πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $338 in Brahmanbaria, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $585 in Brahmanbaria, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $831 in Brahmanbaria, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 199% more than Brahmanbaria, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Brahmanbaria are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Brahmanbaria75% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$1.66ΰ§³204
260.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$14.69ΰ§³1,802
123.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.31ΰ§³897
-3.01%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$5.71ΰ§³700
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.01ΰ§³492
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$1.60ΰ§³196
6.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.36ΰ§³43.61
205.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.13ΰ§³15.84
500.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$0.73ΰ§³89.6
49.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.57ΰ§³70.2
121.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$0.65ΰ§³79.3
112.31%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$0.96ΰ§³118
128.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.27ΰ§³1,137
-52.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$1.50ΰ§³184
275.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$7.29ΰ§³894
21.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.17ΰ§³266
7.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$0.97ΰ§³119
9.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.11ΰ§³259
-28.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$0.86ΰ§³106
60.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.48ΰ§³58.7
139.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.88ΰ§³108
31.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.40ΰ§³49.67
122.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.25ΰ§³30.41
236.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$8.67ΰ§³1,064
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.84ΰ§³103
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.50ΰ§³183
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$2.90ΰ§³356
-21.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.22ΰ§³27.03
290.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$10.12ΰ§³1,242
309.09%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$0.84ΰ§³103
75.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.39ΰ§³48.08
402.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$2.40ΰ§³294
222.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.05ΰ§³129
-9.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$32.8Kΰ§³4.0M
-44.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$34.1Kΰ§³4.2M
-22.44%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$22.81ΰ§³2,798
260.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$5.81ΰ§³713
63.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$13.03ΰ§³1,599
85.96%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$13.20ΰ§³1,619
96.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$11.69ΰ§³1,434
62.53%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.19ΰ§³392
23.20%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$29.80ΰ§³3,655
938.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,351ΰ§³165.7K
341.56%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$20.68ΰ§³2,537
183.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$18.70ΰ§³2,293
72.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$52.5ΰ§³6,443
95.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$33.38ΰ§³4,095
224.84%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$69.9ΰ§³8,577
581.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$41.26ΰ§³5,062
818.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$167ΰ§³20.5K
401.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$98.7ΰ§³12.1K
633.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$695ΰ§³85.3K
301.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$440ΰ§³54.0K
175.20%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Brahmanbaria
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.67
15.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Brahmanbaria: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $69.9 in Brahmanbaria. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $15.00 in Brahmanbaria. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $114 β making Brahmanbaria 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 Brahmanbaria: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brahmanbaria cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 199%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $508 in Brahmanbaria. 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 Brahmanbaria, 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 Brahmanbaria?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $338 in Brahmanbaria. 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 309% less in Brahmanbaria. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Brahmanbaria?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Brahmanbaria, where all-in costs run around $338, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Brahmanbaria it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Brahmanbaria more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Brahmanbaria 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 Brahmanbaria. 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.