Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Cakovec

For one person, living is cheaper in Cakovec: $1,324 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Cakovec, Croatia
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Cakovec
🇭🇷 Croatia
$1,324
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Cakovec

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Cakovec actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $1,324 in Cakovec, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Cakovec $1,324

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $1,943 in Cakovec, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Cakovec $1,943

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $2,561 in Cakovec, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Cakovec $2,561

Medellin costs about 24% more than Cakovec, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Cakovec is 3% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$7.37 €6.61
9.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.7K
$44.25 €39.63
6.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.6K
$7.79 €6.97
21.95%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,722
$2.20 €1.97
36.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,801
$2.14 €1.92
-15.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,554
$1.66 €1.49
-15.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.2K
$2.60 €2.33
22.31%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.5K
$3.29 €2.95
74.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,869
$1.17 €1.04
29.06%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,667
$1.52 €1.36
56.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,712
$3.46 €3.10
-48.84%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,320
$3.35 €3.00
-13.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$15.66 €14.03
-34.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.8K
$10.25 €9.18
-3.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.1K
$9.69 €8.68
44.38%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$1.66 €1.49
139.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,005
$1.66 €1.49
-6.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,039
$1.64 €1.47
32.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,041
$1.62 €1.45
34.57%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,328
$1.36 €1.22
44.12%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,125
$1.27 €1.14
25.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,694
$0.75 €0.67
53.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,009
$1.31 €1.17
-5.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$5.74 €5.14
-31.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.1K
$7.56 €6.77
80.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,352
$1.27 €1.13
30.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,281
$1.91 €1.71
18.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,766
$2.29 €2.05
-48.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.5K
$61.0 €54.6
26.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,089
$5.51 €4.94
-76.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,603
$1.37 €1.23
49.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$11.03 €9.87
-22.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,343
$1.63 €1.46
-17.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.8M
$27.1K €24.2K
25.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.8M
$24.8K €22.2K
39.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.0K
$191 €171
-11.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$18.36 €16.45
-26.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.5K
$33.18 €29.71
-15.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 140.9K
$52.2 €46.78
-16.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.4K
$22.22 €19.90
-22.64%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$8.02 €7.18
-13.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$129 €116
516.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$8,357 €7,484
9.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.2K
$100 €89.7
-15.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 186.9K
$41.41 €37.09
39.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.2K
$85.1 €76.2
58.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 315.6K
$110 €98.6
-11.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$485 €434
149.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$371 €332
72.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$694 €622
192.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$521 €466
94.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.4M
$3,105 €2,781
34.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$2,254 €2,019
-15.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Cakovec
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$1,274 €1,141
-48.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
3.73
193.30%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Cakovec: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Cakovec
$371 42.2% $271
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Cakovec
$265 10.8% $32
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Cakovec
$242 14.7% $31
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Cakovec
$144 15.3% $26
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Cakovec
$152 10.3% $17
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Cakovec
$83 11.8% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Cakovec
$68 18.7% $11

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $485 in Cakovec. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 94% higher in Cakovec, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $44 in Cakovec. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $265 – making Cakovec the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇭🇷 Cakovec
🕒 Local time
16:16 4:16 PM
22:16 10:16 PM
6 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
27,122
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR, USD to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 3,224 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,600 COP (10,000 COP = 2.78 EUR).

Euro exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 0.896 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Cakovec 9,660 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Cakovec

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Cakovec: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Cakovec?
Medellin costs about 24% more than Cakovec, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Cakovec?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $1,986 in Cakovec. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Cakovec?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cakovec, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $485 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Cakovec?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Medellin, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Cakovec?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $44 in Cakovec. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Cakovec?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,639 in Medellin and $1,324 in Cakovec. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Cakovec – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Cakovec is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 19% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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