πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,478 in Bjelovar.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,304 in Bjelovar.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $3,131 in Bjelovar.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 31% less than in Bjelovar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Bjelovar is 10% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$12.82β¬11.05
-53.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$68.5β¬59.0
-51.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.52β¬9.07
-31.27%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.23β¬1.92
-26.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$3.58β¬3.09
-69.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.17β¬1.87
-66.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$4.29β¬3.70
-59.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$4.83β¬4.16
-33.13%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.20β¬1.03
-12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.57β¬1.35
-17.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.97β¬3.42
-66.75%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.53β¬3.04
-35.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$16.11β¬13.88
-73.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$11.10β¬9.56
-47.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$14.41β¬12.42
-40.25%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.60β¬1.38
40.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.67β¬1.44
-35.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.73β¬1.49
-12.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.50β¬2.15
-43.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.24β¬1.07
-5.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.27β¬1.09
-7.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.09β¬0.94
-18.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.22β¬1.05
-26.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$5.86β¬5.05
-61.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.06β¬6.95
36.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.60β¬1.37
-28.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.03β¬1.75
17.24%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.78β¬1.53
-52.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$43.24β¬37.26
-2.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$3.02β¬2.60
-53.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.37β¬1.18
38.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$9.11β¬7.85
-14.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.63β¬1.40
-38.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$38.5Kβ¬33.2K
-54.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$26.5Kβ¬22.9K
-0.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$190β¬164
-56.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$22.15β¬19.08
-57.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$32.66β¬28.14
-26.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$52.5β¬45.27
-51.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$14.58β¬12.56
31.28%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.17β¬7.90
-55.29%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$294β¬253
6.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$8,148β¬7,020
-26.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$57.4β¬49.43
1.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$34.62β¬29.83
-5.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$100β¬86.2
-0.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$104β¬89.7
4.28%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$658β¬567
-26.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$457β¬394
-16.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,049β¬904
-20.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$788β¬679
-8.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,720β¬3,205
-23.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$3,450β¬2,973
-64.55%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bjelovar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.63
190.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bjelovar: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $658 in Bjelovar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $69.0 in Bjelovar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $296 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 Bjelovar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Bjelovar?
Medellin and Bjelovar differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $1,478 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Bjelovar?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $2,217 in Bjelovar 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Bjelovar?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $658 in Bjelovar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $69.0 in Bjelovar. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Bjelovar?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,478 in Bjelovar β a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,478 in Bjelovar, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Bjelovar. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Bjelovar?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Bjelovar safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Bjelovar are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Bjelovar?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 45% less than in Bjelovar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.