πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,536 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,133 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,730 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 34% less than in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod is 14% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$8.12KΔΒ 169
-26.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$42.09KΔΒ 875
-20.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.49KΔΒ 135
11.40%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.43KΔΒ 71.2
-52.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.71KΔΒ 35.51
-36.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.66KΔΒ 34.53
-56.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.06KΔΒ 42.80
-15.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.59KΔΒ 53.9
24.71%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.71KΔΒ 14.77
47.89%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.55KΔΒ 32.21
-16.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.50KΔΒ 52.1
-47.20%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.76KΔΒ 57.3
-17.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.08KΔΒ 147
-38.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.79KΔΒ 99.6
22.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$5.69KΔΒ 118
51.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.69KΔΒ 14.31
226.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.87KΔΒ 38.99
-42.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.22KΔΒ 46.22
-31.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$3.47KΔΒ 72.2
-59.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.38KΔΒ 28.79
-15.22%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.94KΔΒ 19.58
24.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.45KΔΒ 9.45
97.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.86KΔΒ 17.93
4.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.84KΔΒ 101
-53.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.20KΔΒ 150
53.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.96KΔΒ 19.87
18.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.24KΔΒ 46.56
6.25%
π Getting Around
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.19KΔΒ 24.84
-29.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$25.56KΔΒ 531
64.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.83KΔΒ 37.96
-22.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.86KΔΒ 17.85
120.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$16.57KΔΒ 345
-53.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.69KΔΒ 35.08
-40.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.8KKΔΒ 578.9K
-36.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.6KKΔΒ 595.5K
-7.48%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$310KΔΒ 6,452
-73.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$26.52KΔΒ 551
-64.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$21.73KΔΒ 452
10.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$54.7KΔΒ 1,138
-53.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.57KΔΒ 345
15.51%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.00KΔΒ 125
-31.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$420KΔΒ 8,732
-25.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$14.5KKΔΒ 301.2K
-58.63%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$84.6KΔΒ 1,759
-31.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$36.55KΔΒ 760
-10.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$98.6KΔΒ 2,050
1.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$129KΔΒ 2,687
-16.00%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$669KΔΒ 13.9K
-27.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$558KΔΒ 11.6K
-31.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,149KΔΒ 23.9K
-27.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$851KΔΒ 17.7K
-15.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$4,733KΔΒ 98.4K
-40.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$3,262KΔΒ 67.8K
-62.50%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,463KΔΒ 30.4K
-63.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.84
177.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $669 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod pays 171% 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 $42.00 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $189, with HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod 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 HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 51% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod?
On paper, HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod earns 171% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $669 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod?
Shoppers in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod pay roughly 1% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $42.00 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,536 in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 51% less than in HavlΓΔkΕ―v Brod. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.