🙂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 – Medellin25% lower, Galati15% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.4K
$11.74RON 53.4
-49.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 102.7K
$45.39RON 207
-27.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.1K
$8.26RON 37.59
-10.05%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,153
$2.74RON 12.48
-39.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,432
$2.18RON 9.91
-49.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,433
$1.91RON 8.70
-59.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,356
$2.32RON 10.56
-25.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 9,904
$3.25RON 14.81
-2.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,439
$1.38RON 6.29
-20.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,921
$0.87RON 3.96
44.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,304
$1.95RON 8.86
-29.23%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,788
$3.65RON 16.60
-40.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.0K
$8.40RON 38.24
-46.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.0K
$6.17RON 28.07
-6.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 27.9K
$8.99RON 40.92
-0.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,232
$1.21RON 5.52
91.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,318
$1.66RON 7.56
-36.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,725
$1.67RON 7.59
-8.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,226
$1.84RON 8.38
-26.09%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,515
$1.02RON 4.63
10.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,651
$1.12RON 5.09
4.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,809
$0.91RON 4.13
-1.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,794
$0.78RON 3.55
15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 6,961
$5.67RON 25.80
-60.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 37.8K
$5.55RON 25.27
118.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,704
$0.94RON 4.26
26.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,735
$1.33RON 6.06
86.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Galati
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,660
$0.59RON 2.71
44.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 129.7K
$26.87RON 122
54.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,413
$0.72RON 3.29
97.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,078
$0.61RON 2.78
219.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.6K
$7.77RON 35.36
1.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,086
$1.52RON 6.90
-34.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 54.8M
$27.5KRON 125.0K
-35.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 83.5M
$26.5KRON 120.8K
0.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 258.7K
$160RON 730
-48.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.2K
$8.37RON 38.08
15.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 73.3K
$8.44RON 38.40
178.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 78.7K
$33.86RON 154
-25.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 59.5K
$37.67RON 171
-49.30%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.3K
$6.76RON 30.75
-41.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 984.0K
$665RON 3,028
-52.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.6M
$5,516RON 25.1K
8.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 187.0K
$101RON 458
-40.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 99.1K
$35.52RON 162
-10.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 316.8K
$63.6RON 289
59.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 334.8K
$95.8RON 436
12.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Galati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$429RON 1,952
10.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$349RON 1,589
7.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.6M
$640RON 2,915
32.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.2M
$540RON 2,458
33.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.2M
$1,618RON 7,365
101.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$1,250RON 5,691
15.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Galati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 1.9M
$1,001RON 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.