😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,031 in Medellin versus $1,012 in Iernut.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,599 in Medellin versus $1,519 in Iernut.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,167 in Medellin versus $2,026 in Iernut.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 2% more expensive than in Iernut, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Iernut24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$8.46RON 38.84
-27.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$39.82RON 183
-18.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$7.83RON 35.93
-6.26%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
$2.30RON 10.58
-25.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$1.33RON 6.09
-21.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$1.12RON 5.14
-31.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
$2.27RON 10.43
-25.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$2.71RON 12.44
16.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$1.50RON 6.87
-30.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$1.18RON 5.40
10.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$1.63RON 7.46
-14.11%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$2.94RON 13.49
-26.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$8.41RON 38.61
-47.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$7.11RON 32.62
-17.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$11.93RON 54.8
-27.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$1.02RON 4.67
123.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.35RON 6.21
-17.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$1.49RON 6.83
2.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$1.92RON 8.82
-29.69%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$0.94RON 4.29
20.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$0.93RON 4.25
21.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$0.80RON 3.69
6.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$0.80RON 3.67
13.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$5.96RON 27.34
-60.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$7.70RON 35.33
60.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$1.07RON 4.92
12.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$1.70RON 7.80
46.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,727
$0.72RON 3.28
16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
$19.66RON 90.2
106.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$0.73RON 3.33
94.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$0.74RON 3.42
159.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$7.06RON 32.41
8.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$1.58RON 7.27
-37.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$28.0KRON 128.6K
-35.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$27.4KRON 125.9K
-2.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$166RON 763
-51.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$8.28RON 38.02
20.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$9.26RON 42.50
161.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
$41.27RON 189
-39.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
$19.44RON 89.2
-1.49%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$5.91RON 27.13
-32.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$451RON 2,069
-32.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$6,664RON 30.6K
-9.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$66.2RON 304
-12.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$32.47RON 149
-0.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$74.9RON 344
34.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$79.8RON 366
35.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$382RON 1,755
24.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$295RON 1,352
27.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$585RON 2,687
44.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$435RON 1,995
68.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
$1,762RON 8,090
82.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
$1,593RON 7,313
-13.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Iernut
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.7
74.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Iernut: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $477 in Medellin and $382 in Iernut. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $40.00 in Iernut for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $212 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?
Iernut is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 $1,546 in Medellin and $1,519 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: $477 in Medellin versus $382 in Iernut. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Iernut?
Dining out is cheaper in Iernut – a meal for two runs $40.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Iernut?
All in, you'll spend $1,031 per month in Medellin versus $1,012 in Iernut – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Iernut?
At $1,012 in Iernut versus $1,031 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Iernut but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Iernut the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Iernut more family-friendly?
For families, Iernut is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, 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 Iernut gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.