πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $733 in Khemisset.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,081 in Khemisset.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,428 in Khemisset.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 39% more expensive than Khemisset, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Khemisset45% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$1.96MADΒ 18.13
203.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$16.68MADΒ 154
99.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.14MADΒ 66.1
1.26%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.96MADΒ 8.89
69.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.39MADΒ 3.63
179.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.23MADΒ 2.14
217.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.94MADΒ 36.43
-55.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.37MADΒ 31.20
-4.15%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.57MADΒ 5.29
84.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.42MADΒ 3.91
207.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.50MADΒ 13.86
-12.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.01MADΒ 18.59
12.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.10MADΒ 93.4
-56.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$7.06MADΒ 65.3
-16.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$8.87MADΒ 82.1
-2.93%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.06MADΒ 9.83
112.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$0.89MADΒ 8.23
20.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.68MADΒ 6.31
123.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.46MADΒ 4.22
208.70%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.65MADΒ 5.99
80.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.63MADΒ 5.85
85.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.50MADΒ 4.65
78.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.61MADΒ 5.60
47.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.42MADΒ 40.85
-49.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$9.98MADΒ 92.3
10.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$3.19MADΒ 29.48
-64.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$3.23MADΒ 29.87
-26.32%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.47MADΒ 4.35
78.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$16.30MADΒ 151
157.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.56MADΒ 5.22
151.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.48MADΒ 4.44
295.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.35MADΒ 40.26
78.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.59MADΒ 14.73
-36.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$37.3KMADΒ 345.5K
-52.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$23.9KMADΒ 220.8K
10.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$82.2MADΒ 760
1.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$6.43MADΒ 59.5
46.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$39.14MADΒ 362
-38.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$13.67MADΒ 126
85.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$23.14MADΒ 214
-17.29%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$7.46MADΒ 69.0
-45.04%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$96.9MADΒ 896
222.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,537MADΒ 60.5K
-8.32%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$31.56MADΒ 292
83.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$46.01MADΒ 426
-29.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$88.8MADΒ 821
12.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$81.3MADΒ 752
33.55%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$284MADΒ 2,628
69.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$176MADΒ 1,631
115.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$499MADΒ 4,617
67.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$307MADΒ 2,836
135.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,567MADΒ 14.5K
81.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$938MADΒ 8,674
30.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Khemisset
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$397MADΒ 3,668
36.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.35
208.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Khemisset: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $284 in Khemisset. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 36% 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 $17.00 in Khemisset for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $187 per month, with Khemisset 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 Khemisset: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Khemisset?
Medellin and Khemisset differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $733 including rent). Khemisset is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Khemisset?
Medellin pays 36% 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 Khemisset?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $284 in Khemisset. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Khemisset β a meal for two runs $17.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Khemisset?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $733 in Khemisset β a 39% 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 $733 in Khemisset versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Khemisset but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Khemisset the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Khemisset?
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 Khemisset safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Khemisset 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 Khemisset?
Expats usually find Khemisset gentler on the wallet β expenses run 39% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.