πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $963 in Kislovodsk.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $1,494 in Kislovodsk.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $2,026 in Kislovodsk.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 7% more expensive than Kislovodsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Kislovodsk28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$9.76β½733
-39.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$37.59β½2,823
-12.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$5.54β½416
29.96%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.28β½171
-25.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.07β½80.4
2.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.52β½38.77
38.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.42β½106
17.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$2.58β½194
20.16%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.10β½82.5
-3.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.71β½53.5
76.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.38β½104
0.72%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.77β½133
27.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$10.92β½820
-60.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$4.89β½367
19.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$8.67β½651
1.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.73β½130
29.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.90β½142
-43.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.91β½144
-19.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.71β½203
-49.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.86β½64.4
31.40%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.70β½52.6
60.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.36β½102
-37.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.67β½50.6
35.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.88β½216
-19.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$6.86β½515
62.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$0.93β½70.0
27.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.94β½146
22.16%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.49β½36.55
61.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.85β½139
-22.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.35β½26.35
445.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$6.20β½466
29.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.77β½57.6
22.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$34.4Kβ½2.6M
-47.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$36.1Kβ½2.7M
-25.86%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$109β½8,187
-22.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$5.81β½437
65.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$7.95β½597
203.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$34.99β½2,628
-26.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$5.01β½376
-21.76%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$319β½23.9K
-3.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$7,106β½533.8K
-16.71%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$68.8β½5,168
-15.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$44.40β½3,335
-28.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$112β½8,434
-11.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$107β½8,009
0.48%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$443β½33.3K
9.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$301β½22.6K
22.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$757β½56.8K
9.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$501β½37.6K
43.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$2,068β½155.3K
41.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,526β½114.7K
-7.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kislovodsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$850β½63.8K
-35.79%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Kislovodsk: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $443 in Kislovodsk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Kislovodsk pays 56% 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 $38.00 in Kislovodsk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $195 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 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Kislovodsk?
On paper, Kislovodsk earns 56% 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: $487 in Medellin versus $443 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 3% 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 $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $963 in Kislovodsk β a 7% 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 $963 in Kislovodsk versus $1,034 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 7% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.