πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,069 in Birzeit.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,782 in Birzeit.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,495 in Birzeit.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 5% less than in Birzeit, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Birzeit20% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$9.38βͺ27.36
-36.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$49.69βͺ145
-32.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.94βͺ28.98
-27.26%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.58βͺ7.52
-36.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.79βͺ2.30
37.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.57βͺ1.65
28.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.54βͺ16.16
-68.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$5.45βͺ15.88
-40.73%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$2.17βͺ6.34
-51.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.11βͺ3.24
16.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.56βͺ7.47
-48.44%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.01βͺ11.69
-43.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.02βͺ20.47
-38.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$8.44βͺ24.60
-30.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$17.39βͺ50.7
-50.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.26βͺ6.59
-0.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.78βͺ5.20
-39.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.26βͺ3.67
20.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.98βͺ5.77
-28.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.06βͺ3.09
10.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.40βͺ4.08
-16.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.40βͺ4.07
-36.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.81βͺ2.35
11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$8.20βͺ23.92
-72.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.66βͺ7.75
-57.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.42βͺ7.06
-1.65%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$2.19βͺ6.37
-61.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$68.8βͺ201
-39.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.84βͺ8.27
-50.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$14.07βͺ41.03
-44.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.90βͺ5.55
-46.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$39.4Kβͺ114.8K
-55.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$46.5Kβͺ135.5K
-42.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$65.9βͺ192
27.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.97βͺ40.73
-32.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$20.36βͺ59.4
18.42%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$76.3βͺ223
-66.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$17.99βͺ52.5
6.39%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.26βͺ27.00
-55.72%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$125βͺ366
148.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,600βͺ7,583
130.46%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$50.7βͺ148
14.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$38.44βͺ112
-15.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$78.2βͺ228
27.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$63.8βͺ186
70.26%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$346βͺ1,008
39.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$274βͺ799
38.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$679βͺ1,980
23.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$587βͺ1,711
23.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Birzeit
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.62
138.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Birzeit: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $346 in Birzeit. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $50.0 in Birzeit for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $251 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Birzeit: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birzeit cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $1,603 in Birzeit to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Birzeit?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $346 in Birzeit. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Birzeit?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,069 in Birzeit β a 5% 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 Medellin runs roughly 64% less than in Birzeit. 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 Birzeit?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,069 in Birzeit, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Birzeit. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Birzeit more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Birzeit, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 5% less than in Birzeit. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.