πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,011 in Kurgan, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,544 in Kurgan, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,076 in Kurgan, rent included.
πMedellin and Kurgan have comparable living costs β the differences are in the details.
πBoth Medellin and Kurgan are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Kurgan25% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$6.37β½465
-5.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$45.10β½3,292
-27.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$5.75β½419
23.30%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.27β½166
-24.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.23β½89.5
-10.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.40β½28.93
95.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$0.92β½67.0
82.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.93β½141
59.07%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.03β½75.3
5.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.56β½41.09
125.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.45β½106
-4.83%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.34β½98.1
63.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.11β½738
-56.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.09β½518
-20.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$11.51β½840
-22.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.85β½135
26.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.05β½150
-48.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.04β½149
-26.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$3.48β½254
-60.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.11β½81.3
3.60%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.80β½58.2
45.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.58β½42.36
53.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.55β½40.04
52.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.49β½181
-8.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.72β½418
86.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.90β½65.7
33.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.64β½120
50.61%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.52β½38.20
65.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.94β½142
-24.23%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.33β½23.93
493.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$5.45β½398
42.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.78β½56.6
21.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$61.6Kβ½4.5M
-70.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$31.4Kβ½2.3M
-15.62%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$140β½10.2K
-41.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$5.16β½377
84.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$7.60β½555
218.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$36.13β½2,637
-28.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.91β½285
0.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$451β½33.0K
-31.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$4,504β½328.8K
32.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$26.20β½1,913
123.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$16.54β½1,207
95.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$161β½11.7K
-36.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$186β½13.6K
-41.79%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$450β½32.8K
5.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$305β½22.2K
24.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$770β½56.2K
8.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$514β½37.5K
40.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kurgan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$773β½56.5K
-33.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.45
-0.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kurgan: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $450 in Kurgan. 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 51% higher in Kurgan. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $45.00 in Kurgan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $208 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Kurgan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,517 in Kurgan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kurgan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $451 in Kurgan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Kurgan?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kurgan, where all-in costs run around $1,011, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Kurgan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Kurgan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kurgan β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Kurgan. 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.