πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $677 in Khujand.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,022 in Khujand.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,367 in Khujand.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 50% more expensive than Khujand, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Khujand50% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.98TJSΒ 55.8
-0.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$15.13TJSΒ 141
120.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.77TJSΒ 72.4
-6.95%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.02TJSΒ 9.48
59.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.48TJSΒ 4.51
127.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.24TJSΒ 2.23
204.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.22TJSΒ 11.40
42.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.98TJSΒ 18.42
63.13%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.01TJSΒ 9.39
3.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.36TJSΒ 3.38
258.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.98TJSΒ 18.46
-33.33%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.55TJSΒ 14.40
46.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.74TJSΒ 81.4
-50.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$2.93TJSΒ 27.27
100.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$8.69TJSΒ 81.0
-0.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.55TJSΒ 14.42
45.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.78TJSΒ 16.58
-39.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.48TJSΒ 23.14
-38.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.81TJSΒ 7.52
75.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.58TJSΒ 5.41
101.72%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.31TJSΒ 2.87
277.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.78TJSΒ 7.26
14.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.53TJSΒ 4.90
69.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.55TJSΒ 23.77
-11.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.25TJSΒ 95.5
7.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.47TJSΒ 13.70
-22.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.25TJSΒ 20.97
5.78%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.31TJSΒ 2.89
170.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.95TJSΒ 8.87
48.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.04TJSΒ 56.3
28.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.97TJSΒ 9.05
4.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$18.2KTJSΒ 169.3K
-3.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$12.1KTJSΒ 112.8K
118.93%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$39.86TJSΒ 371
109.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.68TJSΒ 52.9
66.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$23.73TJSΒ 221
1.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$18.62TJSΒ 174
35.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$24.62TJSΒ 229
-22.26%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.09TJSΒ 38.07
0.24%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$78.8TJSΒ 734
296.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,932TJSΒ 64.6K
-13.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$19.16TJSΒ 179
202.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$29.64TJSΒ 276
9.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$39.78TJSΒ 371
150.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$48.15TJSΒ 449
125.42%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$330TJSΒ 3,070
46.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$250TJSΒ 2,328
51.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$602TJSΒ 5,611
39.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$402TJSΒ 3,745
79.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$718TJSΒ 6,690
295.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$502TJSΒ 4,674
143.83%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Khujand
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$458TJSΒ 4,263
18.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
24
-44.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Khujand: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $330 in Khujand. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 18% 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 $15.00 in Khujand for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $171 per month, with Khujand 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 Khujand: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Khujand?
Medellin and Khujand differ by about 50% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $677 including rent). Khujand is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Khujand?
Medellin pays 18% 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 Khujand?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $330 in Khujand. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Khujand?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $78.8 in Khujand. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Khujand β a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $677 in Khujand versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Khujand but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Khujand the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Khujand?
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 Khujand safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Khujand 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 Khujand?
Expats usually find Khujand gentler on the wallet β expenses run 50% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.