Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Machala Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Machala

😐 Solo nomad: Medellin is 13.7% more expensive than Machala without rent, and 57.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Medellin is 19.5% more expensive than Machala without rent, and 49% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.23 COP 26K
$2.56 $2.56
143.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 COP 134.8K
$24.42 $24.42
32.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.39 COP 30.8K
$6.55 $6.55
12.82%
Cappuccino
$1.72 COP 7,155
$2.63 $2.63
-34.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.1 COP 4,575
$0.73 $0.73
50.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 COP 3,060
$0.51 $0.51
43.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.66 COP 6,916
$2.02 $2.02
-17.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.2 COP 13.3K
$4.63 $4.63
-30.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 COP 4,552
$1.06 $1.06
2.83%
White Bread (500g)
$1.24 COP 5,188
$1.04 $1.04
19.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 COP 5,544
$0.97 $0.97
37.11%
Eggs
$2.22 COP 9,252
$1.44 $1.44
54.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.55 COP 19K
$3.23 $3.23
40.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.71 COP 23.8K
$4.02 $4.02
42.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.59 COP 35.8K
$4.62 $4.62
85.93%
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 COP 9,410
$2.1 $2.1
7.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 COP 4,461
$1.05 $1.05
1.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.51 COP 6,293
$0.72 $0.72
109.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 COP 5,911
$1.04 $1.04
36.54%
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 COP 4,619
$0.39 $0.39
184.62%
Onion (1kg)
$1.18 COP 4,932
$0.52 $0.52
126.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.89 COP 3,718
$0.4 $0.4
122.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 COP 3,507
$1.03 $1.03
-18.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35 COP 9,809
$4.45 $4.45
-47.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.34 COP 38.9K
$7.45 $7.45
25.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 COP 4,927
$1.62 $1.62
-27.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 COP 10.4K
$2.23 $2.23
11.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Machala
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.83 COP 3,464
$0.34 $0.34
144.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.9 COP 174.7K
$21.64 $21.64
93.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 COP 5,899
$1.53 $1.53
-7.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.96 COP 8,164
$0.98 $0.98
100.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.85 COP 32.7K
$7.93 $7.93
-1.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 COP 4,265
$0.61 $0.61
67.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K COP 73.4M
$18K $18K
-2.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K COP 109.2M
$22.3K $22.3K
17.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.5 COP 344.1K
$37.64 $37.64
119.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.44 COP 39.4K
$13.9 $13.9
-32.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.51 COP 98K
$26.22 $26.22
-10.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.68 COP 107.1K
$42.15 $42.15
-39.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14 COP 79.8K
$30.56 $30.56
-37.37%
Cinema Ticket
$3.96 COP 16.5K
$5.12 $5.12
-22.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 COP 1.3M
$134 $134
127.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,925 COP 24.7M
$5,859 $5,859
1.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9 COP 241.4K
$51.6 $51.6
12.30%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.59 COP 131.7K
$42.82 $42.82
-26.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 COP 430.1K
$78.9 $78.9
30.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 COP 440.5K
$69.5 $69.5
52.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Machala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$489 COP 2M
$188 $188
160.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$379 COP 1.6M
$131 $131
188.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$827 COP 3.4M
$344 $344
140.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$729 COP 3M
$264 $264
176.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,190 COP 9.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,532 COP 6.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Machala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$550 COP 2.3M
$455 $455
20.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
5
168.60%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 28, 2025

Last update for Machala: October 28, 2025

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