Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and DevaCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Deva
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $884 in Deva, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,343 in Deva, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,802 in Deva, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 15% more than Deva, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Deva are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Deva34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$7.64RONΒ 34.59
-21.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$22.87RONΒ 104
43.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$8.23RONΒ 37.26
-13.85%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$1.90RONΒ 8.59
-10.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$1.31RONΒ 5.93
-16.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$1.15RONΒ 5.21
-32.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$1.39RONΒ 6.31
20.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.25RONΒ 10.19
36.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.62RONΒ 7.31
-32.72%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.14RONΒ 5.16
10.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.34RONΒ 6.08
2.99%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.99RONΒ 13.51
-26.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.07RONΒ 36.51
-45.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$5.54RONΒ 25.09
1.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$10.37RONΒ 46.91
-14.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.02RONΒ 4.64
129.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.38RONΒ 6.23
-23.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.51RONΒ 6.84
-0.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$2.01RONΒ 9.11
-31.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.83RONΒ 3.78
38.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.78RONΒ 3.51
48.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$0.74RONΒ 3.36
20.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.80RONΒ 3.62
5.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$5.93RONΒ 26.85
-61.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.72RONΒ 34.93
37.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.09RONΒ 4.93
10.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$1.65RONΒ 7.44
49.70%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Deva
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.57RONΒ 2.58
50.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$19.58RONΒ 88.6
111.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$0.88RONΒ 3.97
67.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.81RONΒ 3.67
141.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$6.98RONΒ 31.59
10.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.53RONΒ 6.90
-37.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$27.9KRONΒ 126.2K
-35.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$28.4KRONΒ 128.7K
-6.88%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$145RONΒ 657
-43.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$8.94RONΒ 40.48
6.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$9.59RONΒ 43.39
152.66%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$41.85RONΒ 189
-38.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$19.25RONΒ 87.1
-1.30%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.85RONΒ 26.49
-32.82%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$436RONΒ 1,975
-29.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$6,860RONΒ 31.0K
-13.04%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$71.0RONΒ 321
-17.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$15.97RONΒ 72.3
102.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$73.0RONΒ 331
40.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$63.9RONΒ 289
69.66%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Deva
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$233RONΒ 1,054
104.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$205RONΒ 927
84.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$407RONΒ 1,840
106.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$349RONΒ 1,579
107.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$6,369RONΒ 28.8K
-56.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$4,131RONΒ 18.7K
-70.68%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Deva
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,066RONΒ 4,825
-52.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.5
106.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Deva: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $233 in Deva. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 108% higher in Deva, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $23.00 in Deva. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $198 in Deva β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Deva: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Deva compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $884 in Deva β roughly 15% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Deva?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,326 in Deva. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Deva?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Deva, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Deva, where all-in costs run around $884, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Deva it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Deva?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $884 in Deva to $1,013 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Deva safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Deva?
If budget matters most, go with Deva. 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.