πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $714 in Ekibastuz, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,133 in Ekibastuz, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,553 in Ekibastuz, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 42% more than Ekibastuz, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Ekibastuz are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ekibastuz47% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$8.49βΈ4,147
-29.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$29.01βΈ14.2K
14.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.79βΈ2,827
24.87%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.35βΈ657
20.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.89βΈ436
22.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.57βΈ280
28.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.19βΈ580
46.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.99βΈ1,462
8.03%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.94βΈ461
11.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.50βΈ243
158.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.40βΈ682
-5.71%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.76βΈ858
28.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.39βΈ4,585
-53.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.72βΈ2,306
24.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$6.99βΈ3,412
23.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.32βΈ644
70.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.82βΈ891
-41.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.91βΈ933
-20.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.98βΈ969
-28.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.60βΈ292
95.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.40βΈ195
192.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.96βΈ471
-7.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.70βΈ342
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$1.82βΈ889
23.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$9.15βΈ4,471
20.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.01βΈ495
12.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.61βΈ788
47.83%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.23βΈ113
265.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.95βΈ465
48.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.67βΈ329
183.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.46βΈ2,177
73.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.41βΈ198
146.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$20.7KβΈ10.1M
-14.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$25.3KβΈ12.4M
4.77%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$54.3βΈ26.5K
54.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$8.45βΈ4,126
11.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$13.67βΈ6,675
76.37%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$32.67βΈ16.0K
-22.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.15βΈ2,515
-20.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$238βΈ116.1K
31.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$4,880βΈ2.4M
22.81%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$57.6βΈ28.1K
0.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$34.66βΈ16.9K
-6.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$88.9βΈ43.4K
12.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$88.2βΈ43.1K
23.08%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$212βΈ103.4K
127.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$160βΈ78.3K
136.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$394βΈ192.4K
112.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$304βΈ148.3K
138.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$916βΈ447.5K
209.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$829βΈ405.0K
47.49%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ekibastuz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$305βΈ148.9K
77.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
16.12
-16.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Ekibastuz: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $212 in Ekibastuz. 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 77% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $29.00 in Ekibastuz. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $176 β making Ekibastuz 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 Ekibastuz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Ekibastuz compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $714 in Ekibastuz β roughly 42% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Ekibastuz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,070 in Ekibastuz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Ekibastuz?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ekibastuz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Ekibastuz?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $714 in Ekibastuz. 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 Ekibastuz?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $238 in Ekibastuz. 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 Ekibastuz, where all-in costs run around $714, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Ekibastuz 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 Ekibastuz?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $714 in Ekibastuz to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Ekibastuz?
If budget matters most, go with Ekibastuz. 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.