Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Hay River, NT

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,692 a month against $2,243 in Hay River, NT, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Hay River, NT, Canada
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Hay River, NT
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,243
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Hay River, NT

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Hay River, NT actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $2,243 in Hay River, NT, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Hay River, NT $2,243

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $3,217 in Hay River, NT, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Hay River, NT $3,217

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $4,192 in Hay River, NT, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Hay River, NT $4,192

Medellin is about 25% cheaper than Hay River, NT, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Hay River, NT sit above the global median – Medellin by 25%, Hay River, NT by 66%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 26.9K
$17.96 CA$25.26
-53.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 150.3K
$65.3 CA$91.9
-28.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.6K
$10.55 CA$14.84
-10.24%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.1K
$3.76 CA$5.28
-16.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,704
$1.98 CA$2.79
-10.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,600
$1.68 CA$2.37
-15.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.2K
$5.07 CA$7.13
-37.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.4K
$5.54 CA$7.79
2.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,949
$2.10 CA$2.95
-27.14%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,399
$2.47 CA$3.48
-7.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,281
$3.50 CA$4.92
-44.57%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,902
$3.45 CA$4.86
-11.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.3K
$10.10 CA$14.20
-1.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.7K
$11.64 CA$16.38
-10.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 45.1K
$14.78 CA$20.79
-5.55%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.1K
$3.81 CA$5.35
6.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,936
$1.36 CA$1.92
12.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,795
$3.77 CA$5.30
-44.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,407
$3.90 CA$5.48
-41.28%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,812
$2.45 CA$3.45
-13.88%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,519
$2.17 CA$3.05
-21.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,779
$2.47 CA$3.47
-52.63%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,102
$1.58 CA$2.22
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.6K
$14.41 CA$20.27
-72.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.4K
$12.85 CA$18.08
9.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,689
$2.84 CA$3.99
-38.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,758
$3.19 CA$4.48
-15.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,810
$2.38 CA$3.34
-50.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 246.4K
$63.3 CA$89.0
20.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,835
$2.86 CA$4.02
-36.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,876
$1.43 CA$2.01
48.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.3K
$23.34 CA$32.83
-65.17%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,118
$1.22 CA$1.71
4.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 111.2M
$27.9K CA$39.2K
23.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.2M
$21.6K CA$30.3K
58.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 573.9K
$136 CA$191
31.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 44.8K
$38.85 CA$54.6
-64.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 99.3K
$54.2 CA$76.3
-43.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 135.4K
$37.47 CA$52.7
11.93%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.3K
$18.40 CA$25.88
-8.70%
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.1K
$10.83 CA$15.23
-31.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.6M
$641 CA$901
23.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.7M
$13.5K CA$19.0K
-8.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 278.8K
$55.4 CA$77.8
55.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 191.4K
$39.28 CA$55.2
50.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 446.7K
$85.3 CA$120
62.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 319.1K
$105 CA$147
-5.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
$1,143 CA$1,608
17.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.2M
$1,118 CA$1,572
-40.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
$1,980 CA$2,784
-0.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
$1,645 CA$2,313
-37.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.2M
$4,323 CA$6,079
-5.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.3M
$3,528 CA$4,962
-45.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hay River, NT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
$4,215 CA$5,928
-84.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.68
133.76%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Hay River, NT: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Hay River, NT
$1.1K 67.5% $451
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Hay River, NT
$355 15.5% $48
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Hay River, NT
$229 2.8% $6.3
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Hay River, NT
$272 57.3% $99
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Hay River, NT
$128 25.6% $44
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Hay River, NT
$83 11.4% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Hay River, NT
$59 4% $2.3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,341 in Medellin versus $1,143 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 in Hay River, NT are about 6.5 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $65 in Hay River, NT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $307 vs $355 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇨🇦 Hay River, NT
🕒 Local time
10:44 10:44 AM
09:44 9:44 AM
1 h behind Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
3,600
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 3,229 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,627 COP (10,000 COP = 2.76 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.711 USD). 1 EUR = 1.58 CAD (1 CAD = 0.633 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Hay River, NT 6,920 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Hay River, NT

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 33% more than Medellin, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 and in Hay River, NT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Medellin and $3,364 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 Hay River, NT, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,143 there versus $1,341 in Medellin.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Hay River, NT?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,692 in Medellin and $2,243 in Hay River, NT. That makes Medellin about 25% cheaper.
How expensive is transport in Medellin compared to Hay River, NT?
Public transport costs about 17% less in Hay River, NT. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Hay River, NT?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,692 in Medellin and $2,243 in Hay River, NT, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Medellin or Hay River, NT?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,692 in Medellin to $2,243 in Hay River, NT. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Medellin or to Hay River, NT?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hay River, NT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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