😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $176 in Kourou.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $315 in Kourou.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $454 in Kourou.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 469% more expensive than in Kourou, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin25% lower, Kourou87% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$2.01€1.74
-37.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
-
-
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$7.10€6.15
-69.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$4.47€3.87
-48.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$2.32€2.01
-54.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$7.89€6.84
-82.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$2.52€2.18
-55.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$6.80€5.89
-82.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$2.26€1.96
-60.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$2.02€1.75
-55.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,511€1,308
-68.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kourou
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Kourou: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $1,511 in Kourou. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
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 Kourou: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Kourou?
Medellin and Kourou differ by about 469% in total monthly costs ($1,003 vs $176 including rent). Kourou is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Kourou?
You'd need roughly $1,504 in Medellin and $264 in Kourou to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and in Kourou?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $1,511 in Kourou. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 8% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Kourou?
All in, you'll spend $1,003 per month in Medellin versus $176 in Kourou – a 469% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $176 in Kourou versus $1,003 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kourou but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Kourou the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kourou?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Kourou?
Expats usually find Kourou gentler on the wallet – expenses run 469% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.