πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,684 in Libreville, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,740 in Libreville, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,795 in Libreville, rent included.
πMedellin is about 40% cheaper than Libreville, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Libreville is 26% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$17.45FCFAΒ 9,839
-65.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$79.7FCFAΒ 44.9K
-58.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$13.18FCFAΒ 7,435
-46.21%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$6.25FCFAΒ 3,525
-72.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.46FCFAΒ 823
-24.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$1.38FCFAΒ 777
-43.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.09FCFAΒ 615
54.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.63FCFAΒ 919
88.34%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$2.98FCFAΒ 1,679
-63.42%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.47FCFAΒ 829
-14.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$4.20FCFAΒ 2,367
-67.14%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$5.33FCFAΒ 3,005
-58.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.20FCFAΒ 5,186
-52.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$8.59FCFAΒ 4,845
-34.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$26.56FCFAΒ 15.0K
-66.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$4.43FCFAΒ 2,500
-47.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$4.38FCFAΒ 2,472
-75.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$3.63FCFAΒ 2,046
-58.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$3.47FCFAΒ 1,956
-60.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$3.57FCFAΒ 2,011
-67.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$3.56FCFAΒ 2,009
-67.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$3.60FCFAΒ 2,031
-75.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$1.96FCFAΒ 1,105
-57.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.58FCFAΒ 1,452
-11.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$11.74FCFAΒ 6,620
-9.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.91FCFAΒ 511
31.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.73FCFAΒ 974
42.77%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.91FCFAΒ 513
-5.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$48.43FCFAΒ 27.3K
-14.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.30FCFAΒ 731
13.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.76FCFAΒ 428
157.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$17.77FCFAΒ 10.0K
-56.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.04FCFAΒ 588
-8.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$30.5KFCFAΒ 17.2M
-40.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$23.1KFCFAΒ 13.0M
14.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$86.9FCFAΒ 49.0K
-5.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$34.91FCFAΒ 19.7K
-72.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$69.5FCFAΒ 39.2K
-65.15%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$66.8FCFAΒ 37.7K
-61.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$26.14FCFAΒ 14.7K
-27.31%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.50FCFAΒ 2,535
-12.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$179FCFAΒ 100.9K
73.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,755FCFAΒ 3.2M
3.66%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$89.1FCFAΒ 50.3K
-34.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$43.72FCFAΒ 24.7K
-26.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$52.5FCFAΒ 29.6K
95.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$108FCFAΒ 60.7K
0.79%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,162FCFAΒ 655.5K
-59.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$528FCFAΒ 297.5K
-28.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,600FCFAΒ 1.5M
-67.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$999FCFAΒ 563.4K
-27.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$3,593FCFAΒ 2.0M
-22.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,870FCFAΒ 1.6M
-57.79%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Libreville
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$435FCFAΒ 245.5K
17.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
10
34.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Libreville: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,162 in Libreville. 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 18% higher in Medellin, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $80.0 in Libreville. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $400 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 Libreville: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Libreville compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $1,684 in Libreville β roughly 66% apart. Libreville costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Libreville?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,527 in Libreville. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Libreville?
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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Libreville?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,684 in Libreville. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Libreville?
Public transport costs about 17% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Libreville at $1,684. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Libreville it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Libreville?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $1,684 in Libreville. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Libreville?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Libreville makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.