πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $737 in Goiana.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,227 in Goiana.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,717 in Goiana.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 37% more expensive than Goiana, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Goiana45% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$5.79R$28.96
3.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$35.77R$179
-8.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.37R$31.87
11.30%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.75R$8.78
-2.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.17R$5.83
-5.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.67R$3.36
16.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.59R$7.98
5.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.11R$10.54
45.50%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.11R$5.55
-1.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.25R$6.24
0.80%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.02R$5.09
35.29%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.83R$9.14
19.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.45R$32.29
-31.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$3.57R$17.88
57.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$6.28R$31.40
41.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.13R$10.64
9.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$0.88R$4.43
20.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$0.87R$4.33
72.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.17R$5.87
17.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.00R$4.98
15.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.03R$5.15
12.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.52R$2.61
71.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.52R$2.60
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$1.61R$8.05
41.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.98R$39.95
33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.28R$6.40
-6.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.54R$12.69
-2.76%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.87R$4.38
-1.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$38.44R$192
7.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.94R$4.73
56.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.62R$3.09
216.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$10.80R$54.0
-28.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.92R$4.62
3.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$21.3KR$106.4K
-14.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$31.4KR$157.0K
-15.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$43.32R$217
89.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$12.44R$62.3
-23.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$18.71R$93.6
29.50%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$22.74R$114
13.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$21.49R$108
-11.59%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.63R$33.16
-40.72%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$117R$587
163.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$4,264R$21.3K
39.90%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$60.1R$301
-2.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$42.40R$212
-23.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$55.9R$280
83.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$71.2R$356
52.25%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$314R$1,570
51.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$214R$1,070
77.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$577R$2,889
45.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$436R$2,183
65.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,777R$8,893
57.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,172R$5,866
3.34%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Goiana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$606R$3,031
-15.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12
11.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Goiana: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $314 in Goiana. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Goiana pays 18% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $36.00 in Goiana. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $157, with Goiana cheaper for home cooking.
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 Goiana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Goiana?
Medellin and Goiana differ by about 37% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $737 including rent). Goiana is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Goiana earns 18% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Goiana?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $314 in Goiana. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Goiana β a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Goiana?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $737 in Goiana β a 37% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $737 in Goiana versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Goiana but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Goiana the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Goiana?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Goiana?
Expats usually find Goiana gentler on the wallet β expenses run 37% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.