πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,046 in Haapsalu.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,677 in Haapsalu.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,308 in Haapsalu.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 3% less than in Haapsalu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Haapsalu22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$17.49β¬15.07
-65.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$69.8β¬60.1
-52.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.94β¬8.56
-27.26%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.67β¬3.17
-55.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.48β¬2.14
-56.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.83β¬2.44
-74.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.22β¬4.50
-66.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$5.87β¬5.05
-44.97%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.27β¬1.09
-17.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.47β¬1.26
-12.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.37β¬2.04
-44.30%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.86β¬2.47
-20.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$12.47β¬10.74
-65.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$8.47β¬7.30
-30.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.44β¬9.86
-24.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.98β¬1.70
13.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.56β¬1.34
-31.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.01β¬1.73
-24.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.23β¬1.92
-36.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.04β¬0.90
12.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.63β¬0.54
85.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.79β¬1.55
-50.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.01β¬0.87
-10.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.45β¬5.56
-65.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.80β¬9.30
2.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.93β¬1.66
-40.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.16β¬1.86
10.19%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$3.31β¬2.85
-57.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.69β¬0.59
175.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$19.88β¬17.13
-61.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.86β¬1.60
-45.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$23.0Kβ¬19.8K
-23.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$22.1Kβ¬19.1K
19.76%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$271β¬233
-69.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$22.65β¬19.52
-58.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$35.53β¬30.61
-32.14%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$31.30β¬26.97
-38.85%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.59β¬9.98
-64.62%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$116β¬100
168.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$8,219β¬7,081
-27.08%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$119β¬103
-51.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$39.94β¬34.41
-18.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$97.4β¬84.0
2.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$94.6β¬81.5
14.77%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,867β¬1,608
52.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,501β¬1,293
-18.51%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Haapsalu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,449β¬1,248
-62.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
2
571.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Haapsalu: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Haapsalu pays 168% 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 $70.0 in Haapsalu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $260 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 Haapsalu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Haapsalu?
Medellin and Haapsalu differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $1,046 including rent). Medellin 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, Haapsalu earns 168% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 37% higher in Haapsalu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Haapsalu?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,046 in Haapsalu β a 3% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,046 in Haapsalu, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Haapsalu. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Haapsalu?
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.
Is Medellin or Haapsalu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Haapsalu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Haapsalu?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3% less than in Haapsalu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.