πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,722 in Eskilstuna.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,646 in Eskilstuna.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $3,570 in Eskilstuna.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 41% less than in Eskilstuna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Eskilstuna is 28% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$13.25SEKΒ 124
-55.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$68.6SEKΒ 644
-51.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.50SEKΒ 98.5
-31.14%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.64SEKΒ 43.48
-64.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.77SEKΒ 26.03
-60.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.41SEKΒ 22.56
-69.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$7.28SEKΒ 68.3
-76.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.29SEKΒ 68.4
-55.69%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.52SEKΒ 14.24
-30.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$3.05SEKΒ 28.61
-57.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.43SEKΒ 32.13
-61.52%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.99SEKΒ 37.44
-43.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$14.20SEKΒ 133
-69.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$11.73SEKΒ 110
-49.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$13.61SEKΒ 128
-36.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.34SEKΒ 31.32
-32.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.71SEKΒ 25.43
-60.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.56SEKΒ 24.03
-40.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$3.91SEKΒ 36.72
-63.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.49SEKΒ 13.95
-21.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$2.12SEKΒ 19.93
-44.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.69SEKΒ 25.23
-66.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.69SEKΒ 15.86
-46.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.46SEKΒ 70.0
-69.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.58SEKΒ 80.5
28.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.42SEKΒ 22.66
-52.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.90SEKΒ 17.85
25.26%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$3.38SEKΒ 31.74
-75.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$67.8SEKΒ 636
-38.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$6.52SEKΒ 61.2
-78.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.22SEKΒ 11.48
55.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$60.7SEKΒ 570
-87.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.97SEKΒ 18.49
-48.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$33.2KSEKΒ 311.0K
-46.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$34.4KSEKΒ 323.0K
-23.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$91.2SEKΒ 856
-8.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$28.02SEKΒ 263
-66.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$36.73SEKΒ 345
-34.36%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$26.21SEKΒ 246
-3.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$25.22SEKΒ 237
-24.11%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.72SEKΒ 110
-65.02%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$126SEKΒ 1,185
146.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$727SEKΒ 6,823
723.95%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$103SEKΒ 965
-43.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$31.77SEKΒ 298
2.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$94.6SEKΒ 888
5.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$156SEKΒ 1,465
-30.50%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$727SEKΒ 6,817
-33.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$632SEKΒ 5,932
-39.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,217SEKΒ 11.4K
-31.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,058SEKΒ 9,924
-31.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,165SEKΒ 29.7K
-10.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,685SEKΒ 25.2K
-54.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Eskilstuna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$4,274SEKΒ 40.1K
-87.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.53
196.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Eskilstuna: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $727 in Eskilstuna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Eskilstuna pays 690% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $69.0 in Eskilstuna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $353 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Eskilstuna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Eskilstuna?
Medellin wins on cost β living expenses run 69% lower than in Eskilstuna. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or Eskilstuna?
On paper, Eskilstuna earns 690% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Eskilstuna?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $727 in Eskilstuna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Eskilstuna?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,722 in Eskilstuna β a 69% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs Eskilstuna?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 62% less than in Eskilstuna. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Eskilstuna?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,722 in Eskilstuna, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Eskilstuna. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Eskilstuna?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,017 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Eskilstuna?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Eskilstuna are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 69% less than in Eskilstuna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.