πA single person spends $1,014 per month in Medellin vs $701 in Hohhot, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,596 per month in Medellin vs $1,119 in Hohhot, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,178 per month in Medellin vs $1,537 in Hohhot, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 45% more than Hohhot, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Hohhot are more affordable than the global median β Medellin25% lower, Hohhot48% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.14COPΒ 22.1K
$2.81Β₯19.22
118.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.05COPΒ 119.0K
$21.16Β₯145
56.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.32COPΒ 26.4K
$8.02Β₯54.8
-8.73%
Cappuccino
$1.66COPΒ 5,973
$3.34Β₯22.81
-50.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,978
$0.46Β₯3.14
139.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,816
$0.29Β₯1.98
168.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.71COPΒ 6,174
$0.88Β₯5.99
94.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COPΒ 11.4K
$2.64Β₯18.00
20.08%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11COPΒ 4,003
$2.51Β₯17.14
-55.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,709
$1.16Β₯7.92
12.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,969
$1.09Β₯7.46
26.61%
Eggs
$2.22COPΒ 7,992
$1.32Β₯9.03
68.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.34COPΒ 15.6K
$12.29Β₯83.9
-64.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.9K
$3.10Β₯21.18
87.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.98COPΒ 32.3K
$12.08Β₯82.5
-25.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.26COPΒ 8,146
$1.41Β₯9.66
60.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 4,014
$0.94Β₯6.45
18.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46COPΒ 5,273
$1.43Β₯9.76
2.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,918
$0.51Β₯3.50
168.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 4,000
$0.62Β₯4.26
79.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,190
$0.92Β₯6.26
26.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,204
$0.61Β₯4.20
45.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87COPΒ 3,117
$0.46Β₯3.14
89.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,476
$3.17Β₯21.65
-25.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.86COPΒ 39.1K
$10.54Β₯72.0
3.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,321
$0.75Β₯5.15
60.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,927
$1.44Β₯9.85
72.22%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,836
$0.14Β₯0.94
464.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.77COPΒ 146.8K
$16.48Β₯113
147.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COPΒ 5,125
$1.09Β₯7.42
30.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,885
$0.22Β₯1.51
768.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.65COPΒ 27.6K
$6.59Β₯45.00
16.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97COPΒ 3,482
$1.19Β₯8.13
-18.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$19.5KΒ₯133.5K
-7.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KCOPΒ 94.8M
$16.7KΒ₯113.9K
57.73%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.3COPΒ 292.9K
$37.90Β₯259
114.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.63COPΒ 34.7K
$9.86Β₯67.3
-2.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.36COPΒ 87.8K
$11.59Β₯79.2
110.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.02COPΒ 93.7K
$31.04Β₯212
-16.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92COPΒ 68.1K
$13.82Β₯94.4
36.90%
Cinema Ticket
$3.89COPΒ 14.0K
$4.73Β₯32.31
-17.76%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$304COPΒ 1.1M
$338Β₯2,310
-10.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,902COPΒ 21.3M
$17.1KΒ₯116.7K
-65.46%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 211.4K
$54.9Β₯375
6.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.48COPΒ 117.0K
$23.89Β₯163
35.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COPΒ 366.5K
$75.7Β₯517
34.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$75.1Β₯513
44.00%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$474COPΒ 1.7M
$191Β₯1,305
148.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$188Β₯1,286
96.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$848COPΒ 3.1M
$595Β₯4,062
42.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$356Β₯2,428
101.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,871COPΒ 10.3M
$3,208Β₯21.9K
-10.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,375COPΒ 5.0M
$1,151Β₯7,864
19.46%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hohhot
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$542COPΒ 2.0M
$810Β₯5,532
-33.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.87
247.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 13, 2026
Last update for Hohhot: April 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $474 in Medellin versus $191 in Hohhot. 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 50% higher in Hohhot, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Medellin versus $21 in Hohhot. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $195 in Hohhot β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Hohhot: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Hohhot compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,014 in Medellin, $701 in Hohhot β roughly 45% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Hohhot?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,522 per month in Medellin and $1,051 in Hohhot. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Hohhot?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hohhot, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hohhot, where all-in costs run around $701, than in Medellin at $1,014. In Hohhot it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Hohhot?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $701 in Hohhot to $1,014 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Hohhot?
If budget matters most, go with Hohhot. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.