Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ibra

For one person, living is cheaper in Ibra: $981 a month against $1,692 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $8,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Ibra, Oman
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Ibra
🇴🇲 Oman
$981
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Ibra

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 Ibra actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $981 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Ibra $981

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $1,480 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Ibra $1,480

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $1,979 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Ibra $1,979

Medellin costs about 72% more than Ibra, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Medellin sits 25% above the global median, while Ibra is 27% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 27.0K
$5.06 OMR 1.95
64.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 150.9K
$38.86 OMR 14.96
19.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.7K
$7.69 OMR 2.96
23.15%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.2K
$5.08 OMR 1.96
-38.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,727
$0.92 OMR 0.35
92.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,619
$0.27 OMR 0.10
425.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.2K
$12.83 OMR 4.94
-75.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.5K
$13.09 OMR 5.04
-56.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,969
$2.36 OMR 0.91
-35.17%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,429
$1.19 OMR 0.46
92.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,306
$1.92 OMR 0.74
1.04%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,942
$2.97 OMR 1.14
3.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.4K
$7.29 OMR 2.81
37.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.9K
$6.95 OMR 2.68
50.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 45.3K
$10.13 OMR 3.90
37.81%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.1K
$3.56 OMR 1.37
13.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,956
$1.97 OMR 0.76
-22.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,823
$2.42 OMR 0.93
-13.22%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,437
$1.31 OMR 0.50
74.81%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,839
$1.17 OMR 0.45
80.34%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,542
$1.23 OMR 0.47
39.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,794
$1.81 OMR 0.70
-35.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,123
$0.70 OMR 0.27
125.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.7K
$6.54 OMR 2.52
-40.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.5K
$15.65 OMR 6.02
-10.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,712
$6.04 OMR 2.33
-70.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,793
$10.29 OMR 3.96
-73.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,825
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 247.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,859
$3.33 OMR 1.28
-45.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,904
$2.54 OMR 0.98
-16.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.4K
$7.67 OMR 2.95
6.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,135
$0.64 OMR 0.25
100.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 111.7M
$24.9K OMR 9,584
38.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.7M
$20.7K OMR 7,978
64.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 576.3K
$181 OMR 69.7
-1.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 45.0K
$31.19 OMR 12.00
-55.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 99.7K
$71.6 OMR 27.56
-57.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 136.0K
$31.10 OMR 11.97
34.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.5K
$18.46 OMR 7.11
-8.99%
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.2K
$7.13 OMR 2.74
4.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.6M
$500 OMR 192
58.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.9M
$10.7K OMR 4,119
14.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 279.9K
$56.8 OMR 21.86
52.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 192.2K
$42.83 OMR 16.49
38.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 448.6K
$89.5 OMR 34.45
54.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 320.4K
$88.7 OMR 34.13
11.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
$4,110 OMR 1,582
-84.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
5.25
108.38%

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

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Ibra: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Ibra
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Ibra
$291 5.2% $16
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Ibra
$284 27.7% $62
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Ibra
$220 27.2% $47
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Ibra
$125 27.4% $47
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Ibra
$16 * 82.8% $77
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Ibra
$45 20.2% $12

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Salaries in Ibra are about 6.4 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $39 in Ibra. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $307 vs $291 – making Ibra the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇴🇲 Ibra
🕒 Local time
07:30 7:30 AM
16:30 4:30 PM
9 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
35,000
💱 Currency
Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.
Exchange rates and currency converter

OMR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 3,242 COP (10,000 COP = 3.08 USD). 1 EUR = 3,635 COP (10,000 COP = 2.75 EUR).

Omani Rial exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 0.385 OMR (1 OMR = 2.6 USD). 1 EUR = 0.432 OMR (1 OMR = 2.32 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Ibra 14,080 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Ibra

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 Ibra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Ibra?
Medellin costs about 72% more than Ibra, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 Ibra?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Medellin and $1,472 in Ibra. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Ibra?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,692 in Medellin and $981 in Ibra. That makes Ibra about 42% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Ibra?
Kindergarten costs $790 per month in Medellin and $500 in Ibra. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Medellin or in Ibra?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,692 in Medellin and $981 in Ibra. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Medellin or Ibra?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $981 in Ibra to $1,692 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Medellin vs other spots: cost of living compared

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