Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $1,030 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,424 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,818 in Jimma, rent included.

Medellin and Jimma have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Medellin and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 23% lower, Jimma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.92 COP 21.5K

$4.72 ETB 736

25.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.75 COP 119.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.20 COP 26.2K

Cappuccino

$1.70 COP 6,186

$1.19 ETB 186

42.86%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,996

$0.60 ETB 93.8

83.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 COP 2,625

$0.44 ETB 68.5

63.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.67 COP 6,067

$1.21 ETB 188

38.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.10 COP 11.3K

$1.48 ETB 231

109.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 COP 3,837

$1.17 ETB 183

-9.40%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 COP 4,531

$0.40 ETB 61.7

212.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 COP 5,060

$1.13 ETB 177

23.01%

Eggs

$2.26 COP 8,229

$4.26 ETB 664

-46.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.33 COP 15.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.84 COP 21.2K

$11.59 ETB 1,809

-49.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.83 COP 32.1K

$11.66 ETB 1,820

-24.27%

Apples (1kg)

$2.24 COP 8,159

$2.28 ETB 357

-1.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 COP 3,911

$1.15 ETB 179

-6.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 COP 5,563

$3.48 ETB 543

-56.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.37 COP 4,987

$0.61 ETB 94.9

124.59%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 4,109

$0.61 ETB 95.0

85.25%

Onion (1kg)

$1.12 COP 4,067

$3.52 ETB 549

-68.18%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 COP 3,080

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 COP 3,305

$0.55 ETB 86.4

65.45%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.33 COP 8,477

Wine (Bottle)

$11.13 COP 40.5K

$6.97 ETB 1,088

59.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 4,342

$1.19 ETB 185

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 COP 8,617

$1.49 ETB 232

59.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 COP 2,859

$0.24 ETB 37.60

229.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.13 COP 149.6K

$13.70 ETB 2,138

200.22%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 COP 5,223

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 COP 6,952

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.02 COP 29.2K

$1.79 ETB 280

348.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 COP 3,410

$1.75 ETB 273

-46.29%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.9K COP 65.2M

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

-66.05%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 97.4M

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

-53.21%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$84.0 COP 305.4K

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

29.87%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.60 COP 34.9K

$15.01 ETB 2,343

-36.04%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.16 COP 87.9K

$321 ETB 50.0K

-92.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.88 COP 94.1K

$34.37 ETB 5,364

-24.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.04 COP 69.3K

Cinema Ticket

$3.92 COP 14.2K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$306 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,919 COP 21.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.9 COP 210.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 115.7K

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

-65.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.9 COP 363.3K

$141 ETB 22.0K

-29.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 389.7K

$114 ETB 17.8K

-6.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$487 COP 1.8M

$212 ETB 33.1K

129.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$368 COP 1.3M

$162 ETB 25.3K

126.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$826 COP 3.0M

$422 ETB 65.9K

95.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$716 COP 2.6M

$326 ETB 50.9K

119.61%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,925 COP 10.6M

$2,341 ETB 365.3K

24.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,407 COP 5.1M

$1,196 ETB 186.6K

17.66%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$546 COP 2.0M

$232 ETB 36.2K

135.00%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

49.22%

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

Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026

Last update for Jimma: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $212 in Jimma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 135% higher in Medellin. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,545 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jimma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Medellin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

Public transport costs about 200% less in Jimma. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,030, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Jimma. 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.