Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kitwe Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kitwe

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $214 in Kitwe, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $350 in Kitwe, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $486 in Kitwe, rent included.

Medellin costs about 368% more than Kitwe, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Medellin and Kitwe are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Kitwe 84% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.6K

$2.88 ZMW 53.6

105.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 103.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.4K

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,207

$1.44 ZMW 26.87

14.58%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,468

$0.56 ZMW 10.51

96.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,458

$0.39 ZMW 7.34

100.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,412

$0.92 ZMW 17.17

86.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.0K

$1.45 ZMW 26.98

119.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,474

$0.92 ZMW 17.22

19.57%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 3,962

$1.15 ZMW 21.40

9.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,349

$3.74 ZMW 69.8

-63.10%

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,858

$1.84 ZMW 34.36

18.48%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.2K

$7.19 ZMW 134

-19.47%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.2K

$6.50 ZMW 121

38.00%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,308

$2.98 ZMW 55.6

-22.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,352

$1.16 ZMW 21.69

-8.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,774

$1.17 ZMW 21.75

29.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,270

$1.16 ZMW 21.56

17.24%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,552

$2.97 ZMW 55.4

-61.95%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,689

$2.38 ZMW 44.34

-50.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,838

$1.16 ZMW 21.58

-22.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,823

$0.60 ZMW 11.20

50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,034

$1.79 ZMW 33.47

24.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,743

$0.75 ZMW 14.00

58.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,815

$1.48 ZMW 27.63

67.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,687

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 131.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,459

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,141

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 24.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,118

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 55.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 84.4M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$83.0 COP 261.4K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.70 COP 30.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 74.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 79.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.4K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$316 COP 994.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 188.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 100.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 320.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 338.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Last update for Kitwe: July 26, 2026

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 Kitwe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $214 in Kitwe – roughly 368% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $321 in Kitwe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $214 in Kitwe. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 19% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kitwe, where all-in costs run around $214, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Kitwe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $214 in Kitwe to $1,003 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Kitwe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.