Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kostroma

For one person, living is cheaper in Kostroma: $1,312 a month against $1,625 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Kostroma
🇷🇺 Russia
$1,312
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Kostroma

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Kostroma actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $1,312 in Kostroma, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Kostroma $1,312

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $2,085 in Kostroma, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Kostroma $2,085

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $2,859 in Kostroma, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Kostroma $2,859

Medellin costs about 24% more than Kostroma, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Kostroma is 3% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.3K
$12.01 ₽1,002
-30.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 148.7K
$61.1 ₽5,102
-23.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.3K
$7.20 ₽601
28.33%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,676
$3.91 ₽326
-21.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,707
$1.62 ₽136
11.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,382
$0.85 ₽71.1
62.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.3K
$1.80 ₽150
80.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.6K
$5.29 ₽441
5.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,760
$1.24 ₽103
20.97%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,508
$1.01 ₽84.3
134.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,377
$1.68 ₽140
1.19%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,379
$1.88 ₽157
57.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.4K
$14.95 ₽1,248
-31.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.9K
$6.93 ₽578
40.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 44.1K
$14.95 ₽1,248
-7.02%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.1K
$2.17 ₽181
90.32%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,839
$1.82 ₽152
-15.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 7,052
$1.98 ₽165
12.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,194
$3.96 ₽330
-42.68%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,311
$0.89 ₽74.0
123.60%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,285
$0.70 ₽58.7
138.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,742
$1.65 ₽137
-28.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,919
$0.93 ₽78.0
33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.3K
$3.49 ₽291
10.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.7K
$12.31 ₽1,027
11.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,256
$1.22 ₽102
36.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,615
$2.54 ₽212
-5.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,944
$0.54 ₽45.15
129.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 248.0K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,044
$3.62 ₽302
-64.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,803
$0.34 ₽28.73
532.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.5K
$11.94 ₽996
-29.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,288
$0.88 ₽73.3
53.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 110.2M
$42.4K ₽3.5M
-17.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 110.0M
$40.1K ₽3.3M
-13.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 528.4K
$191 ₽16.0K
-12.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 43.2K
$8.70 ₽726
56.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 92.3K
$9.88 ₽825
194.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 143.0K
$40.32 ₽3,365
11.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.5K
$25.01 ₽2,087
-31.31%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 22.1K
$9.47 ₽791
-26.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$344 ₽28.7K
129.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.7M
$6,317 ₽527.2K
43.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 278.4K
$114 ₽9,511
-22.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 184.4K
$67.6 ₽5,645
-14.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 440.7K
$148 ₽12.3K
-6.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 313.5K
$189 ₽15.8K
-47.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$500 ₽41.8K
105.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 2.0M
$340 ₽28.3K
82.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 6.0M
$837 ₽69.9K
124.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
$643 ₽53.6K
56.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.6M
$2,226 ₽185.8K
79.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
$1,489 ₽124.3K
14.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kostroma
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
$762 ₽63.6K
-12.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
19.56
-44.07%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Kostroma: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Kostroma
$340 45.2% $280
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Kostroma
$268 10% $30
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Kostroma
$210 0.3% $0.5
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Kostroma
$233 35.1% $61
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Kostroma
$194 13.6% $23
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Kostroma
$7.5 * 92.1% $88
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Kostroma
$59 0.4% $0.2

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $500 in Kostroma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 15% higher in Kostroma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin versus $61.0 in Kostroma. Groceries tell a different story – $298 in Medellin vs $268 in Kostroma – so Kostroma wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇷🇺 Kostroma
🕒 Local time
05:50 5:50 AM
13:50 1:50 PM
8 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
277,393
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

RUB, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

Russian Ruble exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 83.46 RUB (100 RUB = 1.2 USD). 1 EUR = 93.83 RUB (100 RUB = 1.07 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Kostroma 10,930 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Kostroma

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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?
Medellin costs about 24% more than Kostroma, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 and in Kostroma?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $1,968 in Kostroma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Kostroma?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kostroma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Kostroma?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin and $61.0 in Kostroma. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Kostroma?
Groceries cost about 11% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Kostroma?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kostroma, where all-in costs run around $1,312, than in Medellin at $1,625. In Kostroma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin 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. Kostroma costs $1,312 versus $1,625 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or to Kostroma?
If budget matters most, go with Kostroma. 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.

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