πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,618 in Ludvika, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,698 in Ludvika, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $3,778 in Ludvika, rent included.
πMedellin is about 37% cheaper than Ludvika, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Ludvika is 20% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$13.41SEKΒ 126
-55.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$69.1SEKΒ 648
-51.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.65SEKΒ 99.9
-32.11%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.61SEKΒ 43.29
-64.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.83SEKΒ 26.56
-61.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.48SEKΒ 23.25
-70.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$7.51SEKΒ 70.5
-76.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.36SEKΒ 69.0
-56.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.86SEKΒ 17.42
-43.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$2.80SEKΒ 26.27
-53.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$4.08SEKΒ 38.31
-67.65%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.07SEKΒ 38.13
-44.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$14.15SEKΒ 133
-69.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$14.81SEKΒ 139
-60.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.67SEKΒ 147
-45.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.54SEKΒ 33.24
-36.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.71SEKΒ 25.43
-60.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$3.89SEKΒ 36.53
-60.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.34SEKΒ 40.71
-67.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.57SEKΒ 14.71
-25.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$2.09SEKΒ 19.65
-44.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.57SEKΒ 24.10
-65.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.60SEKΒ 15.03
-43.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.45SEKΒ 69.9
-69.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.64SEKΒ 99.8
3.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.70SEKΒ 15.99
-32.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.94SEKΒ 18.23
22.68%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$3.24SEKΒ 30.38
-74.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$54.3SEKΒ 509
-22.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$14.58SEKΒ 137
-90.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.66SEKΒ 15.58
14.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$21.27SEKΒ 200
-63.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.88SEKΒ 17.60
-46.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.5KSEKΒ 305.1K
-45.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$34.1KSEKΒ 319.8K
-22.28%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$88.2SEKΒ 827
-5.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$20.75SEKΒ 195
-54.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$36.44SEKΒ 342
-33.84%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$31.02SEKΒ 291
-18.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$52.9SEKΒ 496
-63.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$15.73SEKΒ 148
-73.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$146SEKΒ 1,366
114.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$748SEKΒ 7,020
700.84%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$104SEKΒ 971
-43.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$43.81SEKΒ 411
-25.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$114SEKΒ 1,067
-12.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$157SEKΒ 1,471
-30.77%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$473SEKΒ 4,434
2.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$459SEKΒ 4,303
-17.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,010SEKΒ 9,472
-17.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,003SEKΒ 9,408
-27.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ludvika
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$3,969SEKΒ 37.2K
-86.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4
235.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Ludvika: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $473 in Ludvika. 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 634% higher in Ludvika, 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 $69.0 in Ludvika. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $386 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 Ludvika: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Ludvika?
Ludvika costs about 59% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Ludvika?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $2,428 in Ludvika. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Ludvika?
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.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Ludvika?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $146 in Ludvika. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Ludvika?
Groceries cost about 103% more in Ludvika, 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 $1,500/month in Medellin or Ludvika?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Ludvika at $1,618. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ludvika it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Ludvika?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,017 versus $1,618 in Ludvika. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Ludvika?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ludvika makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.