Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Gilgit

For one person, living is cheaper in Gilgit: $447 a month against $1,692 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $14,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Gilgit, Pakistan
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Gilgit
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$447
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Gilgit

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 Gilgit actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $447 in Gilgit, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Gilgit $447

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $670 in Gilgit, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Gilgit $670

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $894 in Gilgit, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Gilgit $894

Medellin costs about 279% more than Gilgit, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 25% above the global median, while Gilgit is 67% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 26.8K
$1.49 PKR 411
459.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 149.7K
$10.71 PKR 2,962
334.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.5K
$5.32 PKR 1,473
78.01%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.50 PKR 690
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.09 PKR 1,407
-
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.1K
$1.59 PKR 441
96.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,681
$0.32 PKR 88.2
453.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,582
$0.23 PKR 62.7
517.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.1K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.3K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,930
$0.81 PKR 223
88.89%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,370
$0.62 PKR 172
269.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,257
$1.13 PKR 312
71.68%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,864
$1.15 PKR 317
166.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.1K
$5.63 PKR 1,557
77.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.6K
$2.46 PKR 681
324.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 44.9K
$4.84 PKR 1,339
188.43%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.0K
$1.12 PKR 309
261.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,916
$0.58 PKR 160
163.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,769
$0.78 PKR 216
169.23%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,378
$0.52 PKR 143
340.38%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,785
$0.28 PKR 77.3
653.57%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,498
$0.38 PKR 106
350.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,764
$0.43 PKR 119
172.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,083
$0.38 PKR 104
315.79%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.89 PKR 522
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.09 PKR 303
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.44 PKR 674
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.6K
$1.97 PKR 545
98.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.2K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,667
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,724
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,795
$0.16 PKR 43.69
637.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 245.4K
$10.05 PKR 2,781
659.10%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,812
$1.07 PKR 295
69.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,849
$0.71 PKR 196
200.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.2K
$1.62 PKR 448
401.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,102
$1.17 PKR 325
9.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 110.8M
$22.0K PKR 6.1M
56.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.8M
$23.2K PKR 6.4M
46.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 571.7K
$101 PKR 27.8K
76.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 44.7K
$5.66 PKR 1,567
145.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 98.9K
$14.23 PKR 3,936
116.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 134.9K
$14.85 PKR 4,107
182.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.0K
$7.85 PKR 2,173
114.01%
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.0K
$4.25 PKR 1,176
75.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$42.28 PKR 11.7K
1768.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.6M
$1,047 PKR 289.7K
1074.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 277.7K
$16.72 PKR 4,625
416.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 190.6K
$22.58 PKR 6,246
162.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 445.0K
$67.5 PKR 18.7K
104.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 317.8K
$32.35 PKR 8,948
205.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
$134 PKR 37.2K
897.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.1M
$86.0 PKR 23.8K
676.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
$272 PKR 75.2K
626.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
$178 PKR 49.2K
481.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.2M
$810 PKR 224.2K
405.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.2M
$499 PKR 138.0K
288.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Gilgit
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
13
-15.85%

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

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Gilgit: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Gilgit
$86 87.1% $581
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Gilgit
$90 70.8% $218
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Gilgit
$120 45.8% $102
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Gilgit
$49 71.5% $123
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Gilgit
$63 63.6% $110
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Gilgit
$15 83.6% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Gilgit
$23 59% $34

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,341 in Medellin versus $134 in Gilgit. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $11 in Gilgit. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $307 vs $90 – making Gilgit the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇵🇰 Gilgit
🕒 Local time
15:54 3:54 PM
01:54 1:54 AM
10 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
216,760
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3,217 COP (10,000 COP = 3.11 USD). 1 EUR = 3,611 COP (10,000 COP = 2.77 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.22 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Gilgit 14,370 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Gilgit

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 Gilgit: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Gilgit?
Medellin costs about 279% more than Gilgit, 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 Gilgit?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Medellin and $670 in Gilgit. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Gilgit?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gilgit, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $134 there versus $1,341 in Medellin.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Gilgit?
Groceries cost about 243% more in Medellin, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Gilgit?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $11 in Gilgit. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Medellin or in Gilgit?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Gilgit, where all-in costs run around $447, than in Medellin at $1,692. In Gilgit 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 Gilgit – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Gilgit is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 74% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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