πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $1,320 in Jurmala, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $2,009 in Jurmala, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $2,699 in Jurmala, rent included.
πMedellin is about 22% cheaper than Jurmala, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Jurmala are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Jurmala1% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$12.92β¬11.13
-53.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$66.8β¬57.5
-50.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$7.44β¬6.40
-0.27%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$3.57β¬3.07
-53.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.83β¬1.58
-41.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$1.36β¬1.17
-44.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$5.16β¬4.45
-66.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$3.80β¬3.27
-15.79%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$1.35β¬1.16
-22.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$1.65β¬1.42
-20.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$2.25β¬1.93
-40.44%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$3.13β¬2.69
-30.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$8.23β¬7.09
-46.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$7.03β¬6.06
-19.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$11.63β¬10.01
-26.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$1.40β¬1.20
67.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$1.90β¬1.64
-41.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$2.56β¬2.21
-40.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$3.40β¬2.92
-59.71%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$1.03β¬0.89
11.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$1.11β¬0.95
6.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$1.77β¬1.52
-52.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$0.82β¬0.70
4.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$5.28β¬4.55
-57.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$8.01β¬6.90
44.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.78β¬1.53
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$2.25β¬1.93
10.22%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$0.83β¬0.71
-4.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
$20.74β¬17.86
96.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$2.48β¬2.14
-40.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$0.75β¬0.64
156.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$11.39β¬9.81
-31.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.79β¬1.54
-43.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$26.0Kβ¬22.4K
-31.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$24.9Kβ¬21.4K
6.40%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$318β¬274
-74.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$11.66β¬10.04
-19.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$19.59β¬16.87
21.80%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$35.71β¬30.75
-27.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
$24.75β¬21.31
-24.40%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$11.67β¬10.05
-64.95%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$528β¬455
-40.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$15.9Kβ¬13.7K
-62.19%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$92.0β¬79.2
-35.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$46.01β¬39.62
-30.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$95.2β¬82.0
6.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$134β¬115
-21.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$365β¬314
32.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$255β¬220
43.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$1,088β¬937
-24.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$448β¬386
63.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Jurmala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$1,175β¬1,012
-53.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.35
300.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Jurmala: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $365 in Jurmala. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 113% higher in Jurmala, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $67.0 in Jurmala. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $243 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Jurmala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jurmala cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Jurmala is pricier by about 28%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,980 in Jurmala. 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 Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Jurmala?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,028 in Medellin and $1,320 in Jurmala. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 97% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Jurmala?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Jurmala at $1,320. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jurmala it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Jurmala more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Jurmala?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jurmala makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.