πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $567 in Kairouan, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $894 in Kairouan, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,221 in Kairouan, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 79% more than Kairouan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Kairouan are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Kairouan58% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$2.40TNDΒ 6.97
149.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$8.57TNDΒ 24.89
283.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$3.43TNDΒ 9.97
106.71%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$0.72TNDΒ 2.08
137.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.60TNDΒ 1.73
83.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.16TNDΒ 0.46
387.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.50TNDΒ 4.34
12.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.97TNDΒ 5.72
55.84%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$0.48TNDΒ 1.40
127.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.08TNDΒ 0.24
1475.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.49TNDΒ 4.33
-7.38%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.54TNDΒ 4.46
42.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.45TNDΒ 33.24
-61.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$5.73TNDΒ 16.64
-1.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$12.06TNDΒ 35.02
-26.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.17TNDΒ 6.31
7.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.32TNDΒ 6.75
-54.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.01TNDΒ 2.92
48.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.73TNDΒ 2.13
89.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.71TNDΒ 2.07
61.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.76TNDΒ 2.21
52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.51TNDΒ 1.48
74.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.25TNDΒ 0.72
236.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.42TNDΒ 9.93
-33.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.51TNDΒ 21.81
41.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.09TNDΒ 3.16
10.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.09TNDΒ 3.17
126.61%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.36TNDΒ 1.03
138.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$10.13TNDΒ 29.42
308.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.29TNDΒ 0.83
406.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.31TNDΒ 0.89
532.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.37TNDΒ 21.39
5.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.80TNDΒ 2.32
18.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$35.7KTNDΒ 103.7K
-49.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$34.8KTNDΒ 100.9K
-23.80%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$44.95TNDΒ 131
82.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$9.68TNDΒ 28.11
-1.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$14.90TNDΒ 43.27
62.62%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$23.62TNDΒ 68.6
9.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$12.93TNDΒ 37.54
46.95%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.44TNDΒ 12.88
-11.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$108TNDΒ 314
186.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$2,493TNDΒ 7,238
139.29%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$24.09TNDΒ 70.0
143.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$44.45TNDΒ 129
-27.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$47.09TNDΒ 137
117.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$66.1TNDΒ 192
64.09%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$117TNDΒ 339
308.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$133TNDΒ 387
184.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$372TNDΒ 1,080
125.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$268TNDΒ 777
170.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kairouan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$329TNDΒ 956
55.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.6
-1.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kairouan: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $117 in Kairouan. 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 55% higher in Medellin, 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 $9.00 in Kairouan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $181 β making Kairouan 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 Kairouan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Kairouan compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $567 in Kairouan β roughly 79% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Kairouan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $851 in Kairouan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Kairouan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kairouan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Kairouan?
Public transport costs about 309% less in Kairouan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Kairouan?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $108 in Kairouan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kairouan, where all-in costs run around $567, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Kairouan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kairouan?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $567 in Kairouan to $1,013 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Kairouan safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Medellin and Kairouan?
If budget matters most, go with Kairouan. 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.