πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,033 in Iernut.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,531 in Iernut.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $2,029 in Iernut.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 2% less than in Iernut, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Iernut23% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$8.37RONΒ 37.84
-28.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$40.27RONΒ 182
-18.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.24RONΒ 37.23
-13.96%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.30RONΒ 10.41
-25.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.33RONΒ 5.99
-17.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$1.14RONΒ 5.15
-31.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$2.31RONΒ 10.45
-27.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.81RONΒ 12.70
9.25%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.55RONΒ 7.01
-29.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.22RONΒ 5.54
3.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.60RONΒ 7.22
-13.75%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$3.06RONΒ 13.84
-28.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.46RONΒ 38.25
-47.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.01RONΒ 31.70
-19.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$12.12RONΒ 54.8
-26.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.03RONΒ 4.65
127.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.31RONΒ 5.94
-19.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.52RONΒ 6.89
-1.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.94RONΒ 8.76
-28.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.88RONΒ 3.97
30.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.86RONΒ 3.90
34.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.79RONΒ 3.56
12.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.80RONΒ 3.62
5.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$5.81RONΒ 26.25
-60.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.87RONΒ 35.57
35.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.09RONΒ 4.92
10.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.68RONΒ 7.60
47.02%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.70RONΒ 3.17
22.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$19.48RONΒ 88.1
112.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.77RONΒ 3.48
90.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.75RONΒ 3.40
161.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.74RONΒ 30.47
14.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.61RONΒ 7.27
-40.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.6KRONΒ 124.8K
-34.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$28.3KRONΒ 127.9K
-6.42%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$167RONΒ 753
-50.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$8.31RONΒ 37.57
14.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$9.18RONΒ 41.50
163.94%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$42.12RONΒ 190
-38.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$19.50RONΒ 88.1
-2.56%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.86RONΒ 26.50
-32.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$449RONΒ 2,028
-31.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$6,609RONΒ 29.9K
-9.75%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$65.9RONΒ 298
-10.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$32.16RONΒ 145
0.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$73.6RONΒ 332
39.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$81.8RONΒ 370
32.59%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$384RONΒ 1,735
24.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$293RONΒ 1,326
29.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$580RONΒ 2,624
44.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$435RONΒ 1,965
66.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,694RONΒ 7,657
64.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,579RONΒ 7,138
-23.29%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.7
74.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Iernut: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $384 in Iernut. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $40.00 in Iernut for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $214 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Iernut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iernut cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $1,549 in Iernut to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Iernut?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $384 in Iernut. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Iernut?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $40.00 in Iernut. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Iernut?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $1,033 in Iernut β a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Iernut?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,033 in Iernut, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Iernut. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Iernut more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Iernut, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 2% less than in Iernut. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.