😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $666 in Chinhoyi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $1,032 in Chinhoyi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $1,399 in Chinhoyi.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 51% more expensive than in Chinhoyi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin25% lower, Chinhoyi50% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$1.99ZWL 53.0
196.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$49.88ZWL 1,331
-33.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$4.47ZWL 119
66.22%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$1.02ZWL 27.24
61.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$0.34ZWL 9.10
223.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$0.24ZWL 6.38
225.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$0.99ZWL 26.40
73.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$1.98ZWL 52.8
60.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.51ZWL 40.36
-27.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$0.81ZWL 21.53
55.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$1.63ZWL 43.57
-15.34%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$2.11ZWL 56.2
3.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$11.03ZWL 294
-59.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$2.95ZWL 78.7
96.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$4.03ZWL 108
122.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$0.97ZWL 25.96
139.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.03ZWL 27.43
2.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$1.03ZWL 27.42
47.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$1.03ZWL 27.42
32.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$0.97ZWL 26.01
16.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$1.03ZWL 27.38
13.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$0.51ZWL 13.67
76.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$0.78ZWL 20.69
15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$1.07ZWL 28.62
108.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$6.82ZWL 182
77.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$0.48ZWL 12.85
147.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$1.03ZWL 27.39
140.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$0.99ZWL 26.31
-14.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
$29.74ZWL 793
39.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$4.02ZWL 107
-64.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$2.02ZWL 53.9
-3.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$5.05ZWL 135
56.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$1.39ZWL 36.97
-28.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$20.3KZWL 540.4K
-13.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$22.9KZWL 612.0K
16.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$40.57ZWL 1,082
104.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$17.94ZWL 479
-45.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$90.1ZWL 2,402
-73.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$10.20ZWL 272
-61.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$280ZWL 7,459
12.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$7,365ZWL 196.5K
-18.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$19.40ZWL 518
209.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$21.35ZWL 570
49.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$34.29ZWL 915
196.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$39.83ZWL 1,063
169.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$178ZWL 4,760
109.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$302ZWL 8,058
138.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Chinhoyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$201ZWL 5,363
210.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.31
0.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Chinhoyi: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Medellin pays 211% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $50.0 in Chinhoyi. Groceries flip the comparison at $193 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 in Chinhoyi?
Medellin and Chinhoyi differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($1,003 vs $666 including rent). Chinhoyi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Chinhoyi?
Average pay runs 211% higher in Medellin, 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 – 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 $1,003 per month in Medellin versus $666 in Chinhoyi – a 51% 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 $666 in Chinhoyi versus $1,003 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 – 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 – expenses run 51% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.