πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $732 in Berkane, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,146 in Berkane, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,561 in Berkane, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 39% more than Berkane, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Berkane are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Berkane46% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.21MADΒ 38.98
41.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$23.29MADΒ 215
43.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.75MADΒ 62.4
7.11%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.66MADΒ 15.33
-1.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.59MADΒ 5.42
84.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.32MADΒ 3.00
128.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.94MADΒ 36.48
-55.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.67MADΒ 33.98
-11.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.82MADΒ 7.61
28.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.53MADΒ 4.87
143.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.76MADΒ 16.26
-25.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.92MADΒ 17.74
18.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.96MADΒ 92.2
-56.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.07MADΒ 56.2
-3.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.96MADΒ 101
-21.44%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.36MADΒ 12.57
65.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.29MADΒ 11.95
-17.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.83MADΒ 7.65
83.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.78MADΒ 7.24
82.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.68MADΒ 6.27
72.06%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.76MADΒ 7.05
53.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.39MADΒ 3.65
128.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.59MADΒ 5.50
52.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.12MADΒ 38.11
-45.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.34MADΒ 77.2
32.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.59MADΒ 23.93
-55.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.75MADΒ 25.42
-13.45%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.51MADΒ 4.73
64.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$16.58MADΒ 153
153.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.62MADΒ 5.75
127.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.48MADΒ 4.41
295.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.37MADΒ 40.41
77.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.60MADΒ 14.84
-36.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$36.7KMADΒ 339.9K
-52.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$29.3KMADΒ 271.0K
-9.55%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$35.81MADΒ 331
133.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$11.11MADΒ 103
-14.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$40.24MADΒ 372
-40.08%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$24.23MADΒ 224
4.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$23.04MADΒ 213
-16.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.40MADΒ 59.2
-35.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$106MADΒ 983
193.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,551MADΒ 32.9K
68.76%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$38.87MADΒ 360
49.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$40.55MADΒ 375
-19.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$86.9MADΒ 804
14.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$70.1MADΒ 648
54.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$283MADΒ 2,621
70.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$173MADΒ 1,603
119.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$498MADΒ 4,608
68.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$308MADΒ 2,848
134.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,480MADΒ 13.7K
91.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$914MADΒ 8,453
33.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Berkane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$279MADΒ 2,583
93.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.78
180.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Berkane: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $283 in Berkane. 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 Medellin, 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 $23.00 in Berkane. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $190 in Berkane β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Berkane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkane cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 39%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,097 in Berkane. 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 Berkane, 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 Berkane?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $732 in Berkane. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Berkane?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Berkane, where all-in costs run around $732, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Berkane it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Berkane more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Berkane 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 Berkane?
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 Berkane. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.