πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,420 in Bedzin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,059 in Bedzin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,698 in Bedzin, rent included.
πMedellin is about 29% cheaper than Bedzin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Bedzin is 6% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$10.68zΕΒ 38.95
-43.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$42.26zΕΒ 154
-22.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$7.95zΕΒ 29.00
-10.82%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$3.40zΕΒ 12.42
-49.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$1.98zΕΒ 7.22
-44.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$1.63zΕΒ 5.96
-52.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$3.18zΕΒ 11.61
-47.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.63zΕΒ 13.24
-15.43%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.03zΕΒ 3.76
5.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.31zΕΒ 4.77
-3.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.39zΕΒ 5.07
-0.72%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$3.33zΕΒ 12.14
-34.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.13zΕΒ 33.31
-51.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$5.42zΕΒ 19.78
3.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$11.03zΕΒ 40.23
-19.40%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.03zΕΒ 3.76
127.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.74zΕΒ 6.36
-39.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.71zΕΒ 6.22
-12.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$2.84zΕΒ 10.35
-51.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.97zΕΒ 3.54
18.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$1.12zΕΒ 4.10
3.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.24zΕΒ 4.53
-28.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.51zΕΒ 1.86
64.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$5.17zΕΒ 18.84
-55.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.06zΕΒ 25.73
50.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.12zΕΒ 4.09
7.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$1.67zΕΒ 6.11
47.90%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$1.12zΕΒ 4.08
-23.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$32.66zΕΒ 119
26.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$2.23zΕΒ 8.13
-34.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.77zΕΒ 2.81
154.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$10.99zΕΒ 40.09
-29.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.75zΕΒ 6.38
-45.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$33.7KzΕΒ 123.0K
-46.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$29.6KzΕΒ 108.0K
-10.60%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$276zΕΒ 1,005
-70.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$8.36zΕΒ 30.50
13.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$16.62zΕΒ 60.6
45.79%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$36.89zΕΒ 135
-29.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$19.80zΕΒ 72.2
-4.04%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.90zΕΒ 25.17
-43.04%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$341zΕΒ 1,242
-9.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$8,056zΕΒ 29.4K
-25.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$89.6zΕΒ 327
-34.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$36.15zΕΒ 132
-10.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$80.7zΕΒ 294
27.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$93.6zΕΒ 341
15.89%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$661zΕΒ 2,409
-27.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$502zΕΒ 1,830
-24.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$981zΕΒ 3,578
-14.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$815zΕΒ 2,970
-11.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$2,961zΕΒ 10.8K
-5.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,541zΕΒ 9,266
-52.33%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bedzin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$991zΕΒ 3,613
-48.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.75
98.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Bedzin: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $661 in Bedzin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 94% higher in Bedzin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $42.00 in Bedzin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $206 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Bedzin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedzin cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Bedzin is pricier by about 40%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,129 in Bedzin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Bedzin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,420 in Bedzin. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 27% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Bedzin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Bedzin at $1,420. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bedzin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Bedzin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Bedzin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bedzin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.