😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,031 in Medellin versus $925 in Lumut, Perak.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,599 in Medellin versus $1,374 in Lumut, Perak.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,167 in Medellin versus $1,823 in Lumut, Perak.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 11% more expensive than in Lumut, Perak, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Lumut, Perak31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$3.63MYR 14.86
69.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$11.56MYR 47.27
182.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$4.75MYR 19.44
54.53%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
$2.86MYR 11.69
-39.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$0.84MYR 3.45
25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$0.36MYR 1.49
113.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
$3.63MYR 14.87
-53.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$5.91MYR 24.17
-46.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$1.99MYR 8.13
-47.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$1.05MYR 4.31
23.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$1.70MYR 6.97
-17.65%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$2.19MYR 8.94
-1.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$14.49MYR 59.3
-69.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$4.69MYR 19.16
25.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$9.43MYR 38.57
-8.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$2.91MYR 11.88
-21.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.63MYR 6.65
-31.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$2.60MYR 10.64
-41.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$1.48MYR 6.05
-8.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$1.28MYR 5.25
-11.72%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$1.39MYR 5.70
-18.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$1.21MYR 4.95
-29.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$0.63MYR 2.57
44.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$4.35MYR 17.79
-46.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$18.76MYR 76.7
-34.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$3.21MYR 13.13
-62.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$4.26MYR 17.42
-41.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,727
$0.68MYR 2.78
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
$11.99MYR 49.03
238.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$1.21MYR 4.93
17.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$1.10MYR 4.51
74.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$4.58MYR 18.74
67.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$0.48MYR 1.96
106.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$40.2KMYR 164.2K
-55.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$32.1KMYR 131.2K
-17.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$63.3MYR 259
27.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$11.42MYR 46.70
-12.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$25.41MYR 104
-4.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
$37.39MYR 153
-32.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
$5.77MYR 23.59
231.89%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$5.31MYR 21.72
-25.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$267MYR 1,092
14.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$9,479MYR 38.8K
-36.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$61.8MYR 253
-5.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$38.08MYR 156
-15.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$87.4MYR 358
15.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$81.1MYR 332
32.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$394MYR 1,610
21.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$267MYR 1,094
40.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$635MYR 2,595
33.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$462MYR 1,890
58.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
$2,060MYR 8,424
56.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
$1,147MYR 4,692
19.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
$382MYR 1,564
61.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.47
200.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Lumut, Perak: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $477 in Medellin and $394 in Lumut, Perak. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 61% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $12.00 in Lumut, Perak. Groceries flip the comparison at $193 vs $264, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Lumut, Perak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Lumut, Perak?
Lumut, Perak wins on cost – living expenses run 11% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Lumut, Perak the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or in Lumut, Perak?
Average pay runs 61% higher in Medellin, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Lumut, Perak?
Rent for a central apartment: $477 in Medellin versus $394 in Lumut, Perak. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Lumut, Perak?
Dining out is cheaper in Lumut, Perak – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Lumut, Perak?
All in, you'll spend $1,031 per month in Medellin versus $925 in Lumut, Perak – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Lumut, Perak?
At $925 in Lumut, Perak versus $1,031 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Lumut, Perak but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Lumut, Perak the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Lumut, Perak?
Both work as nomad bases, but Lumut, Perak delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $925 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Lumut, Perak hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Lumut, Perak?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Lumut, Perak are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Lumut, Perak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.