πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,186 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,832 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,478 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r, rent included.
πMedellin is about 14% cheaper than DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r12% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$11.47FtΒ 3,470
-48.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$48.20FtΒ 14.6K
-30.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.83FtΒ 2,370
-7.66%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.49FtΒ 753
-34.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.43FtΒ 432
-23.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.93FtΒ 280
-21.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.60FtΒ 787
-33.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.64FtΒ 799
22.35%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.12FtΒ 338
-6.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.48FtΒ 447
-12.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.80FtΒ 543
-26.67%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.95FtΒ 893
-23.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.43FtΒ 2,853
-53.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.89FtΒ 1,781
-0.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.97FtΒ 3,319
-21.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.24FtΒ 677
0.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.96FtΒ 593
-45.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.02FtΒ 611
-24.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.19FtΒ 1,268
-66.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.40FtΒ 424
-16.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.27FtΒ 386
-7.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.49FtΒ 451
-40.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.49FtΒ 148
83.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.51FtΒ 2,273
-70.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.45FtΒ 1,951
71.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.10FtΒ 332
3.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.18FtΒ 358
101.69%
π Getting Around
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.12FtΒ 340
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$25.21FtΒ 7,628
66.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.95FtΒ 894
-52.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.15FtΒ 347
65.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$17.10FtΒ 5,173
-54.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.77FtΒ 535
-42.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$31.1KFtΒ 9.4M
-43.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$36.6KFtΒ 11.1M
-27.60%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$146FtΒ 44.1K
-42.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$30.24FtΒ 9,148
-68.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$24.98FtΒ 7,556
-3.48%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$46.36FtΒ 14.0K
-45.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.62FtΒ 5,027
15.16%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$8.12FtΒ 2,458
-49.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$468FtΒ 141.6K
-33.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,638FtΒ 2.0M
-9.72%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$90.6FtΒ 27.4K
-35.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$26.12FtΒ 7,903
24.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$93.9FtΒ 28.4K
6.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$105FtΒ 31.6K
3.79%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$451FtΒ 136.4K
6.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$340FtΒ 103.0K
11.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$623FtΒ 188.4K
34.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$529FtΒ 160.2K
36.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,238FtΒ 979.5K
-12.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,438FtΒ 737.7K
-49.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8
67.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $451 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r. 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 $48.00 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $227 β making Medellin 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 DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r is pricier by about 17%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,779 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,186 in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r at $1,186. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, DunafΓΆldvΓ‘r makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.