πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $644 in Chinhoyi.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,031 in Chinhoyi.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,418 in Chinhoyi.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 58% more expensive than Chinhoyi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Chinhoyi52% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.05ZWLΒ 54.8
190.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$49.87ZWLΒ 1,335
-33.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.55ZWLΒ 122
58.90%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.99ZWLΒ 26.37
64.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.32ZWLΒ 8.46
240.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.24ZWLΒ 6.40
204.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$0.98ZWLΒ 26.31
77.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.03ZWLΒ 54.5
59.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.54ZWLΒ 41.34
-31.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.87ZWLΒ 23.39
48.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.61ZWLΒ 43.11
-18.01%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.09ZWLΒ 55.9
8.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.80ZWLΒ 289
-59.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$2.94ZWLΒ 78.7
100.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$3.97ZWLΒ 106
116.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.97ZWLΒ 26.06
131.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.03ZWLΒ 27.57
3.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.98ZWLΒ 26.21
55.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.02ZWLΒ 27.26
39.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.97ZWLΒ 26.09
20.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.03ZWLΒ 27.53
13.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.51ZWLΒ 13.75
74.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.77ZWLΒ 20.64
16.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$1.11ZWLΒ 29.79
102.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.12ZWLΒ 191
55.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.51ZWLΒ 13.73
123.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$0.97ZWLΒ 26.09
145.36%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.02ZWLΒ 27.23
-17.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$29.68ZWLΒ 794
41.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.07ZWLΒ 109
-65.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.06ZWLΒ 55.1
-7.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$5.04ZWLΒ 135
53.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.46ZWLΒ 39.01
-30.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$19.6KZWLΒ 525.9K
-10.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$23.0KZWLΒ 615.3K
15.27%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$40.29ZWLΒ 1,079
107.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$17.46ZWLΒ 468
-45.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$88.4ZWLΒ 2,367
-72.74%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.97ZWLΒ 267
-58.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$282ZWLΒ 7,562
10.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,193ZWLΒ 192.6K
-16.68%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$19.08ZWLΒ 511
204.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$20.93ZWLΒ 560
55.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$35.09ZWLΒ 939
183.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$40.32ZWLΒ 1,079
169.20%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$180ZWLΒ 4,809
111.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$296ZWLΒ 7,935
143.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$199ZWLΒ 5,339
171.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.31
0.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Chinhoyi: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Medellin pays 171% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $50.0 in Chinhoyi. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $153, with Chinhoyi 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 Chinhoyi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Chinhoyi?
Medellin and Chinhoyi differ by about 58% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $644 including rent). Chinhoyi is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Chinhoyi?
Medellin pays 171% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Chinhoyi β a meal for two runs $50.0 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 Chinhoyi?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $644 in Chinhoyi β a 58% 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 $644 in Chinhoyi versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Chinhoyi but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Chinhoyi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Chinhoyi?
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.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Chinhoyi?
Expats usually find Chinhoyi gentler on the wallet β expenses run 58% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.