πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $2,335 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,416 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $4,497 in Hay River, NT, rent included.
πMedellin is about 56% cheaper than Hay River, NT, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Hay River, NT is 74% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$16.82CA$23.49
-64.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$69.4CA$96.9
-51.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.82CA$15.12
-33.18%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.74CA$5.23
-56.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.99CA$2.78
-45.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.65CA$2.30
-55.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.59CA$7.81
-68.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$5.82CA$8.13
-44.50%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$2.11CA$2.95
-50.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$2.69CA$3.76
-52.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.68CA$5.14
-64.13%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.38CA$4.72
-32.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.09CA$15.49
-60.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$11.52CA$16.09
-48.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$14.82CA$20.70
-41.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$4.15CA$5.80
-45.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.42CA$1.98
-24.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$3.69CA$5.16
-58.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$3.74CA$5.22
-62.03%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$2.38CA$3.32
-50.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$2.47CA$3.44
-52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.61CA$3.64
-65.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.80CA$2.51
-50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$13.97CA$19.51
-83.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$12.45CA$17.38
-11.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.93CA$4.09
-61.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$3.11CA$4.34
-23.47%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$2.31CA$3.22
-63.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$62.3CA$87.0
-32.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$3.24CA$4.52
-56.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.50CA$2.10
26.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$25.42CA$35.49
-69.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.12CA$1.56
-9.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$24.9KCA$34.8K
-29.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$20.7KCA$28.9K
28.08%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$141CA$196
-40.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$43.94CA$61.4
-78.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$63.0CA$88.0
-61.75%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$41.96CA$58.6
-39.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.59CA$16.19
-64.62%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$747CA$1,043
-58.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$11.7KCA$16.3K
-48.64%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$53.4CA$74.5
8.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$39.21CA$54.8
-16.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$87.3CA$122
14.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$105CA$147
3.08%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,311CA$1,831
-63.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$1,193CA$1,666
-68.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$2,006CA$2,802
-58.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,781CA$2,487
-59.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$4,961CA$6,927
-42.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$4,294CA$5,997
-71.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$4,308CA$6,016
-87.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.46
107.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Hay River, NT: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $1,311 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.
π°Salaries run about 697% higher in Hay River, NT, 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 $69.0 in Hay River, NT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $364 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 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 vs Hay River, NT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $3,503 in Hay River, NT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β 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 $1,017 in Medellin and $2,335 in Hay River, NT. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs Hay River, NT?
Public transport costs about 48% 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 Hay River, NT?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Hay River, NT at $2,335. 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 $1,017 versus $2,335 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 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.