πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $901 in Khartoum.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,390 in Khartoum.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,880 in Khartoum.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 12% more expensive than Khartoum, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Khartoum33% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$7.55SDGΒ 4,521
-20.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$33.55SDGΒ 20.1K
-2.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.86SDGΒ 4,706
-9.80%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.04SDGΒ 1,218
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.41SDGΒ 2,042
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$2.37SDGΒ 1,418
-27.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.58SDGΒ 349
89.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.40SDGΒ 240
95.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.59SDGΒ 955
-31.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.32SDGΒ 787
-4.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$3.39SDGΒ 2,027
-59.29%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.82SDGΒ 1,686
-22.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$14.75SDGΒ 8,830
-70.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.35SDGΒ 3,801
-11.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$7.00SDGΒ 4,188
27.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$4.89SDGΒ 2,926
-52.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.24SDGΒ 741
-14.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.53SDGΒ 1,514
-40.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$1.86SDGΒ 1,114
-25.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.35SDGΒ 806
-14.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.02SDGΒ 611
13.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.65SDGΒ 389
29.23%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$4.02SDGΒ 2,405
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.95SDGΒ 2,363
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$1.49SDGΒ 889
53.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.68SDGΒ 406
26.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$24.82SDGΒ 14.9K
66.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$3.40SDGΒ 2,032
-56.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.02SDGΒ 611
92.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$10.14SDGΒ 6,066
-23.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.37SDGΒ 819
-30.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$16.5KSDGΒ 9.9M
60.76%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$52.6SDGΒ 31.5K
56.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$9.35SDGΒ 5,594
1.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$70.6SDGΒ 42.2K
-65.66%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$32.99SDGΒ 19.7K
-21.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.89SDGΒ 2,331
1.03%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$88.6SDGΒ 53.1K
249.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,850SDGΒ 1.1M
222.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$14.77SDGΒ 8,841
297.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$55.4SDGΒ 33.1K
85.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$53.4SDGΒ 32.0K
102.94%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$628SDGΒ 375.9K
-24.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$293SDGΒ 175.4K
29.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,243SDGΒ 743.7K
-32.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$501SDGΒ 300.0K
44.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$2,145SDGΒ 1.3M
30.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,249SDGΒ 747.4K
-3.00%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Khartoum
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$196SDGΒ 117.1K
161.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
26
-48.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Khartoum: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $628 in Khartoum. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 162% 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 $34.00 in Khartoum for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $216 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 Khartoum: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khartoum cheaper than Medellin?
Khartoum is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 12% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Khartoum?
Medellin pays 162% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Khartoum?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $628 in Khartoum. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Khartoum?
Dining out is cheaper in Khartoum β a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Khartoum?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $901 in Khartoum β a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Khartoum?
At $901 in Khartoum versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Khartoum but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Khartoum the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Khartoum more family-friendly?
For families, Khartoum is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, 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 Khartoum gentler on the wallet β expenses run 12% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.