ 6,403
32.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$10.16RSDΒ 1,028
-6.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$24.05RSDΒ 2,432
0.25%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$30.68RSDΒ 3,103
-17.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.77RSDΒ 1,696
14.13%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$7.99RSDΒ 808
-48.69%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$457RSDΒ 46.2K
-31.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,019RSDΒ 507.6K
19.40%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$99.3RSDΒ 10.0K
-41.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$41.68RSDΒ 4,215
-21.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$64.5RSDΒ 6,519
54.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$116RSDΒ 11.8K
-6.82%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$372RSDΒ 37.6K
29.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$302RSDΒ 30.5K
25.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$568RSDΒ 57.4K
47.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$409RSDΒ 41.3K
77.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,138RSDΒ 216.2K
32.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,428RSDΒ 144.5K
-14.37%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
BeΔej
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$541RSDΒ 54.7K
-0.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.59
140.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for BeΔej: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $372 in BeΔej. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°BeΔej pays 0% 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 $34.00 in BeΔej. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $179, with BeΔej 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 BeΔej: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeΔej cheaper than Medellin?
BeΔej is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Getting Around. The 10% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or BeΔej?
On paper, BeΔej earns 0% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and BeΔej?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $372 in BeΔej. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs BeΔej?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $927 in BeΔej β a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in BeΔej runs roughly 53% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or BeΔej?
At $927 in BeΔej versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in BeΔej but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes BeΔej the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or BeΔej more family-friendly?
For families, BeΔej is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or BeΔej?
Safety-wise, Medellin and BeΔej 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find BeΔej gentler on the wallet β expenses run 10% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.