πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Medellin versus $1,186 in Khafji.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $1,822 in Khafji.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $2,457 in Khafji.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 13% less than in Khafji, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Khafji11% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$3.12SARΒ 11.71
89.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$53.6SARΒ 201
-38.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$4.95SARΒ 18.57
46.46%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.95SARΒ 3.58
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.58SARΒ 5.93
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$2.86SARΒ 10.71
-40.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$0.84SARΒ 3.14
29.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$0.38SARΒ 1.42
102.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$1.71SARΒ 6.41
-38.01%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$1.39SARΒ 5.22
-6.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$2.12SARΒ 7.95
-34.91%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$2.21SARΒ 8.28
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$6.09SARΒ 22.83
-25.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$7.42SARΒ 27.81
-21.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$9.86SARΒ 36.99
-9.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$2.20SARΒ 8.26
4.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.55SARΒ 5.80
-31.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$1.43SARΒ 5.38
5.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$1.65SARΒ 6.20
-17.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$1.28SARΒ 4.81
-9.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$1.34SARΒ 5.04
-12.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$1.31SARΒ 4.93
-36.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$0.55SARΒ 2.06
54.55%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$4.21SARΒ 15.78
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63SARΒ 6.12
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.02SARΒ 7.57
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$7.81SARΒ 29.30
-69.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$1.06SARΒ 3.97
-25.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
$40.63SARΒ 152
3.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$3.27SARΒ 12.28
-55.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$1.85SARΒ 6.94
2.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$13.39SARΒ 50.2
-42.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$0.60SARΒ 2.25
71.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$22.9KSARΒ 85.9K
-22.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$21.1KSARΒ 79.0K
28.30%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$117SARΒ 440
-30.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$38.81SARΒ 146
-75.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$63.5SARΒ 238
-62.55%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$89.2SARΒ 334
-71.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
$35.37SARΒ 133
-45.32%
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$15.45SARΒ 57.9
-73.79%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$134SARΒ 501
133.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$3,949SARΒ 14.8K
53.63%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$68.5SARΒ 257
-14.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$67.3SARΒ 253
-51.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$90.3SARΒ 339
11.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$85.9SARΒ 322
23.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$441SARΒ 1,652
11.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$374SARΒ 1,403
-0.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$840SARΒ 3,151
-0.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$623SARΒ 2,334
14.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$2,657SARΒ 9,965
11.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
$1,376SARΒ 5,159
1.32%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Khafji
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.33
210.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Khafji: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Medellin and $441 in Khafji. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33 in Medellin vs $54 in Khafji. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $186, with Khafji cheaper for home cooking.
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 Khafji: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khafji cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 15% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,544 in Medellin and $1,779 in Khafji 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.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Khafji?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Medellin versus $441 in Khafji. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Khafji?
All in, you'll spend $1,030 per month in Medellin versus $1,186 in Khafji β a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 3% less than in Khafji. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Khafji?
At $1,030 in Medellin versus $1,186 in Khafji, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Khafji. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Khafji more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Khafji, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 15% less than in Khafji. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.