Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Galati Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Galati

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $1,132 in Galati, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,701 in Galati, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $2,270 in Galati, rent included.

Medellin is about 11% cheaper than Galati, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Medellin and Galati are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Galati 15% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91 COP 18.4K
$11.74 RON 53.4
-49.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96 COP 102.7K
$45.39 RON 207
-27.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.43 COP 23.1K
$8.26 RON 37.59
-10.05%
Cappuccino
$1.65 COP 5,153
$2.74 RON 12.48
-39.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 COP 3,432
$2.18 RON 9.91
-49.54%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 COP 2,433
$1.91 RON 8.70
-59.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 COP 5,356
$2.32 RON 10.56
-25.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 COP 9,904
$3.25 RON 14.81
-2.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.10 COP 3,439
$1.38 RON 6.29
-20.29%
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 COP 3,921
$0.87 RON 3.96
44.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 COP 4,304
$1.95 RON 8.86
-29.23%
Eggs
$2.18 COP 6,788
$3.65 RON 16.60
-40.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.49 COP 14.0K
$8.40 RON 38.24
-46.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.79 COP 18.0K
$6.17 RON 28.07
-6.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.97 COP 27.9K
$8.99 RON 40.92
-0.22%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 COP 7,232
$1.21 RON 5.52
91.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 COP 3,318
$1.66 RON 7.56
-36.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.52 COP 4,725
$1.67 RON 7.59
-8.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.36 COP 4,226
$1.84 RON 8.38
-26.09%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 COP 3,515
$1.02 RON 4.63
10.78%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 COP 3,651
$1.12 RON 5.09
4.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.90 COP 2,809
$0.91 RON 4.13
-1.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90 COP 2,794
$0.78 RON 3.55
15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23 COP 6,961
$5.67 RON 25.80
-60.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.12 COP 37.8K
$5.55 RON 25.27
118.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 COP 3,704
$0.94 RON 4.26
26.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 COP 7,735
$1.33 RON 6.06
86.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Galati
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.85 COP 2,660
$0.59 RON 2.71
44.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.62 COP 129.7K
$26.87 RON 122
54.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 COP 4,413
$0.72 RON 3.29
97.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.95 COP 6,078
$0.61 RON 2.78
219.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.89 COP 24.6K
$7.77 RON 35.36
1.54%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 COP 3,086
$1.52 RON 6.90
-34.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K COP 54.8M
$27.5K RON 125.0K
-35.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K COP 83.5M
$26.5K RON 120.8K
0.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.0 COP 258.7K
$160 RON 730
-48.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70 COP 30.2K
$8.37 RON 38.08
15.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52 COP 73.3K
$8.44 RON 38.40
178.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.26 COP 78.7K
$33.86 RON 154
-25.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10 COP 59.5K
$37.67 RON 171
-49.30%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95 COP 12.3K
$6.76 RON 30.75
-41.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$316 COP 984.0K
$665 RON 3,028
-52.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,975 COP 18.6M
$5,516 RON 25.1K
8.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0 COP 187.0K
$101 RON 458
-40.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82 COP 99.1K
$35.52 RON 162
-10.42%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 COP 316.8K
$63.6 RON 289
59.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 COP 334.8K
$95.8 RON 436
12.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Galati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$475 COP 1.5M
$429 RON 1,952
10.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$374 COP 1.2M
$349 RON 1,589
7.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$849 COP 2.6M
$640 RON 2,915
32.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$719 COP 2.2M
$540 RON 2,458
33.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,265 COP 10.2M
$1,618 RON 7,365
101.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,441 COP 4.5M
$1,250 RON 5,691
15.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$624 COP 1.9M
$1,001 RON 4,556
-37.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
6.5
106.62%

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

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Last update for Galati: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $429 in Galati. 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 60% higher in Galati, 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $45.00 in Galati. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $197 – 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 Galati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Galati compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $1,132 in Galati – roughly 13% apart. Galati costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Galati?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,698 in Galati. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Galati?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, 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 Galati?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $1,132 in Galati. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and in Galati?
Public transport costs about 55% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Galati at $1,132. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Galati it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Galati?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,003 in Medellin to $1,132 in Galati. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Galati safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Galati?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Galati makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Medellin vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities