Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and DuraCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Dura
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $780 in Dura, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,302 in Dura, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,824 in Dura, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 30% more than Dura, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Dura are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Dura42% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$13.96βͺ40.09
-57.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$56.7βͺ163
-42.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$11.18βͺ32.09
-36.58%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$1.94βͺ5.56
-11.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.74βͺ2.11
48.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.56βͺ1.62
39.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$5.64βͺ16.20
-70.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$5.66βͺ16.24
-45.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$2.21βͺ6.36
-50.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.10βͺ3.17
14.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$2.51βͺ7.21
-45.02%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$4.04βͺ11.60
-45.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.63βͺ21.90
-42.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$8.85βͺ25.41
-36.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$17.64βͺ50.6
-49.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.64βͺ7.57
-11.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.91βͺ5.49
-44.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.98βͺ5.69
-24.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$2.02βͺ5.81
-31.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.10βͺ3.15
4.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.40βͺ4.02
-17.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.43βͺ4.10
-37.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.80βͺ2.30
5.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$8.04βͺ23.08
-71.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$2.79βͺ8.00
-56.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$2.50βͺ7.17
-1.20%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Dura
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.81βͺ8.07
-47.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$14.21βͺ40.78
-45.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$2.12βͺ6.08
-55.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$39.2Kβͺ112.5K
-53.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$46.6Kβͺ133.8K
-43.15%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$84.3βͺ242
-2.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$18.85βͺ54.1
-49.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$45.87βͺ132
-47.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$8.95βͺ25.70
-56.09%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$218βͺ626
41.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,817βͺ11.0K
56.29%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$62.6βͺ180
-6.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$37.65βͺ108
-14.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$94.7βͺ272
8.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$73.4βͺ211
47.66%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Dura
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Dura
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.62
138.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Dura: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $57.0 in Dura. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $263 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 Dura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Dura compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $780 in Dura β roughly 30% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Dura?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,170 in Dura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Dura?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $780 in Dura. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Dura?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $218 in Dura. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Dura, where all-in costs run around $780, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Dura 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 Dura?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $780 in Dura to $1,013 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Dura?
If budget matters most, go with Dura. 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.