πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $399 in Dhangadhi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $653 in Dhangadhi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $907 in Dhangadhi, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 155% more than Dhangadhi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Dhangadhi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Dhangadhi70% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$1.85NPRΒ 282
221.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$14.60NPRΒ 2,222
128.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.30NPRΒ 1,415
-22.26%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.54NPRΒ 234
5.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.52NPRΒ 79.6
109.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.16NPRΒ 25.01
356.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.58NPRΒ 392
-32.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.57NPRΒ 543
-9.52%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.64NPRΒ 97.1
64.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.55NPRΒ 84.3
134.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$0.83NPRΒ 126
59.04%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.74NPRΒ 264
30.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.39NPRΒ 1,124
-41.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.13NPRΒ 476
87.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$6.07NPRΒ 924
41.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.28NPRΒ 348
-1.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.06NPRΒ 161
0.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.20NPRΒ 182
26.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.69NPRΒ 105
105.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.45NPRΒ 69.0
160.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.68NPRΒ 103
72.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.53NPRΒ 80.8
67.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.27NPRΒ 41.40
233.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.00NPRΒ 456
-25.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.25NPRΒ 343
-49.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$3.36NPRΒ 511
-29.17%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.17NPRΒ 26.21
394.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.24NPRΒ 342
-37.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.80NPRΒ 122
137.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$3.68NPRΒ 561
110.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.27NPRΒ 194
-20.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.2KNPRΒ 4.9M
-45.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$40.1KNPRΒ 6.1M
-33.94%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$26.70NPRΒ 4,062
213.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$4.93NPRΒ 750
91.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$9.57NPRΒ 1,456
151.93%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$17.90NPRΒ 2,723
41.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$2.68NPRΒ 409
52.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$72.6NPRΒ 11.0K
329.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,733NPRΒ 415.9K
119.26%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$24.94NPRΒ 3,795
132.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$27.09NPRΒ 4,122
20.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$45.38NPRΒ 6,905
119.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$29.27NPRΒ 4,455
270.82%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$105NPRΒ 16.0K
359.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$64.9NPRΒ 9,876
484.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$207NPRΒ 31.5K
305.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$147NPRΒ 22.4K
391.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Dhangadhi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12.08
11.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Dhangadhi: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $105 in Dhangadhi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $15.00 in Dhangadhi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $130 β making Dhangadhi 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 Dhangadhi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Dhangadhi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $399 in Dhangadhi β roughly 155% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Dhangadhi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $598 in Dhangadhi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Dhangadhi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Dhangadhi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Groceries cost about 46% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Dhangadhi, where all-in costs run around $399, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Dhangadhi 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 Dhangadhi?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $399 in Dhangadhi to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Dhangadhi?
If budget matters most, go with Dhangadhi. 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.