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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $170 in Derna, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $337 in Derna, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $504 in Derna, rent included.

Medellin costs about 497% more than Derna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and Derna are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 24% lower, Derna 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.99 COP 21.4K

$4.72 LYD 29.99

26.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.86 COP 117.4K

$9.35 LYD 59.4

251.44%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.09 COP 25.3K

$3.71 LYD 23.53

91.11%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.53 LYD 3.38

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 LYD 4.79

Cappuccino

$1.71 COP 6,115

$0.57 LYD 3.62

200.00%

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

$1.10 COP 3,924

$0.39 LYD 2.46

182.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,781

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.68 COP 5,997

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 COP 11.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 COP 3,906

$0.70 LYD 4.44

55.71%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 4,508

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,922

Eggs

$2.19 COP 7,827

$0.76 LYD 4.84

188.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.40 COP 15.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.63 COP 20.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.89 COP 31.8K

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 COP 8,349

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,777

$0.96 LYD 6.10

10.42%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.50 COP 5,374

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,924

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 COP 4,111

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 COP 4,155

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,182

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 COP 2,997

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.28 COP 8,145

Wine (Bottle)

$10.64 COP 38.0K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 COP 4,284

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 COP 8,824

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.86 COP 3,056

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.40 COP 147.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.47 COP 5,264

$0.93 LYD 5.91

58.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 COP 7,009

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.74 COP 27.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 COP 3,409

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

$18.1K COP 64.7M

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

$26.5K COP 94.6M

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

$82.3 COP 293.7K

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

$9.50 COP 33.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.23 COP 86.5K

$16.38 LYD 104

47.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.89 COP 92.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.00 COP 67.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.93 COP 14.0K

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

$309 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,965 COP 21.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.7 COP 209.5K

$37.23 LYD 236

57.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.35 COP 115.5K

$46.51 LYD 295

-30.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 COP 366.4K

$45.65 LYD 290

124.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 COP 387.2K

$45.78 LYD 291

136.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$476 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$838 COP 3.0M

$183 LYD 1,159

359.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$724 COP 2.6M

$109 LYD 694

562.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,791 COP 10.0M

$200 LYD 1,271

1293.93%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,211 COP 4.3M

$79.3 LYD 504

1427.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$512 COP 1.8M

$173 LYD 1,099

195.72%

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: May 31, 2026

Last update for Derna: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 196% 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: $188 vs $16.00 – 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 497% 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 $1,519 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 $1,013 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 1093% 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 $1,013. 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 $1,013 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.