Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and IbraCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ibra
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $814 in Ibra, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,244 in Ibra, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,673 in Ibra, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 24% more than Ibra, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Ibra are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ibra39% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$5.17OMRΒ 1.99
15.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$26.53OMRΒ 10.21
23.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$7.99OMRΒ 3.08
-11.26%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$5.01OMRΒ 1.93
-65.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$1.05OMRΒ 0.40
4.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.34OMRΒ 0.13
129.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$12.37OMRΒ 4.76
-86.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$11.57OMRΒ 4.45
-73.47%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.91OMRΒ 0.74
-42.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.23OMRΒ 0.47
2.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.71OMRΒ 0.66
-19.30%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.46OMRΒ 0.95
-10.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$3.82OMRΒ 1.47
15.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$5.11OMRΒ 1.97
10.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$8.49OMRΒ 3.27
4.71%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$2.48OMRΒ 0.95
-5.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.73OMRΒ 0.66
-38.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.79OMRΒ 0.69
-16.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$1.14OMRΒ 0.44
21.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.97OMRΒ 0.37
18.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.99OMRΒ 0.38
17.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.08OMRΒ 0.42
-17.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.52OMRΒ 0.20
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$6.51OMRΒ 2.51
-64.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$15.83OMRΒ 6.10
-32.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$4.38OMRΒ 1.69
-72.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$7.61OMRΒ 2.93
-67.54%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$3.19OMRΒ 1.23
-53.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.75OMRΒ 0.29
161.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$10.42OMRΒ 4.01
-25.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$0.60OMRΒ 0.23
58.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$22.7KOMRΒ 8,731
-20.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$21.4KOMRΒ 8,234
23.85%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$109OMRΒ 41.87
-24.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$40.78OMRΒ 15.70
-76.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$70.4OMRΒ 27.12
-65.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$31.05OMRΒ 11.95
-16.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$18.36OMRΒ 7.07
3.49%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.97OMRΒ 2.69
-43.62%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$192OMRΒ 74.0
60.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$9,837OMRΒ 3,787
-39.36%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$49.31OMRΒ 18.98
18.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$39.60OMRΒ 15.25
-18.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$80.5OMRΒ 30.99
27.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$88.8OMRΒ 34.18
22.13%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ibra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$4,190OMRΒ 1,613
-87.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.15
160.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ibra: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Salaries run about 719% higher in Ibra, 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $27.00 in Ibra. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $230 in Ibra 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 Ibra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Ibra?
Medellin costs about 24% more than Ibra, with the gap driven mainly by 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 vs Ibra?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,222 in Ibra. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Ibra?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $814 in Ibra. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Ibra?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $192 in Ibra. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Ibra?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ibra, where all-in costs run around $814, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Ibra it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Ibra?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ibra costs $814 versus $1,013 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to Ibra?
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.
Should I move to Medellin or Ibra?
If budget matters most, go with Ibra. 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.