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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $1,036 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,427 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $1,817 in Jimma, rent included.

Medellin is about 3% cheaper than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Medellin and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Jimma 22% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.6K

$4.73 ETB 755

24.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 103.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.4K

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,207

$1.18 ETB 189

39.83%

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

$1.10 COP 3,468

$0.56 ETB 89.4

96.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,458

$0.48 ETB 76.5

62.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,412

$1.19 ETB 191

44.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.0K

$1.47 ETB 234

116.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,474

$1.19 ETB 191

-7.56%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 3,962

$0.40 ETB 63.6

215.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,349

$1.13 ETB 180

22.12%

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,858

$4.21 ETB 672

-48.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.2K

$11.50 ETB 1,837

-49.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.2K

$11.73 ETB 1,874

-23.53%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,308

$2.32 ETB 371

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,352

$1.15 ETB 184

-7.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,774

$3.53 ETB 563

-56.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,270

$0.56 ETB 90.1

142.86%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,552

$0.60 ETB 95.1

88.33%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,689

$3.54 ETB 566

-66.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,838

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,823

$0.60 ETB 96.2

50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,034

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.2K

$6.66 ETB 1,064

81.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,743

$1.17 ETB 187

1.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,815

$1.48 ETB 236

67.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,687

$0.24 ETB 38.44

254.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 131.0K

$14.06 ETB 2,246

196.02%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,459

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,141

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 24.8K

$1.70 ETB 271

364.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,118

$1.77 ETB 282

-44.07%

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

$17.6K COP 55.4M

$51.5K ETB 8.2M

-65.83%

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

$26.8K COP 84.4M

$57.4K ETB 9.2M

-53.31%

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

$83.0 COP 261.4K

$62.5 ETB 9,975

32.90%

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

$9.70 COP 30.5K

$15.07 ETB 2,407

-35.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 74.1K

$309 ETB 49.4K

-92.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 79.5K

$34.15 ETB 5,454

-26.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.4K

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

$316 COP 994.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 188.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 100.2K

$93.8 ETB 15.0K

-66.08%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 320.1K

$141 ETB 22.4K

-27.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 338.3K

$118 ETB 18.8K

-8.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

$214 ETB 34.2K

121.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

$163 ETB 26.1K

129.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

$429 ETB 68.5K

98.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

$326 ETB 52.1K

120.55%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.3M

$2,293 ETB 366.1K

42.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

$1,135 ETB 181.2K

26.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

$224 ETB 35.8K

178.66%

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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Jimma: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $214 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 179% higher in Medellin, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Yes – Jimma is pricier by about 3%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,554 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 5% more in Jimma, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

Public transport costs about 196% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Jimma at $1,036. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Medellin – 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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jimma makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.