Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and IasiCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Iasi
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,137 in Iasi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,720 in Iasi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,303 in Iasi, rent included.
πMedellin is about 11% cheaper than Iasi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Iasi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Iasi15% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$10.52RONΒ 47.59
-43.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$51.4RONΒ 232
-36.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$6.73RONΒ 30.46
5.35%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$2.68RONΒ 12.13
-36.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$2.08RONΒ 9.39
-47.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$1.74RONΒ 7.88
-55.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$2.46RONΒ 11.12
-31.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.42RONΒ 15.47
-10.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.40RONΒ 6.33
-22.14%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.22RONΒ 5.51
3.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.87RONΒ 8.45
-26.20%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$3.21RONΒ 14.51
-31.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.95RONΒ 35.98
-44.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$6.70RONΒ 30.32
-15.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$10.99RONΒ 49.71
-19.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.24RONΒ 5.61
88.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.62RONΒ 7.33
-34.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.73RONΒ 7.84
-13.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$1.97RONΒ 8.90
-29.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.99RONΒ 4.48
16.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$1.05RONΒ 4.73
10.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.04RONΒ 4.68
-14.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.86RONΒ 3.89
-2.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$6.37RONΒ 28.85
-64.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$6.61RONΒ 29.92
60.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.09RONΒ 4.95
10.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$1.98RONΒ 8.96
24.75%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.85RONΒ 3.84
1.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$27.13RONΒ 123
52.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$0.89RONΒ 4.03
65.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.70RONΒ 3.16
180.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$7.84RONΒ 35.48
-1.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.66RONΒ 7.51
-42.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$28.5KRONΒ 129.2K
-36.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$27.3KRONΒ 123.7K
-3.12%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$156RONΒ 708
-47.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$8.47RONΒ 38.35
12.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$10.21RONΒ 46.22
137.32%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$47.10RONΒ 213
-45.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$18.25RONΒ 82.6
4.11%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$8.17RONΒ 36.99
-51.90%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$463RONΒ 2,095
-33.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$7,028RONΒ 31.8K
-15.12%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$62.3RONΒ 282
-5.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$42.79RONΒ 194
-24.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$86.4RONΒ 391
18.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$86.9RONΒ 393
24.75%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$474RONΒ 2,147
0.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$361RONΒ 1,635
4.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$750RONΒ 3,395
11.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$550RONΒ 2,491
31.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$3,076RONΒ 13.9K
-9.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,997RONΒ 9,036
-39.33%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Iasi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,191RONΒ 5,389
-57.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.37
82.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Iasi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $474 in Iasi. 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 133% higher in Iasi, 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 $51.0 in Iasi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $212 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 Iasi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Iasi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $1,137 in Iasi β roughly 12% apart. Iasi costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Iasi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,706 in Iasi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Iasi?
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 do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Iasi?
Public transport costs about 53% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Iasi?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $463 in Iasi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Iasi at $1,137. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Iasi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Iasi?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $1,137 in Iasi. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Iasi safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Iasi?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Iasi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.