😐A single person spends $1,687 per month in Medellin vs $58.7 in Homa Bay, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,535 per month in Medellin vs $453 in Homa Bay, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,383 per month in Medellin vs $848 in Homa Bay, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 2775% more than Homa Bay, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 23% above the global median, while Homa Bay is 96% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89COP 24.2K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53COP 136.5K
$148KES 19.1K
-69.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.29COP 28.5K
$10.50KES 1,359
-11.52%
Cappuccino
$2.90COP 8,874
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81COP 5,541
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55COP 4,741
$1.03KES 133
50.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25COP 9,962
$2.48KES 321
31.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88COP 18.0K
$5.14KES 665
14.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,230
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.45COP 7,517
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,617
-
-
Eggs
$2.78COP 8,516
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05COP 27.7K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65COP 32.6K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.63COP 44.8K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.97COP 12.2K
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,219
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,056
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02COP 6,185
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.09COP 6,390
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.63COP 4,996
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08COP 3,313
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25COP 3,843
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03COP 12.4K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47COP 41.3K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60COP 4,904
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00COP 9,189
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,611
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$79.9COP 244.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.61COP 4,920
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13COP 6,533
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.52COP 26.1K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35COP 4,142
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151COP 463.8K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10COP 40.1K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30COP 99.0K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.33COP 141.9K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26COP 52.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.43COP 19.7K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835COP 2.6M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,887COP 27.2M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3COP 273.7K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3COP 169.5K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$137COP 418.5K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 335.1K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$952COP 2.9M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$668COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,020COP 6.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,148COP 3.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,696COP 11.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,586COP 4.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Homa Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$625COP 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Last update for Homa Bay: August 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Medellin versus $148 in Homa Bay. Use this as a proxy for overall food spending across the two cities.
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 Homa Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Homa Bay cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 2775%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,530 per month in Medellin and $88.0 in Homa Bay. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Homa Bay?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,687 in Medellin and $58.7 in Homa Bay. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Homa Bay?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Medellin and $148 in Homa Bay. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Homa Bay?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Homa Bay, where all-in costs run around $58.7, than in Medellin at $1,687. In Homa Bay it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Homa Bay more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Homa Bay – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Homa Bay?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Homa Bay. 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.