πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,805 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,811 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $3,817 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand, rent included.
πMedellin is about 44% cheaper than HΓ€rnΓΆsand, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while HΓ€rnΓΆsand is 34% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$13.37SEKΒ 125
-55.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$74.8SEKΒ 702
-55.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.43SEKΒ 97.8
-30.68%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.54SEKΒ 42.58
-64.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.74SEKΒ 25.73
-60.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.37SEKΒ 22.22
-69.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$7.67SEKΒ 71.9
-77.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.51SEKΒ 70.4
-56.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.67SEKΒ 15.63
-37.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$2.75SEKΒ 25.84
-53.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.93SEKΒ 36.88
-66.41%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.21SEKΒ 39.53
-46.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$12.07SEKΒ 113
-63.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$11.92SEKΒ 112
-50.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$17.31SEKΒ 162
-50.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.07SEKΒ 28.82
-26.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.67SEKΒ 25.04
-59.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$3.03SEKΒ 28.46
-49.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.31SEKΒ 40.41
-67.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.62SEKΒ 15.23
-27.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.86SEKΒ 17.45
-37.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.59SEKΒ 24.26
-65.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.51SEKΒ 14.21
-40.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.30SEKΒ 68.4
-69.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.92SEKΒ 102
1.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.98SEKΒ 18.59
-42.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.96SEKΒ 18.40
21.43%
π Getting Around
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$3.37SEKΒ 31.58
-75.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$73.4SEKΒ 689
-42.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$6.45SEKΒ 60.5
-78.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.64SEKΒ 15.35
15.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$62.1SEKΒ 583
-87.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.90SEKΒ 17.86
-46.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.3KSEKΒ 302.9K
-45.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.9KSEKΒ 317.9K
-21.83%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$113SEKΒ 1,059
-25.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$28.99SEKΒ 272
-67.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$35.90SEKΒ 337
-32.84%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$41.22SEKΒ 387
-38.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$25.69SEKΒ 241
-25.50%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$15.73SEKΒ 148
-73.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$149SEKΒ 1,394
109.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$4,205SEKΒ 39.4K
42.51%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$95.9SEKΒ 900
-39.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$41.38SEKΒ 388
-21.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$96.6SEKΒ 906
3.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$151SEKΒ 1,419
-28.24%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$836SEKΒ 7,844
-42.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$643SEKΒ 6,028
-40.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,382SEKΒ 13.0K
-39.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,097SEKΒ 10.3K
-34.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,813SEKΒ 35.8K
-25.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,804SEKΒ 26.3K
-56.38%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
HΓ€rnΓΆsand
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.53
196.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for HΓ€rnΓΆsand: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $836 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $75.0 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $362 β 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 HΓ€rnΓΆsand: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
HΓ€rnΓΆsand costs about 78% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $2,707 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
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.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,805 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
Public transport costs about 75% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in HΓ€rnΓΆsand at $1,805. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in HΓ€rnΓΆsand it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,017 versus $1,805 in HΓ€rnΓΆsand. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Medellin or HΓ€rnΓΆsand?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, HΓ€rnΓΆsand makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.