πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $2,539 in Haugesund, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $3,748 in Haugesund, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $4,957 in Haugesund, rent included.
πMedellin is about 60% cheaper than Haugesund, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 23% below the global median, while Haugesund is 90% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$21.68NOKΒ 205
-72.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$102NOKΒ 962
-67.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$13.49NOKΒ 128
-45.00%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$4.59NOKΒ 43.43
-64.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$3.19NOKΒ 30.19
-66.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$2.95NOKΒ 27.91
-74.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$11.09NOKΒ 105
-84.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$9.35NOKΒ 88.6
-65.78%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$2.10NOKΒ 19.90
-50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$3.45NOKΒ 32.68
-62.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$2.88NOKΒ 27.32
-53.47%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$4.63NOKΒ 43.90
-52.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$11.17NOKΒ 106
-60.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$14.45NOKΒ 137
-60.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$27.54NOKΒ 261
-69.06%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$2.97NOKΒ 28.18
-21.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$2.11NOKΒ 20.02
-47.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$3.60NOKΒ 34.07
-57.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$4.24NOKΒ 40.12
-67.69%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$2.68NOKΒ 25.41
-57.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$2.91NOKΒ 27.56
-59.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$2.82NOKΒ 26.71
-70.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$2.12NOKΒ 20.12
-59.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$16.00NOKΒ 152
-85.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$14.65NOKΒ 139
-20.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$3.38NOKΒ 32.06
-64.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$4.42NOKΒ 41.88
-43.89%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$3.50NOKΒ 33.12
-77.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
$65.0NOKΒ 616
-37.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$14.20NOKΒ 135
-89.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$1.51NOKΒ 14.27
27.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$53.9NOKΒ 511
-85.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$2.24NOKΒ 21.25
-54.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$35.6KNOKΒ 337.6K
-50.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$39.2KNOKΒ 371.3K
-32.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$245NOKΒ 2,323
-66.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$38.38NOKΒ 364
-75.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$55.7NOKΒ 527
-57.12%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$45.30NOKΒ 429
-42.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
$35.81NOKΒ 339
-47.75%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$16.62NOKΒ 157
-75.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$288NOKΒ 2,729
9.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$2,881NOKΒ 27.3K
108.99%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$82.6NOKΒ 783
-27.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$55.1NOKΒ 522
-42.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$92.8NOKΒ 879
9.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$147NOKΒ 1,391
-28.42%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$1,607NOKΒ 15.2K
-69.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$1,013NOKΒ 9,599
-63.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$2,029NOKΒ 19.2K
-59.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$1,543NOKΒ 14.6K
-52.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
$4,432NOKΒ 42.0K
-32.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
$4,645NOKΒ 44.0K
-71.71%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Haugesund
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$3,603NOKΒ 34.1K
-84.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.98
237.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Haugesund: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $1,607 in Haugesund. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 554% higher in Haugesund, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $102 in Haugesund. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $443 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 Haugesund: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Haugesund?
Haugesund costs about 147% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Haugesund?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,542 per month in Medellin and $3,808 in Haugesund. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Haugesund?
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.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Haugesund?
Groceries cost about 133% more in Haugesund, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Haugesund?
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Haugesund?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Haugesund at $2,539. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Haugesund it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Haugesund?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,028 versus $2,539 in Haugesund. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to Haugesund?
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 Haugesund?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Haugesund makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.