😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Medellin versus $103 in Kanglung.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Medellin versus $171 in Kanglung.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,253 in Medellin versus $238 in Kanglung.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 1489% more expensive than in Kanglung, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 19% above, Kanglung is 93% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 24.8K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 148.7K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.0K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,045
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,738
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,481
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,887
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.6K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,431
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,393
$0.52BTN 43.84
361.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,230
-
-
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,901
$1.23BTN 104
134.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 31.0K
$2.16BTN 182
365.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 30.7K
$2.18BTN 184
357.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 43.7K
$2.19BTN 185
548.40%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.3K
$2.17BTN 183
83.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,880
$2.16BTN 183
-26.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,627
$2.14BTN 181
0.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,082
$2.23BTN 188
3.14%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,172
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,648
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,703
$0.97BTN 82.3
23.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,948
$0.98BTN 82.6
30.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.8K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.1K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,259
$1.46BTN 123
17.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,444
$1.03BTN 86.7
166.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,836
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 239.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,018
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,684
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.5K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,174
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 84.6M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 112.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 519.5K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 41.8K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.2K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 140.8K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.5K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.3M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 269.0K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 182.8K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 427.7K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 314.2K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 5.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.7M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kanglung
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Last update for Kanglung: September 7, 2026
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 Kanglung: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Kanglung?
Medellin and Kanglung differ by about 1489% in total monthly costs ($1,641 vs $103 including rent). Kanglung is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Kanglung?
You'd need roughly $2,462 in Medellin and $155 in Kanglung to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 193% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Kanglung?
All in, you'll spend $1,641 per month in Medellin versus $103 in Kanglung – a 1489% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $103 in Kanglung versus $1,641 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kanglung but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kanglung the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kanglung?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Kanglung?
Expats usually find Kanglung gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1489% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.