Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and CazinCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Cazin
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $860 in Cazin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,261 in Cazin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,662 in Cazin.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 18% more expensive than Cazin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Cazin36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$4.85BAMΒ 8.17
23.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$23.62BAMΒ 39.80
39.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.75BAMΒ 14.73
-18.97%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$1.20BAMΒ 2.02
42.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.86BAMΒ 3.13
-40.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.31BAMΒ 2.21
-40.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.66BAMΒ 2.79
1.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.40BAMΒ 4.04
27.92%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.26BAMΒ 2.13
-13.49%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.14BAMΒ 1.91
10.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$2.15BAMΒ 3.61
-35.81%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.14BAMΒ 3.61
2.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.53BAMΒ 17.74
-58.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.42BAMΒ 12.50
-24.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$13.12BAMΒ 22.10
-32.24%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.54BAMΒ 2.59
51.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.81BAMΒ 3.05
-41.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.68BAMΒ 2.83
-10.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$1.76BAMΒ 2.96
-21.59%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.13BAMΒ 1.91
1.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.16BAMΒ 1.96
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.21BAMΒ 2.05
-26.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.80BAMΒ 1.36
5.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$3.57BAMΒ 6.02
-36.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$8.32BAMΒ 14.01
27.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.10BAMΒ 1.85
9.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.11BAMΒ 1.86
122.52%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.80BAMΒ 3.03
-52.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$36.39BAMΒ 61.3
13.77%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$1.49BAMΒ 2.50
-1.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.84BAMΒ 1.41
133.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$8.97BAMΒ 15.12
-13.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.50BAMΒ 2.53
-36.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$24.4KBAMΒ 41.1K
-25.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$26.0KBAMΒ 43.8K
1.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$117BAMΒ 196
-29.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$18.90BAMΒ 31.84
-49.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$29.71BAMΒ 50.1
-18.44%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$25.27BAMΒ 42.57
2.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$10.86BAMΒ 18.29
74.95%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.44BAMΒ 7.48
-11.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$252BAMΒ 424
22.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,348BAMΒ 5,641
78.16%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$41.88BAMΒ 70.6
40.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$29.03BAMΒ 48.92
11.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$49.48BAMΒ 83.4
107.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$79.3BAMΒ 134
36.72%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$240BAMΒ 404
98.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$180BAMΒ 303
110.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$372BAMΒ 627
125.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$283BAMΒ 477
155.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,314BAMΒ 2,213
112.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,176BAMΒ 1,982
2.99%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Cazin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$730BAMΒ 1,229
-29.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.8
253.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Cazin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $240 in Cazin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Cazin pays 43% 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 $24.00 in Cazin. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $228, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Cazin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Cazin?
Medellin and Cazin differ by about 18% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $860 including rent). Cazin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Cazin earns 43% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Cazin?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $240 in Cazin. 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 Cazin β a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Cazin?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $860 in Cazin β a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $860 in Cazin versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Cazin but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Cazin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Cazin?
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 Cazin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Cazin 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 Cazin?
Expats usually find Cazin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 18% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.