πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,156 in Kastamonu.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,788 in Kastamonu.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $2,420 in Kastamonu.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 12% less than in Kastamonu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Kastamonu14% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 21.4K
$9.71βΊ448
-38.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 119.6K
$38.51βΊ1,776
-13.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 26.0K
$9.04βΊ417
-20.02%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,848
$3.13βΊ144
-47.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,929
$1.21βΊ55.9
-9.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,621
$0.41βΊ18.95
78.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,237
$3.29βΊ152
-47.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.6K
$3.84βΊ177
-15.89%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,766
$0.97βΊ44.70
8.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,643
$0.65βΊ29.91
98.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,748
$2.38βΊ110
-44.54%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 8,152
$2.37βΊ109
-4.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.6K
$9.30βΊ429
-53.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 21.1K
$5.77βΊ266
1.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.9K
$19.07βΊ879
-54.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 8,066
$1.45βΊ66.7
55.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,839
$2.38βΊ110
-55.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,473
$1.32βΊ60.9
15.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 5,105
$1.53βΊ70.7
-7.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,199
$0.73βΊ33.76
60.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,193
$0.57βΊ26.51
105.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,183
$1.11βΊ51.3
-19.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,235
$0.43βΊ19.75
109.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 8,059
$2.18βΊ100
3.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 39.6K
$9.97βΊ459
10.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 4,089
$2.02βΊ93.1
-43.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,537
$3.13βΊ144
-23.96%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,998
$0.68βΊ31.15
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 150.6K
$30.60βΊ1,411
37.09%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 5,051
$0.85βΊ39.03
65.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,823
$0.65βΊ29.74
192.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.8K
$6.16βΊ284
25.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,608
$1.19βΊ54.7
-15.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 63.1M
$42.5KβΊ2.0M
-58.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.1M
$43.2KβΊ2.0M
-38.61%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 300.3K
$84.1βΊ3,880
-0.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.9K
$10.72βΊ494
-11.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 86.5K
$13.77βΊ635
75.09%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 90.8K
$43.86βΊ2,022
-42.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.7K
$6.47βΊ298
-36.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$599βΊ27.6K
-47.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 21.5M
$13.5KβΊ623.3K
-55.66%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 208.3K
$58.6βΊ2,700
-0.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 116.9K
$43.75βΊ2,017
-25.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 357.6K
$105βΊ4,819
-4.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 389.6K
$96.5βΊ4,449
12.48%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$508βΊ23.4K
-5.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$389βΊ18.0K
-2.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 3.0M
$892βΊ41.1K
-6.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.6M
$704βΊ32.4K
2.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 10.2M
$1,317βΊ60.7K
115.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.4M
$910βΊ42.0K
34.41%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kastamonu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,362βΊ62.8K
-60.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
40
-66.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kastamonu: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $508 in Kastamonu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Kastamonu pays 152% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $39.00 in Kastamonu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $233 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Kastamonu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Kastamonu?
Medellin and Kastamonu differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $1,156 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Kastamonu earns 152% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Kastamonu?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $508 in Kastamonu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Kastamonu?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $1,156 in Kastamonu β a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Kastamonu?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 37% less than in Kastamonu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,156 in Kastamonu, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Kastamonu. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kastamonu?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Kastamonu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Kastamonu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Kastamonu?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 14% less than in Kastamonu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.