πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,462 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,113 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,763 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 30% less than in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, FrΓ½dek-MΓstek is 9% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$8.89KΔΒ 185
-33.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$36.74KΔΒ 764
-9.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.90KΔΒ 185
-18.76%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.91KΔΒ 60.6
-43.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.86KΔΒ 38.64
-41.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.52KΔΒ 31.52
-51.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.38KΔΒ 49.53
-26.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.91KΔΒ 39.67
69.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.16KΔΒ 24.06
-9.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.39KΔΒ 28.83
-7.19%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.04KΔΒ 42.35
-35.29%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.88KΔΒ 60.0
-21.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.78KΔΒ 245
-63.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$8.72KΔΒ 181
-32.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.02KΔΒ 250
-28.37%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.70KΔΒ 35.45
32.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.77KΔΒ 36.76
-39.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.11KΔΒ 43.79
-27.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.98KΔΒ 61.9
-52.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.15KΔΒ 23.92
1.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.11KΔΒ 23.01
5.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.43KΔΒ 29.76
-37.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.62KΔΒ 12.86
45.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.49KΔΒ 156
-69.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.95KΔΒ 144
58.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.86KΔΒ 17.91
32.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.77KΔΒ 36.74
34.46%
π Getting Around
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.96KΔΒ 20.01
-12.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$25.24KΔΒ 525
66.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.38KΔΒ 28.74
2.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.21KΔΒ 25.23
57.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$13.93KΔΒ 290
-44.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.74KΔΒ 36.24
-41.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.7KKΔΒ 576.3K
-36.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.4KKΔΒ 591.0K
-6.77%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$222KΔΒ 4,622
-62.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$30.20KΔΒ 628
-68.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.62KΔΒ 387
29.48%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$63.2KΔΒ 1,313
-59.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.54KΔΒ 344
15.72%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.49KΔΒ 197
-56.80%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$395KΔΒ 8,218
-21.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,602KΔΒ 116.5K
6.98%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$80.8KΔΒ 1,680
-28.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$37.51KΔΒ 780
-13.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$88.3KΔΒ 1,835
12.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$96.4KΔΒ 2,003
12.65%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$685KΔΒ 14.2K
-29.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$566KΔΒ 11.8K
-33.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,160KΔΒ 24.1K
-27.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$867KΔΒ 18.0K
-16.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,104KΔΒ 64.5K
-8.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,549KΔΒ 53.0K
-52.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,457KΔΒ 30.3K
-62.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.52
143.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for FrΓ½dek-MΓstek: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $685 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°FrΓ½dek-MΓstek pays 169% 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 $37.00 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $243 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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is FrΓ½dek-MΓstek cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 44% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
On paper, FrΓ½dek-MΓstek earns 169% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $685 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Supermarket bills run roughly 28% higher in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $37.00 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,462 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Safety-wise, Medellin and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 44% less than in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.