πA single person spends $1,030 per month in Medellin vs $942 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,387 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $1,832 in Diyarbakir, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 9% more than Diyarbakir, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Diyarbakir are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Diyarbakir30% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$5.09βΊ229
16.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$19.25βΊ865
72.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$6.17βΊ277
17.50%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$2.22βΊ99.6
-22.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$1.01βΊ45.30
7.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$0.24βΊ10.70
220.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
$1.98βΊ89.0
-11.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$2.49βΊ112
27.71%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$1.04βΊ46.95
1.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$0.47βΊ21.28
176.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$1.99βΊ89.6
-30.65%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$1.19βΊ53.6
85.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$6.29βΊ283
-28.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$2.47βΊ111
134.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$12.64βΊ568
-29.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$1.05βΊ47.20
118.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.56βΊ70.1
-32.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$0.79βΊ35.48
91.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$0.73βΊ32.84
86.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$0.39βΊ17.68
197.44%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$0.37βΊ16.57
216.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$0.65βΊ29.43
27.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$0.36βΊ16.17
136.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$2.08βΊ93.7
12.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
$5.40βΊ243
105.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
$1.98βΊ89.2
-41.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
$2.51βΊ113
-1.59%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$0.63βΊ28.13
25.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
$30.58βΊ1,375
36.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$0.75βΊ33.65
92.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$0.66βΊ29.65
187.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$7.80βΊ351
-1.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$1.12βΊ50.2
-8.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$38.7KβΊ1.7M
-54.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$42.7KβΊ1.9M
-36.73%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$73.8βΊ3,318
10.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$7.56βΊ340
24.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$12.55βΊ564
89.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$43.60βΊ1,960
-40.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
$20.56βΊ924
-5.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$8.92βΊ401
-54.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$217βΊ9,744
44.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$4,611βΊ207.2K
31.58%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$19.01βΊ855
209.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$25.44βΊ1,143
29.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$77.0βΊ3,461
30.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$51.4βΊ2,311
106.71%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$513βΊ23.0K
-4.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$398βΊ17.9K
-6.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$871βΊ39.1K
-3.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$710βΊ31.9K
0.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Diyarbakir
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
$946βΊ42.5K
-43.77%
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: April 20, 2026
Last update for Diyarbakir: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Medellin versus $513 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 78% 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 in Medellin versus $19 in Diyarbakir. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $153 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: $1,030 in Medellin, $942 in Diyarbakir β roughly 9% 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 $1,544 per month in Medellin and $1,413 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 24% 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 $942, than in Medellin at $1,030. 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 $942 in Diyarbakir to $1,030 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.