Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Fes

For one person, living is cheaper in Fes: $672 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $11,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Fes, Morocco
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Fes
🇲🇦 Morocco
$672
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Fes

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Fes actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $672 in Fes, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Fes $672

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $1,030 in Fes, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Fes $1,030

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $1,389 in Fes, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Fes $1,389

Medellin costs about 144% more than Fes, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Fes is 51% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.4K
$3.00 MAD 29.52
169.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.0K
$30.16 MAD 297
56.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 29.9K
$6.02 MAD 59.3
57.81%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,485
$1.30 MAD 12.80
131.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,660
$0.53 MAD 5.22
239.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,443
$0.41 MAD 4.07
243.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 9,990
$3.61 MAD 35.58
-11.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.1K
$4.02 MAD 39.64
43.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,751
$0.78 MAD 7.71
93.59%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,480
$0.58 MAD 5.67
310.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,573
$1.72 MAD 16.95
2.91%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,093
$1.87 MAD 18.43
54.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.1K
$9.89 MAD 97.4
3.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.1K
$4.47 MAD 44.03
120.81%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.0K
$9.22 MAD 90.8
51.74%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.5K
$1.96 MAD 19.26
102.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,883
$1.59 MAD 15.67
-2.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,867
$1.01 MAD 9.96
115.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,870
$1.00 MAD 9.87
118.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,174
$0.86 MAD 8.46
127.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,000
$1.04 MAD 10.22
52.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,604
$0.48 MAD 4.71
139.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,911
$0.57 MAD 5.56
117.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$4.24 MAD 41.79
-6.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.0K
$4.47 MAD 44.04
206.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,221
$2.66 MAD 26.16
-37.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,103
$3.08 MAD 30.36
-26.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Fes
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,674
$0.43 MAD 4.23
172.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 243.4K
$10.24 MAD 101
655.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 3,989
$0.63 MAD 6.21
101.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,442
$0.68 MAD 6.70
201.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 26.9K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,237
$1.49 MAD 14.70
-9.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.2M
$33.8K MAD 332.7K
0.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.1M
$34.5K MAD 339.9K
0.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 533.7K
$32.52 MAD 320
421.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.6K
$10.21 MAD 101
32.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.3K
$36.13 MAD 356
-22.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 137.5K
$26.55 MAD 261
64.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.1K
$18.59 MAD 183
-7.53%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.7K
$5.05 MAD 49.70
36.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$90.8 MAD 894
777.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.7M
$6,126 MAD 60.3K
48.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 266.5K
$18.39 MAD 181
360.69%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 182.3K
$51.6 MAD 509
12.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 424.6K
$82.9 MAD 817
62.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 307.9K
$55.6 MAD 548
76.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Fes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$307 MAD 3,023
293.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$181 MAD 1,783
254.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$529 MAD 5,208
283.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$243 MAD 2,390
316.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.1M
$706 MAD 6,952
490.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
$330 MAD 3,250
478.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Fes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$479 MAD 4,721
37.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
5
118.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Fes: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Fes
$181 71.8% $461
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Fes
$178 40.1% $119
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Fes
$79 62.7% $132
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Fes
$88 48.4% $82
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Fes
$94 44.5% $75
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Fes
$16 82.9% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Fes
$37 36.3% $21

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $307 in Fes. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 37% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $30 in Fes. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $178 – making Fes the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇲🇦 Fes
🕒 Local time
18:02 6:02 PM
23:02 11:02 PM
5 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
1,167,842
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MAD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 3,146 COP (10,000 COP = 3.18 USD). 1 EUR = 3,502 COP (10,000 COP = 2.86 EUR).

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 9.85 MAD (1 MAD = 0.102 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Fes 7,830 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Fes

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Fes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Fes?
Medellin costs about 144% more than Fes, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Fes?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $1,007 in Fes. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Fes?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Fes, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $307 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Fes?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $30 in Fes. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Fes?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $672 in Fes. That makes Fes about 59% cheaper.
Can you live on $800/month in Medellin or in Fes?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Fes, where all-in costs run around $672, than in Medellin at $1,639. In Fes it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Fes – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Medellin or to Fes?
If budget matters most, go with Fes. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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