πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,011 in Juniyah, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,482 in Juniyah, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,953 in Juniyah, rent included.
πMedellin and Juniyah have comparable living costs β the differences are in the details.
πBoth Medellin and Juniyah are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Juniyah25% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$10.67LBPΒ 954.8K
-43.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$40.17LBPΒ 3.6M
-18.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.10LBPΒ 724.8K
-12.47%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.05LBPΒ 183.6K
-16.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.98LBPΒ 87.6K
12.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.86LBPΒ 77.1K
-9.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$3.59LBPΒ 320.9K
-53.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$4.96LBPΒ 443.7K
-38.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.67LBPΒ 149.8K
-34.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.84LBPΒ 74.8K
50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.30LBPΒ 116.5K
6.15%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.75LBPΒ 246.4K
-20.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.31LBPΒ 1.0M
-61.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.43LBPΒ 396.2K
27.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$9.69LBPΒ 867.6K
-8.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.02LBPΒ 91.0K
129.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$0.77LBPΒ 69.0K
37.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.12LBPΒ 100.3K
33.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.97LBPΒ 86.8K
42.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.91LBPΒ 81.7K
26.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.94LBPΒ 84.0K
23.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.49LBPΒ 43.6K
81.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.42LBPΒ 37.2K
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.54LBPΒ 227.4K
-10.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$10.05LBPΒ 899.5K
5.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.13LBPΒ 101.1K
6.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.96LBPΒ 175.3K
26.02%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$1.03LBPΒ 91.9K
-16.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$22.15LBPΒ 2.0M
86.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.92LBPΒ 350.6K
-62.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.91LBPΒ 81.9K
115.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$19.72LBPΒ 1.8M
-60.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.94LBPΒ 84.4K
1.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$20.7KLBPΒ 1.9B
-12.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$25.0KLBPΒ 2.2B
5.88%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$130LBPΒ 11.6M
-36.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$19.79LBPΒ 1.8M
-52.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$27.21LBPΒ 2.4M
-10.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$40.21LBPΒ 3.6M
-35.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$10.16LBPΒ 909.3K
87.01%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$8.12LBPΒ 726.6K
-51.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$306LBPΒ 27.4M
1.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,490LBPΒ 133.4M
300.35%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$19.94LBPΒ 1.8M
194.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$19.92LBPΒ 1.8M
62.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$52.8LBPΒ 4.7M
94.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$49.93LBPΒ 4.5M
117.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$394LBPΒ 35.2M
20.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$329LBPΒ 29.4M
15.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$481LBPΒ 43.0M
74.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$421LBPΒ 37.7M
72.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$792LBPΒ 70.9M
52.90%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Juniyah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.16
20.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Juniyah: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $394 in Juniyah. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $40.00 in Juniyah. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $187 in Juniyah β so Juniyah wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Juniyah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,516 in Juniyah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Juniyah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Public transport costs about 87% less in Juniyah. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Juniyah?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Juniyah, where all-in costs run around $1,011, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Juniyah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Juniyah more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Juniyah β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Juniyah. 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.