πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $517 in Katunayaka, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $844 in Katunayaka, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,171 in Katunayaka, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 100% more than Katunayaka, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Katunayaka are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Katunayaka61% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$4.03LKRΒ 1,286
46.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$25.50LKRΒ 8,132
28.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$8.20LKRΒ 2,617
-12.20%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.76LKRΒ 880
-38.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.69LKRΒ 221
59.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.40LKRΒ 128
80.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.27LKRΒ 724
-26.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.43LKRΒ 1,095
-9.62%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.75LKRΒ 558
-39.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.55LKRΒ 177
127.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$0.86LKRΒ 276
61.63%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.19LKRΒ 698
3.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$14.32LKRΒ 4,567
-69.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$4.79LKRΒ 1,526
21.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$7.83LKRΒ 2,497
12.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$7.66LKRΒ 2,443
-70.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.11LKRΒ 355
-2.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$5.76LKRΒ 1,838
-73.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.20LKRΒ 382
14.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.11LKRΒ 354
1.80%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$1.40LKRΒ 447
-20.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.16LKRΒ 369
-26.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.56LKRΒ 179
62.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$10.17LKRΒ 3,244
-77.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$12.49LKRΒ 3,985
-10.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$2.09LKRΒ 667
-43.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.84LKRΒ 904
-16.55%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.42LKRΒ 133
242.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.33LKRΒ 105
478.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$0.60LKRΒ 192
1236.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.20LKRΒ 383
-21.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.0KLKRΒ 8.6M
-33.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$34.3KLKRΒ 11.0M
-21.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$60.5LKRΒ 19.3K
38.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$4.40LKRΒ 1,403
118.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$14.89LKRΒ 4,750
62.26%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$3.27LKRΒ 1,044
19.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$36.58LKRΒ 11.7K
737.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$447LKRΒ 142.7K
1222.88%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$27.72LKRΒ 8,839
108.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$19.13LKRΒ 6,100
66.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$69.5LKRΒ 22.2K
43.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$38.20LKRΒ 12.2K
180.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Katunayaka
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
16.45
-18.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Katunayaka: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $26.00 in Katunayaka. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $258 in Katunayaka β so Medellin 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 Katunayaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Katunayaka cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 100%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $776 in Katunayaka. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Katunayaka?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $517 in Katunayaka. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $36.58 in Katunayaka. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Katunayaka?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Katunayaka, where all-in costs run around $517, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Katunayaka it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Katunayaka more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Katunayaka 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 Katunayaka. 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.