Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ma'anCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ma'an
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $752 in Ma'an, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,213 in Ma'an, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,674 in Ma'an, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 35% more than Ma'an, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Ma'an are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ma'an44% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.13JODΒ 5.05
-16.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$49.30JODΒ 34.90
-32.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.91JODΒ 4.89
4.63%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,686
$4.20JODΒ 2.97
-61.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,820
$0.48JODΒ 0.34
127.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.37JODΒ 0.26
97.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,064
$5.71JODΒ 4.04
-69.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.08JODΒ 5.01
-54.38%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,661
$1.48JODΒ 1.04
-29.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,514
$0.56JODΒ 0.39
130.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,616
$1.63JODΒ 1.16
-19.02%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,926
$2.57JODΒ 1.82
-11.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$6.83JODΒ 4.83
-36.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.49JODΒ 4.59
-9.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.27JODΒ 7.98
-23.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,842
$2.06JODΒ 1.46
9.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,732
$1.76JODΒ 1.25
-39.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,321
$1.41JODΒ 1.00
7.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,963
$0.75JODΒ 0.53
89.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,083
$0.88JODΒ 0.62
32.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,076
$0.74JODΒ 0.52
58.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,095
$0.66JODΒ 0.46
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,145
$0.63JODΒ 0.45
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,835
$3.51JODΒ 2.48
-35.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$21.45JODΒ 15.19
-48.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,976
$4.63JODΒ 3.27
-75.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,299
$5.49JODΒ 3.89
-56.65%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,915
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,911
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
107.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,633
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.20JODΒ 5.10
7.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,508
$1.47JODΒ 1.04
-31.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.3M
$27.1KJODΒ 19.2K
-35.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.4M
$32.8KJODΒ 23.2K
-19.30%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.0K
$105JODΒ 74.4
-20.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.67JODΒ 11.80
-43.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$32.13JODΒ 22.74
-24.96%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.35JODΒ 8.04
-63.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$276JODΒ 195
13.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,331JODΒ 3,774
12.42%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.5K
$61.8JODΒ 43.73
-6.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$57.5JODΒ 40.73
-43.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.6K
$114JODΒ 80.9
-12.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.7K
$79.1JODΒ 56.0
37.25%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ma'an
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Ma'an: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $49.00 in Ma'an. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $245 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 Ma'an: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Ma'an compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $752 in Ma'an β roughly 35% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Ma'an?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,128 in Ma'an. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Ma'an, where all-in costs run around $752, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Ma'an 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 Ma'an?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $752 in Ma'an to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Ma'an?
If budget matters most, go with Ma'an. 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.