😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Medellin versus $1,323 in Constanta.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Medellin versus $2,009 in Constanta.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,253 in Medellin versus $2,696 in Constanta.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 24% more expensive than in Constanta, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 19% above, Constanta is 4% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 25.0K
$13.10RON 59.2
-38.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 149.9K
$67.5RON 305
-28.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.3K
$7.78RON 35.12
21.08%
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,120
$3.31RON 14.95
-11.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,786
$1.82RON 8.22
2.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,519
$1.30RON 5.87
12.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,969
$2.16RON 9.75
48.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.7K
$3.24RON 14.65
76.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,467
$1.72RON 7.78
-16.28%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,454
$1.31RON 5.89
83.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,274
$1.74RON 7.88
-2.30%
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,975
$3.06RON 13.80
-5.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 31.2K
$8.96RON 40.47
12.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 31.0K
$5.95RON 26.89
67.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 44.1K
$9.37RON 42.33
51.55%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.4K
$1.36RON 6.15
192.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,921
$1.75RON 7.89
-9.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,682
$1.64RON 7.42
31.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,141
$2.74RON 12.38
-16.06%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,223
$1.02RON 4.63
96.08%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,687
$1.04RON 4.68
45.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,734
$1.05RON 4.74
14.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,981
$0.92RON 4.16
39.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.9K
$6.55RON 29.56
-41.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.5K
$6.82RON 30.81
105.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,302
$1.07RON 4.82
59.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,515
$1.80RON 8.12
52.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,868
$0.63RON 2.85
98.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 241.9K
$17.52RON 79.1
344.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,052
$0.85RON 3.82
54.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,739
$0.86RON 3.89
152.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.8K
$7.86RON 35.48
5.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,209
$1.85RON 8.36
-26.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 85.3M
$29.2KRON 131.9K
-5.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 113.4M
$25.5KRON 115.0K
43.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 523.8K
$176RON 797
-4.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 42.1K
$8.14RON 36.74
66.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.9K
$8.72RON 39.40
224.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 141.9K
$57.6RON 260
-20.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.5K
$14.22RON 64.2
21.10%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.6K
$7.06RON 31.88
-5.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
$591RON 2,668
35.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.5M
$8,122RON 36.7K
13.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 271.2K
$70.2RON 317
24.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 184.3K
$48.40RON 219
22.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 431.3K
$91.2RON 412
52.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 316.8K
$89.4RON 404
14.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
$626RON 2,828
71.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
$491RON 2,216
33.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 6.0M
$1,105RON 4,992
74.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.3M
$776RON 3,506
34.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.8M
$2,583RON 11.7K
59.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.3M
$2,100RON 9,485
-19.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Constanta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
$1,001RON 4,520
-34.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.99
56.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Last update for Constanta: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,071 in Medellin and $626 in Constanta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Constanta pays 53% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $48.00 in Medellin vs $68.0 in Constanta. Groceries flip the comparison at $300 vs $215, with Constanta 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 Constanta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constanta cheaper than Medellin?
Constanta is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 24% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Constanta?
On paper, salaries run 53% lower in Constanta. 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 Constanta?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,071 in Medellin versus $626 in Constanta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Constanta?
Dining out is cheaper in Constanta – a meal for two runs $68.0 versus $48.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Constanta?
All in, you'll spend $1,641 per month in Medellin versus $1,323 in Constanta – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Constanta?
At $1,323 in Constanta versus $1,641 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Constanta but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Constanta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Constanta more family-friendly?
For families, Constanta 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 safer, Medellin or Constanta?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Constanta are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Constanta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.