🙂A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $2,301 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $3,345 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $4,389 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 56% cheaper than Hay River, NT, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 25% below the global median, while Hay River, NT is 73% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.4K
$16.86CA$23.63
-64.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 102.7K
$70.7CA$99.1
-53.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.1K
$10.83CA$15.17
-31.39%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,153
$3.83CA$5.37
-56.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,432
$2.04CA$2.85
-46.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,433
$1.65CA$2.31
-52.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,356
$5.66CA$7.93
-69.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 9,904
$5.91CA$8.28
-46.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,439
$2.17CA$3.04
-49.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,921
$2.73CA$3.82
-53.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,304
$3.53CA$4.95
-60.91%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,788
$3.47CA$4.87
-37.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.0K
$11.20CA$15.69
-59.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.0K
$11.58CA$16.22
-50.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 27.9K
$14.68CA$20.57
-38.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,232
$3.95CA$5.54
-41.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,318
$1.41CA$1.98
-24.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,725
$3.72CA$5.22
-59.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,226
$3.87CA$5.42
-64.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,515
$2.42CA$3.39
-53.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,651
$2.49CA$3.49
-53.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,809
$2.59CA$3.63
-65.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,794
$1.72CA$2.42
-47.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 6,961
$13.78CA$19.30
-83.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 37.8K
$12.63CA$17.70
-4.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,704
$2.90CA$4.07
-58.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,735
$3.15CA$4.41
-21.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,660
$2.31CA$3.24
-63.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 129.7K
$63.7CA$89.2
-34.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,413
$3.18CA$4.46
-55.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,078
$1.49CA$2.08
30.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.6K
$25.44CA$35.64
-68.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,086
$1.12CA$1.56
-11.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 54.8M
$25.2KCA$35.3K
-30.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 83.5M
$20.5KCA$28.7K
30.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 258.7K
$141CA$197
-41.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.2K
$44.07CA$61.7
-77.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 73.3K
$62.1CA$87.0
-62.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 78.7K
$42.25CA$59.2
-40.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 59.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.3K
$11.21CA$15.71
-64.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 984.0K
$733CA$1,027
-56.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.6M
$12.0KCA$16.8K
-50.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 187.0K
$55.3CA$77.5
8.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 99.1K
$38.97CA$54.6
-18.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 316.8K
$85.9CA$120
18.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 334.8K
$106CA$148
1.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,309CA$1,835
-63.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,181CA$1,654
-68.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.6M
$2,037CA$2,854
-58.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.2M
$1,792CA$2,511
-59.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.2M
$4,594CA$6,436
-28.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$4,110CA$5,758
-64.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 1.9M
$4,244CA$5,946
-85.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.46
107.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Hay River, NT: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $1,309 in Hay River, NT. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 580% higher in Hay River, NT, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $71.0 in Hay River, NT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $364 – 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 Hay River, NT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Hay River, NT?
Hay River, NT costs about 130% 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 and in Hay River, NT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $3,452 in Hay River, NT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Hay River, NT?
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 Hay River, NT?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $2,301 in Hay River, NT. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Medellin compared to Hay River, NT?
Public transport costs about 53% 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 in Hay River, NT?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Hay River, NT at $2,301. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hay River, NT it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Hay River, NT?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,003 versus $2,301 in Hay River, NT. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or to Hay River, NT?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hay River, NT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.