πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,047 in Δ°zmit.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,596 in Δ°zmit.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,145 in Δ°zmit.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 3% less than in Δ°zmit, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Δ°zmit22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.15βΊ331
-16.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$22.03βΊ1,019
51.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.64βΊ354
-5.37%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.77βΊ128
-41.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.25βΊ57.7
-12.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.51βΊ23.49
43.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.59βΊ120
-32.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.28βΊ105
41.67%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.97βΊ45.09
8.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.36βΊ16.81
258.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.18βΊ101
-39.45%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.94βΊ89.7
17.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.48βΊ438
-54.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.00βΊ277
-2.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$19.62βΊ908
-56.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.18βΊ54.4
90.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.55βΊ118
-58.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.43βΊ66.0
6.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.70βΊ78.5
-16.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.95βΊ44.06
23.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.69βΊ31.91
69.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.93βΊ42.82
-4.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.53βΊ24.62
69.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.14βΊ99.1
5.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.65βΊ400
27.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.07βΊ95.9
-44.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.91βΊ88.4
24.61%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.63βΊ29.37
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$31.02βΊ1,435
35.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.99βΊ45.84
42.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.68βΊ31.44
179.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.54βΊ349
2.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.19βΊ55.2
-15.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$35.7KβΊ1.7M
-50.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$38.5KβΊ1.8M
-31.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$41.31βΊ1,911
102.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$14.67βΊ679
-35.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$12.05βΊ557
100.08%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$43.19βΊ1,998
-41.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$3.73βΊ172
9.92%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$313βΊ14.5K
-0.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,846βΊ363.0K
-23.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$52.1βΊ2,410
11.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$33.79βΊ1,563
-3.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$113βΊ5,238
-12.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$90.1βΊ4,167
20.51%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$506βΊ23.4K
-4.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$392βΊ18.2K
-3.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$874βΊ40.4K
-4.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$710βΊ32.8K
1.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,474βΊ68.2K
92.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$974βΊ45.1K
25.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Δ°zmit
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,202βΊ55.6K
-55.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
37.5
-64.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Δ°zmit: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $506 in Δ°zmit. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Δ°zmit pays 122% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $22.00 in Δ°zmit. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $228, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Δ°zmit: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Δ°zmit?
Medellin and Δ°zmit differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $1,047 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Δ°zmit earns 122% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Δ°zmit?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $506 in Δ°zmit. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Δ°zmit?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 35% less than in Δ°zmit. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Δ°zmit?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $313 in Δ°zmit. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,047 in Δ°zmit, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Δ°zmit. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Δ°zmit?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Δ°zmit safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Δ°zmit are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Δ°zmit?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3% less than in Δ°zmit. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.