πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $998 in Byblos.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $1,589 in Byblos.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $2,180 in Byblos.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 4% more expensive than Byblos, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Byblos25% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$8.10LBPΒ 724.9K
-26.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$41.76LBPΒ 3.7M
-21.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$8.19LBPΒ 733.4K
-12.09%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.94LBPΒ 263.3K
-42.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.98LBPΒ 87.4K
12.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.99LBPΒ 88.2K
-27.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.25LBPΒ 111.5K
-15.20%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.65LBPΒ 58.5K
92.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.60LBPΒ 143.6K
-13.13%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.04LBPΒ 182.7K
10.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$9.18LBPΒ 821.9K
-52.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$8.18LBPΒ 732.4K
-28.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$12.17LBPΒ 1.1M
-27.44%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$3.06LBPΒ 273.7K
-26.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$2.04LBPΒ 182.6K
-47.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.03LBPΒ 91.9K
48.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.02LBPΒ 180.7K
-32.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.97LBPΒ 87.1K
16.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.99LBPΒ 88.2K
13.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.01LBPΒ 90.7K
-15.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.98LBPΒ 87.8K
-7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$4.09LBPΒ 365.6K
172.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.50LBPΒ 134.0K
-20.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.98LBPΒ 177.3K
19.70%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$1.03LBPΒ 91.8K
-23.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.92LBPΒ 82.2K
2.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$22.2KLBPΒ 2.0B
-19.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$22.7KLBPΒ 2.0B
18.12%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$101LBPΒ 9.0M
-16.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$22.46LBPΒ 2.0M
-57.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$24.83LBPΒ 2.2M
-2.70%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$37.59LBPΒ 3.4M
-31.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$18.56LBPΒ 1.7M
2.59%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$9.93LBPΒ 888.4K
-60.52%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$403LBPΒ 36.1M
-23.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$2,964LBPΒ 265.3M
99.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$98.3LBPΒ 8.8M
-41.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$101LBPΒ 9.1M
-68.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$119LBPΒ 10.7M
-16.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$153LBPΒ 13.7M
-29.88%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$295LBPΒ 26.4M
64.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$228LBPΒ 20.4M
61.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$796LBPΒ 71.2M
3.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$407LBPΒ 36.5M
75.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$1,326LBPΒ 118.7M
120.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$855LBPΒ 76.5M
64.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Byblos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$998LBPΒ 89.4M
-45.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8
67.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Byblos: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $295 in Byblos. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Byblos pays 83% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $42.00 in Byblos for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $221 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 Byblos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Byblos cheaper than Medellin?
Byblos is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Byblos?
On paper, Byblos earns 83% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Byblos?
Rent for a central apartment: $487 in Medellin versus $295 in Byblos. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $306 in Medellin versus $403 in Byblos. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Byblos?
Dining out is cheaper in Byblos β a meal for two runs $42.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Byblos?
At $998 in Byblos versus $1,034 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Byblos but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Byblos the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Byblos more family-friendly?
For families, Byblos is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, 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 Byblos gentler on the wallet β expenses run 4% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.