πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $916 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,374 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,831 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 11% more than Diyarbakir, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Diyarbakir are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Diyarbakir32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.6K
$5.04βΊ233
18.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 115.1K
$18.82βΊ871
77.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.0K
$6.54βΊ302
10.55%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,629
$2.25βΊ104
-27.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,782
$1.04βΊ48.13
4.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,522
$0.26βΊ12.09
180.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,003
$1.97βΊ91.3
-11.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.2K
$2.50βΊ116
29.20%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,625
$1.04βΊ47.89
0.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,469
$0.47βΊ21.97
174.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,570
$1.98βΊ91.6
-33.33%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,846
$1.25βΊ57.9
81.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.0K
$6.29βΊ291
-30.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.3K
$2.61βΊ121
125.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 29.7K
$12.80βΊ592
-32.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,763
$1.05βΊ48.49
114.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,695
$1.56βΊ72.1
-31.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,267
$0.74βΊ34.28
105.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,914
$0.73βΊ33.75
94.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,042
$0.40βΊ18.27
192.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,035
$0.40βΊ18.45
192.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,064
$0.66βΊ30.44
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,114
$0.36βΊ16.49
150.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,757
$1.98βΊ91.8
13.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.1K
$6.35βΊ294
73.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,936
$2.07βΊ95.6
-44.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,216
$2.62βΊ121
-9.16%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,886
$0.63βΊ29.06
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 144.9K
$30.09βΊ1,392
39.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,861
$0.78βΊ36.24
80.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,567
$0.66βΊ30.57
187.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 26.8K
$7.55βΊ349
2.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,473
$1.08βΊ49.92
-6.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 60.7M
$37.8KβΊ1.7M
-53.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 91.5M
$42.5KβΊ2.0M
-37.70%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 289.1K
$74.6βΊ3,449
12.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 32.6K
$7.58βΊ350
24.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 83.3K
$12.55βΊ581
92.11%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 87.4K
$42.84βΊ1,982
-40.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.1K
$20.83βΊ964
-8.11%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.2K
$9.00βΊ416
-54.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$217βΊ10.1K
43.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.7M
$4,569βΊ211.4K
31.16%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 200.5K
$18.74βΊ867
209.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 112.5K
$25.64βΊ1,186
26.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 344.1K
$75.1βΊ3,473
32.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 375.0K
$50.3βΊ2,328
115.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$509βΊ23.5K
-5.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$400βΊ18.5K
-5.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$873βΊ40.4K
-4.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$722βΊ33.4K
0.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.2M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$905βΊ41.9K
-40.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
37
-63.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Diyarbakir: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $509 in Diyarbakir. 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 67% higher in Diyarbakir, 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 $19.00 in Diyarbakir. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $157 β making Diyarbakir 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 Diyarbakir: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Diyarbakir compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $916 in Diyarbakir β roughly 11% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Diyarbakir?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,375 in Diyarbakir. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Diyarbakir?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Diyarbakir, 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?
Groceries cost about 21% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Diyarbakir, where all-in costs run around $916, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Diyarbakir 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 Diyarbakir?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $916 in Diyarbakir to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Diyarbakir 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 Diyarbakir?
If budget matters most, go with Diyarbakir. 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.