πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $947 in Lumut, Perak.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,416 in Lumut, Perak.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,884 in Lumut, Perak.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 7% more expensive than Lumut, Perak, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Lumut, Perak29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.60MYRΒ 14.26
66.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$11.55MYRΒ 45.80
184.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$4.69MYRΒ 18.61
51.17%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.75MYRΒ 10.91
-37.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.84MYRΒ 3.31
30.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.33MYRΒ 1.32
136.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$3.71MYRΒ 14.71
-54.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$6.00MYRΒ 23.77
-48.83%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$2.08MYRΒ 8.23
-47.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.00MYRΒ 3.97
26.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.73MYRΒ 6.86
-20.23%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.17MYRΒ 8.62
0.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$14.75MYRΒ 58.5
-70.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.58MYRΒ 18.15
22.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$9.88MYRΒ 39.18
-10.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.84MYRΒ 11.27
-17.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.56MYRΒ 6.20
-32.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.70MYRΒ 10.70
-44.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.48MYRΒ 5.86
-6.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.23MYRΒ 4.88
-6.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.33MYRΒ 5.28
-12.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.20MYRΒ 4.77
-25.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.67MYRΒ 2.64
25.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$4.18MYRΒ 16.58
-45.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$19.21MYRΒ 76.2
-44.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$3.33MYRΒ 13.22
-63.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$4.26MYRΒ 16.88
-42.02%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.74MYRΒ 2.94
16.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$11.99MYRΒ 47.55
245.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.16MYRΒ 4.58
26.72%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.15MYRΒ 4.57
70.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$4.78MYRΒ 18.97
61.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.47MYRΒ 1.88
102.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.3KMYRΒ 159.9K
-55.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$32.2KMYRΒ 127.7K
-17.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$64.0MYRΒ 254
28.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$11.61MYRΒ 46.04
-18.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$25.39MYRΒ 101
-4.57%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$37.06MYRΒ 147
-30.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$5.77MYRΒ 22.87
229.29%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.22MYRΒ 20.71
-24.71%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$270MYRΒ 1,070
14.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$9,523MYRΒ 37.8K
-37.36%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$61.2MYRΒ 243
-4.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$37.04MYRΒ 147
-12.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$85.7MYRΒ 340
19.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$81.2MYRΒ 322
33.62%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$390MYRΒ 1,545
22.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$269MYRΒ 1,067
40.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$636MYRΒ 2,521
31.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$471MYRΒ 1,868
53.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,899MYRΒ 7,528
46.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$958MYRΒ 3,798
26.47%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Lumut, Perak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$389MYRΒ 1,544
31.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.47
200.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Lumut, Perak: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $390 in Lumut, Perak. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 31% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $12.00 in Lumut, Perak. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $268, 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 β living expenses run 7% 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 Lumut, Perak?
Medellin pays 31% more on average, 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 vs Lumut, Perak?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $390 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 vs Lumut, Perak?
Dining out is cheaper in Lumut, Perak β 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 $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $947 in Lumut, Perak β a 7% 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 Lumut, Perak?
At $947 in Lumut, Perak versus $1,013 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 β similar infrastructure at $947 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 β expenses run 7% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.