πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $363 in Kawasoti.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $607 in Kawasoti.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $851 in Kawasoti.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 179% more expensive than Kawasoti, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Kawasoti73% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$1.84NPRΒ 280
225.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$18.84NPRΒ 2,867
74.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.39NPRΒ 973
10.95%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.86NPRΒ 282
-8.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.50NPRΒ 76.3
120.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.16NPRΒ 23.68
387.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$2.53NPRΒ 385
-33.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$3.55NPRΒ 540
-13.52%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$0.82NPRΒ 125
32.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.55NPRΒ 84.3
129.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$0.99NPRΒ 150
39.39%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.85NPRΒ 281
18.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.73NPRΒ 1,329
-49.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$2.89NPRΒ 440
94.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$6.18NPRΒ 941
43.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.28NPRΒ 347
2.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$0.86NPRΒ 130
23.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$0.70NPRΒ 107
114.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.53NPRΒ 81.4
160.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.37NPRΒ 57.0
210.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.49NPRΒ 74.0
136.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.37NPRΒ 56.8
140.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.25NPRΒ 37.99
236.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.89NPRΒ 440
-21.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$2.56NPRΒ 390
315.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$2.34NPRΒ 355
-48.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.97NPRΒ 452
-16.84%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.18NPRΒ 27.95
377.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.76NPRΒ 115
93.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.92NPRΒ 141
113.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$2.14NPRΒ 325
261.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.25NPRΒ 190
-24.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$31.9KNPRΒ 4.9M
-43.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$41.0KNPRΒ 6.2M
-35.39%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$17.95NPRΒ 2,732
358.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$3.58NPRΒ 545
165.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$7.20NPRΒ 1,095
236.53%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$18.35NPRΒ 2,793
41.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$7.41NPRΒ 1,128
156.41%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$1.83NPRΒ 279
114.75%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$92.8NPRΒ 14.1K
233.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,726NPRΒ 567.1K
60.11%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$14.52NPRΒ 2,210
303.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$11.08NPRΒ 1,687
191.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$21.98NPRΒ 3,345
366.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$11.07NPRΒ 1,684
879.49%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$104NPRΒ 15.9K
356.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$62.7NPRΒ 9,549
503.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$208NPRΒ 31.7K
302.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$147NPRΒ 22.4K
392.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kawasoti
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$234NPRΒ 35.6K
119.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12
11.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kawasoti: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $104 in Kawasoti. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 119% 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 $19.00 in Kawasoti for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $136 per month, with Kawasoti 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 Kawasoti: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Kawasoti?
Medellin and Kawasoti differ by about 179% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $363 including rent). Kawasoti is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Kawasoti?
Medellin pays 119% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Kawasoti?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $104 in Kawasoti. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 39% 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 Kawasoti?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $363 in Kawasoti β a 179% 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 $363 in Kawasoti versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kawasoti but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kawasoti the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kawasoti?
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 Kawasoti safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Kawasoti 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 Kawasoti?
Expats usually find Kawasoti gentler on the wallet β expenses run 179% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.