Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and BeratCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Berat
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,161 in Berat, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,734 in Berat, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,307 in Berat, rent included.
πMedellin is about 12% cheaper than Berat, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Berat are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Berat14% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$11.92ALLΒ 974
-50.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$33.35ALLΒ 2,724
-0.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.25ALLΒ 674
-12.36%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.76ALLΒ 143
-7.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.72ALLΒ 141
-36.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.97ALLΒ 79.6
-24.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.66ALLΒ 217
-34.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.59ALLΒ 294
-10.03%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.91ALLΒ 156
-45.03%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.13ALLΒ 92.0
14.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.15ALLΒ 176
-38.60%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.02ALLΒ 247
-24.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.70ALLΒ 874
-59.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$7.72ALLΒ 630
-23.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.89ALLΒ 1,298
-45.81%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.76ALLΒ 144
27.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.40ALLΒ 196
-55.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.57ALLΒ 129
-3.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.38ALLΒ 113
2.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.93ALLΒ 75.7
25.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.15ALLΒ 94.0
1.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.80ALLΒ 65.7
11.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.74ALLΒ 60.5
21.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.25ALLΒ 348
-47.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$11.11ALLΒ 908
-0.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.17ALLΒ 95.3
-2.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.38ALLΒ 112
72.46%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Berat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.34ALLΒ 27.67
147.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$18.86ALLΒ 1,541
122.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$3.46ALLΒ 283
-59.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$3.15ALLΒ 257
-39.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$17.40ALLΒ 1,422
-55.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$2.11ALLΒ 172
-52.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$39.3KALLΒ 3.2M
-55.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$35.7KALLΒ 2.9M
-25.82%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$83.2ALLΒ 6,795
0.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$17.57ALLΒ 1,436
-46.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.78ALLΒ 1,534
28.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$54.5ALLΒ 4,455
-53.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$25.54ALLΒ 2,086
-25.06%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.62ALLΒ 786
-57.38%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$156ALLΒ 12.8K
99.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$1,782ALLΒ 145.6K
236.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$67.5ALLΒ 5,516
-14.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$49.85ALLΒ 4,072
-34.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$106ALLΒ 8,656
-5.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$127ALLΒ 10.4K
-14.80%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Berat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$458ALLΒ 37.5K
5.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$338ALLΒ 27.6K
12.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$600ALLΒ 49.0K
39.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$428ALLΒ 35.0K
68.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,948ALLΒ 159.2K
45.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,325ALLΒ 108.3K
-7.70%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Berat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$483ALLΒ 39.5K
11.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.52
143.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Berat: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $458 in Berat. 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 12% higher in Medellin, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $33.00 in Berat. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $254 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 Berat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berat cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Berat is pricier by about 14%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,741 in Berat. 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Berat?
Groceries cost about 34% more in Berat, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Berat?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Berat at $1,161. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Berat it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Berat 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 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, Berat makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.