πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $964 in Kislovodsk.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,477 in Kislovodsk.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,990 in Kislovodsk.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 5% more expensive than Kislovodsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Kislovodsk28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$9.43β½684
-36.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$38.53β½2,792
-13.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.88β½426
22.96%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.29β½166
-28.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.07β½77.8
1.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.52β½37.87
40.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.43β½104
21.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.60β½188
24.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.12β½80.9
-6.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.70β½50.4
84.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.38β½100
-4.35%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.71β½124
32.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.69β½775
-59.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.88β½354
20.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$8.75β½634
-1.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.74β½126
29.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.82β½132
-41.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.91β½138
-20.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.65β½192
-46.42%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.79β½56.9
48.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.67β½48.89
74.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.34β½97.3
-33.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.66β½47.94
36.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.02β½219
-25.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.32β½531
50.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.00β½72.8
14.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.88β½136
26.60%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.49β½35.29
71.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.86β½135
-24.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.32β½23.43
493.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.33β½459
22.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.78β½56.4
29.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$33.7Kβ½2.4M
-47.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$36.1Kβ½2.6M
-26.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$109β½7,898
-23.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$6.07β½440
55.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$7.67β½556
214.34%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$36.10β½2,616
-29.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.18β½375
-20.85%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$329β½23.8K
-5.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,048β½510.7K
-14.97%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$70.8β½5,129
-18.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$43.72β½3,168
-25.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$112β½8,124
-11.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$108β½7,855
0.13%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$441β½31.9K
9.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$304β½22.0K
25.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$747β½54.1K
12.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$503β½36.5K
43.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,445β½177.1K
16.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,637β½118.7K
-25.31%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$847β½61.4K
-36.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
15.33
-12.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kislovodsk: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $441 in Kislovodsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Kislovodsk pays 57% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $39.00 in Kislovodsk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $194 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 Kislovodsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kislovodsk cheaper than Medellin?
Kislovodsk is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Kislovodsk?
On paper, Kislovodsk earns 57% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Kislovodsk?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $441 in Kislovodsk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Kislovodsk?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Kislovodsk?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $964 in Kislovodsk β a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Kislovodsk?
At $964 in Kislovodsk versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kislovodsk but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kislovodsk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Kislovodsk more family-friendly?
For families, Kislovodsk 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 safer, Medellin or Kislovodsk?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Kislovodsk are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Kislovodsk gentler on the wallet β expenses run 5% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.