πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $805 in Kutaisi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,216 in Kutaisi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,627 in Kutaisi, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 26% more than Kutaisi, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Kutaisi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Kutaisi40% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.19βΎ24.41
-34.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$29.49βΎ78.3
11.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.99βΎ23.87
-21.13%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$1.77βΎ4.70
-3.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.63βΎ1.67
74.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.44βΎ1.16
77.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.09βΎ2.89
54.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$1.79βΎ4.77
71.51%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.94βΎ5.14
-43.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.43βΎ1.14
193.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$1.09βΎ2.91
26.61%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.24βΎ5.95
-2.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.37βΎ16.93
-30.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.79βΎ12.72
17.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$9.98βΎ26.52
-10.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.22βΎ3.24
91.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.55βΎ4.11
-31.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.37βΎ3.63
9.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$1.50βΎ3.97
-8.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.71βΎ1.89
61.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.76βΎ2.02
52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.08βΎ2.87
-17.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.53βΎ1.41
58.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$2.94βΎ7.81
-22.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$3.79βΎ10.06
180.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.22βΎ3.23
-1.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.96βΎ5.21
26.02%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.34βΎ0.91
152.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$16.65βΎ44.22
148.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$0.71βΎ1.90
107.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.70βΎ1.86
180.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.35βΎ16.85
21.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.10βΎ2.91
-13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$21.6KβΎ57.2K
-15.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$24.0KβΎ63.9K
10.15%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$65.7βΎ174
25.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$7.01βΎ18.62
35.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$13.63βΎ36.20
77.77%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$37.78βΎ100
-31.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$7.89βΎ20.95
140.81%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.97βΎ13.20
-20.93%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$123βΎ326
151.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$2,550βΎ6,773
133.92%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$40.03βΎ106
46.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$33.37βΎ88.6
-3.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$87.1βΎ231
17.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$89.2βΎ237
21.53%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$300βΎ796
58.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$243βΎ645
56.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$469βΎ1,245
78.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$326βΎ867
121.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,074βΎ2,852
159.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$682βΎ1,812
77.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kutaisi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$455βΎ1,208
12.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
14.75
-8.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Kutaisi: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $300 in Kutaisi. 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 13% higher in Medellin, 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 $29.00 in Kutaisi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $170 β making Kutaisi 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 Kutaisi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Kutaisi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $805 in Kutaisi β roughly 26% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Kutaisi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,207 in Kutaisi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Kutaisi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kutaisi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
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.
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kutaisi, where all-in costs run around $805, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Kutaisi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kutaisi?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $805 in Kutaisi to $1,013 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Kutaisi safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Kutaisi?
If budget matters most, go with Kutaisi. 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.