Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and KerakCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kerak
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $907 in Kerak, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,375 in Kerak, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,844 in Kerak, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 12% more than Kerak, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Kerak are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Kerak33% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.78JODΒ 1.97
114.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$48.48JODΒ 34.31
-31.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.55JODΒ 3.93
30.27%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.73JODΒ 0.51
123.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.48JODΒ 0.34
127.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.61JODΒ 3.97
-68.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.90JODΒ 4.88
-53.19%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.39JODΒ 0.98
-24.46%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.37JODΒ 0.26
248.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$0.82JODΒ 0.58
60.98%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.73JODΒ 1.22
31.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$6.59JODΒ 4.66
-33.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.31JODΒ 3.05
36.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.62JODΒ 8.22
-25.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
60.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
-23.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
8.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.44JODΒ 0.31
222.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.83JODΒ 0.59
40.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.74JODΒ 0.53
58.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.66JODΒ 0.47
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.58JODΒ 0.41
55.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.48JODΒ 2.47
-35.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$20.97JODΒ 14.84
-47.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$4.84JODΒ 3.43
-76.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$5.39JODΒ 3.81
-55.84%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.69JODΒ 0.49
104.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.38JODΒ 0.98
37.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.97JODΒ 4.93
11.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.46JODΒ 1.03
-30.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.0KJODΒ 19.1K
-35.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$32.9KJODΒ 23.3K
-19.46%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$107JODΒ 75.4
-21.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.79JODΒ 11.88
-43.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$28.25JODΒ 20.00
-14.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$43.04JODΒ 30.46
-41.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.46JODΒ 8.11
-64.22%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$141JODΒ 99.6
121.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,395JODΒ 2,403
76.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$60.7JODΒ 42.97
-4.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$56.9JODΒ 40.27
-42.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$116JODΒ 82.2
-14.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$81.2JODΒ 57.5
33.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$182JODΒ 129
164.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$222JODΒ 157
71.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$278JODΒ 197
201.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$326JODΒ 231
121.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$207JODΒ 147
1269.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$277JODΒ 196
341.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kerak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$524JODΒ 371
3.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kerak: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $182 in Kerak. 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 3% 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 $48.00 in Kerak. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $218 β making Medellin 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 Kerak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kerak cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 12%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,360 in Kerak. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kerak, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Kerak?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kerak, where all-in costs run around $907, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Kerak it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Kerak more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kerak 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 Kerak. 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.