πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,128 in Kostroma, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,719 in Kostroma, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,310 in Kostroma, rent included.
πMedellin is about 10% cheaper than Kostroma, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Kostroma are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Kostroma16% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$12.88β½940
-53.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$57.5β½4,199
-42.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.26β½457
13.26%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$3.20β½234
-46.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.40β½102
-21.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.67β½48.80
16.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$4.40β½321
-61.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$4.43β½323
-30.70%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.24β½90.5
-12.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.55β½39.84
129.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.58β½115
-12.66%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.47β½108
48.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.22β½673
-52.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.54β½331
24.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$9.87β½720
-9.93%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.48β½108
58.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.53β½112
-30.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.28β½93.3
17.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.29β½168
-39.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.99β½72.3
16.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.72β½52.4
61.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.17β½85.1
-23.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.64β½46.78
31.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.16β½231
-27.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$6.28β½459
69.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.07β½78.0
12.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.36β½172
4.66%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.46β½33.58
86.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$21.87β½1,596
89.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.53β½112
-3.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.12β½8.86
1533.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.52β½549
2.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.79β½57.8
20.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$26.0Kβ½1.9M
-30.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$29.5Kβ½2.2M
-10.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$149β½10.9K
-44.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$7.91β½577
20.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$5.04β½368
380.75%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$25.50β½1,862
1.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.49β½474
-39.45%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$703β½51.3K
-55.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$14.8Kβ½1.1M
-59.80%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$87.5β½6,389
-32.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$52.5β½3,834
-38.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$134β½9,760
-23.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$164β½12.0K
-33.99%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$444β½32.4K
7.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$301β½22.0K
25.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$768β½56.0K
9.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$499β½36.4K
45.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,088β½152.4K
33.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,051β½76.7K
15.29%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,075β½78.5K
-52.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
14.67
-8.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kostroma: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $444 in Kostroma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 110% higher in Kostroma, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $58.0 in Kostroma. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $183 in Kostroma β so Kostroma wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Kostroma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Kostroma?
Kostroma costs about 11% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Kostroma?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,692 in Kostroma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Kostroma?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Kostroma?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Kostroma β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Kostroma?
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Kostroma?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Kostroma at $1,128. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kostroma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Kostroma?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,013 versus $1,128 in Kostroma. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Kostroma?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kostroma makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.