πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $891 in Buriram, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,455 in Buriram, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,019 in Buriram, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 14% more than Buriram, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Buriram are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Buriram34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.6
96.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$27.92ΰΈΏ909
19.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.10ΰΈΏ264
-10.74%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.24ΰΈΏ40.41
31.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.44ΰΈΏ14.42
147.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.25ΰΈΏ8.12
192.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.81ΰΈΏ59.0
-3.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$4.26ΰΈΏ139
-24.18%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.1
-40.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.69
-3.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.28ΰΈΏ41.69
3.13%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.20ΰΈΏ71.6
3.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$18.11ΰΈΏ590
-75.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.10ΰΈΏ101
89.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.60ΰΈΏ345
-18.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.21ΰΈΏ105
-29.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.20ΰΈΏ39.25
-10.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
-20.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.54ΰΈΏ50.0
-7.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.48ΰΈΏ48.34
-20.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.56
-3.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.99ΰΈΏ32.19
-10.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.48ΰΈΏ15.62
87.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.75ΰΈΏ155
-52.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$16.43ΰΈΏ535
-32.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.72ΰΈΏ56.1
-33.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.76ΰΈΏ89.9
-13.77%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.89ΰΈΏ28.89
-5.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.05ΰΈΏ34.19
34.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.16ΰΈΏ37.76
63.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.17ΰΈΏ201
25.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.29ΰΈΏ41.91
-21.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.5KΰΈΏ895.3K
-36.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.8KΰΈΏ904.3K
-4.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$75.6ΰΈΏ2,463
10.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.45ΰΈΏ438
-29.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.87ΰΈΏ615
27.77%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$49.52ΰΈΏ1,613
-48.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$12.07ΰΈΏ393
58.57%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.93ΰΈΏ226
-40.84%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$304ΰΈΏ9,917
2.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$9,649ΰΈΏ314.3K
-37.89%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$33.07ΰΈΏ1,077
75.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$34.61ΰΈΏ1,127
-5.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$101ΰΈΏ3,286
-1.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$71.7ΰΈΏ2,334
51.44%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$421ΰΈΏ13.7K
14.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$280ΰΈΏ9,115
35.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$818ΰΈΏ26.6K
2.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$654ΰΈΏ21.3K
10.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,278ΰΈΏ74.2K
24.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,366ΰΈΏ44.5K
-10.48%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Buriram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.45
146.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Buriram: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $421 in Buriram. 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 $28.00 in Buriram. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $249 in Buriram 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 Buriram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buriram cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin 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 $1,336 in Buriram. 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 Buriram, 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 Buriram?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $891 in Buriram. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $304 in Buriram. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Buriram?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Buriram, where all-in costs run around $891, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Buriram it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Buriram more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Buriram 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 Buriram?
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 Buriram. 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.