Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Derna Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Derna

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $170 in Derna, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $341 in Derna, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $513 in Derna, rent included.

Medellin costs about 507% more than Derna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and Derna are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 23% lower, Derna 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.16 COP 20.1K

$4.72 LYD 30.05

30.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.60 COP 106.1K

$9.41 LYD 59.9

246.44%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.34 COP 23.9K

$3.71 LYD 23.64

97.84%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.58 LYD 3.67

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.45

Cappuccino

$1.72 COP 5,599

$0.57 LYD 3.62

201.75%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.05 COP 3,420

$0.38 LYD 2.44

176.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 COP 2,515

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.69 COP 5,487

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 COP 10.3K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 COP 3,423

$0.70 LYD 4.48

50.00%

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 COP 4,236

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 COP 4,544

Eggs

$2.16 COP 7,046

$0.76 LYD 4.81

184.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.39 COP 14.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 COP 19.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.64 COP 28.1K

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 COP 7,425

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 COP 3,603

$0.90 LYD 5.71

23.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 COP 4,982

Tomato (1kg)

$1.35 COP 4,410

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,674

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,692

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 COP 2,753

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 COP 2,975

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.34 COP 7,629

Wine (Bottle)

$12.37 COP 40.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 COP 3,909

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 COP 8,104

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 COP 2,727

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.57 COP 132.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,623

$0.95 LYD 6.03

49.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 COP 6,235

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.66 COP 24.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,223

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.0K COP 58.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.6K COP 86.7M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$80.8 COP 263.1K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.95 COP 32.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.18 COP 78.7K

$16.36 LYD 104

47.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.08 COP 81.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.15 COP 62.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.98 COP 13.0K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$305 COP 993.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,059 COP 19.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.1 COP 189.2K

$37.41 LYD 238

55.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.20 COP 104.8K

$44.96 LYD 286

-28.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 COP 327.9K

$45.60 LYD 290

120.90%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 COP 350.8K

$46.11 LYD 294

133.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$477 COP 1.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$376 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$845 COP 2.7M

$184 LYD 1,172

359.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$730 COP 2.4M

$108 LYD 689

574.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,215 COP 10.5M

$194 LYD 1,236

1557.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,372 COP 4.5M

$78.5 LYD 500

1649.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 COP 2.0M

$173 LYD 1,105

255.67%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

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

Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026

Last update for Derna: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 256% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $9.00 in Derna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $15.00 – making Derna the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Derna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Medellin costs about 507% more than Derna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,546 per month in Medellin and $255 in Derna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,031 in Medellin and $170 in Derna. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 1151% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Derna, where all-in costs run around $170, than in Medellin at $1,031. In Derna it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Derna costs $170 versus $1,031 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Derna. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.